Honda Insight Hybrid 1.3 G (A) Review
10 Oct 2009|145,596 views
Honda made its first furore into the hybrid car market back in 1999 when it launched the first Insight. Back then, the first generation Insight revolutionised hybrid car design by being the first hybrid to feature optimized aerodynamics and feather weight aluminium structure. This in turn maximised fuel efficiency and minimized emissions in the process.
The two seat, three door hatchback design featured a sleek body that told of its aerodynamic prowess and afforded it with modest proportions. It even featured rear fenders that covered the rear wheels to maximise the silky airflow over its contours. Looking very much like a car driven off the 1990 movie ‘Total Recall’, the Insight suddenly made the Prius of the day look antiquated with its staid sedan design.
The first generation Insight was powered by a 70bhp 1-litre petrol unit working in tandem with a 13bhp electric motor through Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist system (IMA). Unlike the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the Prius with its planetary gear system, the IMA system has the electric motor placed between the engine and transmission which limited the motor’s role in assisting and starting the engine without a standalone capability. Even though the electric motor couldn’t be used on its own, it could store energy when the brakes are applied and reuse this energy later to assist in the vehicle’s acceleration.
The two seat, three door hatchback design featured a sleek body that told of its aerodynamic prowess and afforded it with modest proportions. It even featured rear fenders that covered the rear wheels to maximise the silky airflow over its contours. Looking very much like a car driven off the 1990 movie ‘Total Recall’, the Insight suddenly made the Prius of the day look antiquated with its staid sedan design.
The first generation Insight was powered by a 70bhp 1-litre petrol unit working in tandem with a 13bhp electric motor through Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist system (IMA). Unlike the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the Prius with its planetary gear system, the IMA system has the electric motor placed between the engine and transmission which limited the motor’s role in assisting and starting the engine without a standalone capability. Even though the electric motor couldn’t be used on its own, it could store energy when the brakes are applied and reuse this energy later to assist in the vehicle’s acceleration.
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Design
Fast forward to 2009 and Honda has released the latest iteration of the Insight. On first impressions, the Insight looks frighteningly familiar and makes one wonder if hybrid cars from the different manufacturers are coming off the same production line as the Prius.
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If an Insight zoomed past you fast enough (I know the Insight doesn’t go anywhere quick but I did say ‘if’), you’ll be hard pressed to differentiate it from a Prius. But fortunately for the Insight, on closer inspection it’d be quite unfair to call it a Prius clone. The Insight is actually a lot better looking than the Prius (hybrid tuners rejoice!).
If you looked long and hard enough and with a little squinting at the Insight’s front fascia, you might start to notice styling cues from the Civic Type R (UK specced) which honestly, isn’t a bad thing. Considering that the English Civic received high praise from UK’s Fifth Gear for its new-age styling and a dashboard that was almost completely lifted off of Star Trek.
Beyond the A-pillar though, the shape starts to parallel the Prius’s silhouette. But that’s only because the laws of fluid dynamics determine it this way. From the gently sloping roof to the abrupt end at the tailgate, it is all a concerted effort to lower the drag co-efficiency which translates to better mileage.
Interior
Step into the Insight and you immediately notice Captain Jean Luc Piccard’s (aka Star Trek) control panel staring back at you. Honda didn’t lavish the control panel with pretty lights just for looks. The rev counter actually changes hues from green to blue according to how economic your driving is.
If you looked long and hard enough and with a little squinting at the Insight’s front fascia, you might start to notice styling cues from the Civic Type R (UK specced) which honestly, isn’t a bad thing. Considering that the English Civic received high praise from UK’s Fifth Gear for its new-age styling and a dashboard that was almost completely lifted off of Star Trek.
Beyond the A-pillar though, the shape starts to parallel the Prius’s silhouette. But that’s only because the laws of fluid dynamics determine it this way. From the gently sloping roof to the abrupt end at the tailgate, it is all a concerted effort to lower the drag co-efficiency which translates to better mileage.
Interior
Step into the Insight and you immediately notice Captain Jean Luc Piccard’s (aka Star Trek) control panel staring back at you. Honda didn’t lavish the control panel with pretty lights just for looks. The rev counter actually changes hues from green to blue according to how economic your driving is.
If the backlit speedometer display is green as you’re driving along, it means bunny rabbits are falling asleep in your arms and flowers are blossoming as you pass. When the display is blue though, you might as well be clubbing baby seals in their sleep.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, you immediately notice that the steering wheel, when adjusted to an optimum position, partially obscures the speedometer mounted on the top of the dashboard. This might not be a problem for drivers of a smaller stature but it did bother both 1.78m tall journalists during the test.
Even when the seat was adjusted to the best position, both journalists still found the driver’s seat uncomfortable due to poor lumbar support. Again, it might be due to our larger than average stature and might not affect most of the Insight’s would-be owners.
