Honda Insight 2010 car review

New car report; Hatch with benefits.

Honda NZ’s launch of the all-new Insight could not have got off to a better start. In October this year, the car was crowned the Supreme winner of the AA Energywise Rally. Based on the actual costs to complete the 1763 kilometre four day event and competing against petrol, diesel and other hybrids, the Insight edged out the Toyota Prius by the narrowest of margins, the difference between the two hybrids being the Insight’s ability to operate on the lower priced 91 octane fuel.

The winning drivers achieved 4.6l/100kms (61.39 mpg) which matches the official Honda claimed figure.

The Insight is powered by a dual power plant unit featuring some of Honda’s most advanced environmental technology. Its high-tech 1.3 litre engine features not only a 2-stage i-VTEC system that gives Variable Cylinder Management, but also a dual spark ignition system. This, coupled with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) provides a total output of 72kW and 167Nm of torque.

Unlike the Civic Hybrid which was adapted from a conventional petrol model, the Insight is a dedicated hybrid car. Built on the Jazz platform, the wedge shaped aerodynamic body styling leaves you in no doubt the Insight’s pedigree as a hybrid as it does share some very close similarities with the Toyota Prius.

Fuel-saving and practicality

Apart from the Hybrid’s obvious fuel-saving advantages, which Honda claims to be 40% over that of a traditional petrol engine, the Insight offers a good deal of practicality.

While Honda’s IMA is a very simple system, it does answer a very complex question; “How can frugal fuel-efficiency, low CO2 emissions and all the advantages of hybrid technology be achieved in a practical, affordable vehicle?”

Simplicity is Honda’s key marketing message, with the light weight, low production cost, compact hybrid system being the ideal cost-effective solution to powering a practical 5 door hatchback.

The original hybrid Insight was released in 1999 as a two door coupe and while it never set any sales records, it’s a reminder that Honda’s commitment to this technology stretches over a considerable period.

Mr Yasunari Seki, Insight Large Project Leader who attended the Insight press launch in Australia said “Our engineers have shown great tenacity and skill in reducing the cost of our IMA system to allow us to reduce the build costs of the Insight. By using so many components that are manufactured in-house, we have the ability in the market to continuously refine our processes in a way an outside supplier might not.”

The plan to produce and sell a much larger number of hybrid cars leads to a lower final cost per unit through economies of scale. To achieve these numbers, a new electric motor production line has been added to the Suzuka factory in Japan, which will double its per hour production capacity for IMA motors.

In layman’s terms the driving experience comes down to a turn-key operation exactly the same as operating a conventional petrol car. Once underway the Honda hybrid system is seamless and blends both the electric and petrol power trains as and when a boost in power is required or fuel can be saved.

An Idle Stop system cuts the engine when the car is at a standstill, at traffic lights for example, but the instant the brake pedal is released the engine fires up again in readiness for action.

Priced from just $35,600, with options of leather and sport pack, Honda NZ has around 120 confirmed orders for November, with the Insight expected to set new monthly sales records in NZ for Hybrids.

There are some signs of cost-cutting with rear drum brakes instead of discs and the lack of any security on the fuel cap, but the overall package represents great value for money.

Generous boot space

Lift the tailgate and there’s a generous 400 litres of usable boot space when the seats are up which increases to 584 litres (floor to window line) when the seats are down. Under the floor, there’s even a space to stow the (optional) tonneau cover.

Standard equipment on all variants is cruise control and steering wheel-mounted paddles enabling the driver to manually shift through seven simulated steps in the CVT transmission.

Unlike the current model Jazz, Electronic Stability Control (VSA) is standard equipment on the Insight.

Honda quotes a mixed cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.6L/100km and CO2 emissions of 106g/km, which, driven carefully is very believable judging by our press drive in Australia where over a 200km run, we managed to achieve a 5.0l/100km average.

An Econ button displays a green tree on the instrument panel, and activates several functions to enhance fuel economy. The Idle Stop feature engages sooner and for longer, the air conditioning changes to recirculate mode, while the fan speed is reduced and throttle response and transmission protocols are altered.

Power is reduced in this mode, but for safety reasons peak power is still available when the throttle is floored.

The large digital speedo is surrounded by a back-lit halo which displays pale green when the car is being driven frugally and changes through various shades of turquoise through to dark blue when being driven with reckless disregard for the planet.

And to encourage economic driving and introduce a little challenge for the driver, at the end of a journey when the key is turned off, a display of leaves will show how much foliage a driver has grown, with a really eco-focused driver eventually earning a congratulatory trophy symbol.

The debate continues to rage over future methods of fuelling our mobility. But whatever your perspective, hybrids are a key stepping-stone in paving the road to zero emissions.

Hybrids might not be everyone’s cup of green tea, but at this price and with this much practicality the Honda Insight poses a compelling argument on their behalf.