Rear seat passengers are adequately comfortable but ferrying anyone longer than an hour’s drive in the backseat will risk cruelty complaints. The limited legroom and low roof height makes it difficult for an average sized adult to remain in the backseats for anything longer.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, you immediately notice that the steering wheel, when adjusted to an optimum position, partially obscures the speedometer mounted on the top of the dashboard. This might not be a problem for drivers of a smaller stature but it did bother both 1.78m tall journalists during the test.
Even when the seat was adjusted to the best position, both journalists still found the driver’s seat uncomfortable due to poor lumbar support. Again, it might be due to our larger than average stature and might not affect most of the Insight’s would-be owners.
Rear seat passengers are adequately comfortable but ferrying anyone longer than an hour’s drive in the backseat will risk cruelty complaints. The limited legroom and low roof height makes it difficult for an average sized adult to remain in the backseats for anything longer.
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Driving Impressions
Starting up the Insight is a little odd for a hybrid virgin like myself. Usually you expect the mechanical clatter of the engine starting up when you turn the key. In the Insight however, with every other Hybrid on the market, you’re only greeted with eerie silence and the only indication that the Insight is alive is displayed on the instrument panel.
On acceleration, my editor having driven the Prius before commented that the Insight seems to be a little sloppy in getting up to speed when compared to the Prius. But despite the smaller engine capacity, the Insight still does well on overtaking manoeuvres even though it makes it known to you exactly how hard its little 1.3-litre powerplant is working.
The ride in the Insight is comfortable but is let down by seats that are made harder than they should be. But despite that, the Insight manages to smooth out most of the ride without any drama.
Starting up the Insight is a little odd for a hybrid virgin like myself. Usually you expect the mechanical clatter of the engine starting up when you turn the key. In the Insight however, with every other Hybrid on the market, you’re only greeted with eerie silence and the only indication that the Insight is alive is displayed on the instrument panel.
On acceleration, my editor having driven the Prius before commented that the Insight seems to be a little sloppy in getting up to speed when compared to the Prius. But despite the smaller engine capacity, the Insight still does well on overtaking manoeuvres even though it makes it known to you exactly how hard its little 1.3-litre powerplant is working.
The ride in the Insight is comfortable but is let down by seats that are made harder than they should be. But despite that, the Insight manages to smooth out most of the ride without any drama.
Conclusion
The Insight might have its shortcomings but I truly believe that it will still take a significant slice out of the Prius’s hybrid pie. As in the first generation, Honda has once again managed to make Toyota’s uber successful hybrid look uninteresting with its understated design. Sure Honda’s hybrid alternative might have a smaller engine capacity and a little more engine noise when compared to its main rival, but I believe the $18,000 you save over the Prius more than makes up for it.
If you are considering a hybrid car, the Insight’s smaller capacity shouldn’t bother most since an economical drive is a higher priority than a bruising one and it doesn’t hurt that it comes with cheaper road tax now does it?
sgCarMart would like to thank Hycarz for providing the car for this review.
The Insight might have its shortcomings but I truly believe that it will still take a significant slice out of the Prius’s hybrid pie. As in the first generation, Honda has once again managed to make Toyota’s uber successful hybrid look uninteresting with its understated design. Sure Honda’s hybrid alternative might have a smaller engine capacity and a little more engine noise when compared to its main rival, but I believe the $18,000 you save over the Prius more than makes up for it.
If you are considering a hybrid car, the Insight’s smaller capacity shouldn’t bother most since an economical drive is a higher priority than a bruising one and it doesn’t hurt that it comes with cheaper road tax now does it?
sgCarMart would like to thank Hycarz for providing the car for this review.
Honda made its first furore into the hybrid car market back in 1999 when it launched the first Insight. Back then, the first generation Insight revolutionised hybrid car design by being the first hybrid to feature optimized aerodynamics and feather weight aluminium structure. This in turn maximised fuel efficiency and minimized emissions in the process.
The two seat, three door hatchback design featured a sleek body that told of its aerodynamic prowess and afforded it with modest proportions. It even featured rear fenders that covered the rear wheels to maximise the silky airflow over its contours. Looking very much like a car driven off the 1990 movie ‘Total Recall’, the Insight suddenly made the Prius of the day look antiquated with its staid sedan design.
The first generation Insight was powered by a 70bhp 1-litre petrol unit working in tandem with a 13bhp electric motor through Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist system (IMA). Unlike the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the Prius with its planetary gear system, the IMA system has the electric motor placed between the engine and transmission which limited the motor’s role in assisting and starting the engine without a standalone capability. Even though the electric motor couldn’t be used on its own, it could store energy when the brakes are applied and reuse this energy later to assist in the vehicle’s acceleration.
The two seat, three door hatchback design featured a sleek body that told of its aerodynamic prowess and afforded it with modest proportions. It even featured rear fenders that covered the rear wheels to maximise the silky airflow over its contours. Looking very much like a car driven off the 1990 movie ‘Total Recall’, the Insight suddenly made the Prius of the day look antiquated with its staid sedan design.
The first generation Insight was powered by a 70bhp 1-litre petrol unit working in tandem with a 13bhp electric motor through Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist system (IMA). Unlike the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the Prius with its planetary gear system, the IMA system has the electric motor placed between the engine and transmission which limited the motor’s role in assisting and starting the engine without a standalone capability. Even though the electric motor couldn’t be used on its own, it could store energy when the brakes are applied and reuse this energy later to assist in the vehicle’s acceleration.
|
Design
Fast forward to 2009 and Honda has released the latest iteration of the Insight. On first impressions, the Insight looks frighteningly familiar and makes one wonder if hybrid cars from the different manufacturers are coming off the same production line as the Prius.
|
If an Insight zoomed past you fast enough (I know the Insight doesn’t go anywhere quick but I did say ‘if’), you’ll be hard pressed to differentiate it from a Prius. But fortunately for the Insight, on closer inspection it’d be quite unfair to call it a Prius clone. The Insight is actually a lot better looking than the Prius (hybrid tuners rejoice!).
If you looked long and hard enough and with a little squinting at the Insight’s front fascia, you might start to notice styling cues from the Civic Type R (UK specced) which honestly, isn’t a bad thing. Considering that the English Civic received high praise from UK’s Fifth Gear for its new-age styling and a dashboard that was almost completely lifted off of Star Trek.
Beyond the A-pillar though, the shape starts to parallel the Prius’s silhouette. But that’s only because the laws of fluid dynamics determine it this way. From the gently sloping roof to the abrupt end at the tailgate, it is all a concerted effort to lower the drag co-efficiency which translates to better mileage.
Interior
Step into the Insight and you immediately notice Captain Jean Luc Piccard’s (aka Star Trek) control panel staring back at you. Honda didn’t lavish the control panel with pretty lights just for looks. The rev counter actually changes hues from green to blue according to how economic your driving is.
If you looked long and hard enough and with a little squinting at the Insight’s front fascia, you might start to notice styling cues from the Civic Type R (UK specced) which honestly, isn’t a bad thing. Considering that the English Civic received high praise from UK’s Fifth Gear for its new-age styling and a dashboard that was almost completely lifted off of Star Trek.
Beyond the A-pillar though, the shape starts to parallel the Prius’s silhouette. But that’s only because the laws of fluid dynamics determine it this way. From the gently sloping roof to the abrupt end at the tailgate, it is all a concerted effort to lower the drag co-efficiency which translates to better mileage.
Interior
Step into the Insight and you immediately notice Captain Jean Luc Piccard’s (aka Star Trek) control panel staring back at you. Honda didn’t lavish the control panel with pretty lights just for looks. The rev counter actually changes hues from green to blue according to how economic your driving is.
If the backlit speedometer display is green as you’re driving along, it means bunny rabbits are falling asleep in your arms and flowers are blossoming as you pass. When the display is blue though, you might as well be clubbing baby seals in their sleep.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, you immediately notice that the steering wheel, when adjusted to an optimum position, partially obscures the speedometer mounted on the top of the dashboard. This might not be a problem for drivers of a smaller stature but it did bother both 1.78m tall journalists during the test.
Even when the seat was adjusted to the best position, both journalists still found the driver’s seat uncomfortable due to poor lumbar support. Again, it might be due to our larger than average stature and might not affect most of the Insight’s would-be owners.
Rear seat passengers are adequately comfortable but ferrying anyone longer than an hour’s drive in the backseat will risk cruelty complaints. The limited legroom and low roof height makes it difficult for an average sized adult to remain in the backseats for anything longer.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, you immediately notice that the steering wheel, when adjusted to an optimum position, partially obscures the speedometer mounted on the top of the dashboard. This might not be a problem for drivers of a smaller stature but it did bother both 1.78m tall journalists during the test.
Even when the seat was adjusted to the best position, both journalists still found the driver’s seat uncomfortable due to poor lumbar support. Again, it might be due to our larger than average stature and might not affect most of the Insight’s would-be owners.
Rear seat passengers are adequately comfortable but ferrying anyone longer than an hour’s drive in the backseat will risk cruelty complaints. The limited legroom and low roof height makes it difficult for an average sized adult to remain in the backseats for anything longer.
|
Driving Impressions
Starting up the Insight is a little odd for a hybrid virgin like myself. Usually you expect the mechanical clatter of the engine starting up when you turn the key. In the Insight however, with every other Hybrid on the market, you’re only greeted with eerie silence and the only indication that the Insight is alive is displayed on the instrument panel.
On acceleration, my editor having driven the Prius before commented that the Insight seems to be a little sloppy in getting up to speed when compared to the Prius. But despite the smaller engine capacity, the Insight still does well on overtaking manoeuvres even though it makes it known to you exactly how hard its little 1.3-litre powerplant is working.
The ride in the Insight is comfortable but is let down by seats that are made harder than they should be. But despite that, the Insight manages to smooth out most of the ride without any drama.
Starting up the Insight is a little odd for a hybrid virgin like myself. Usually you expect the mechanical clatter of the engine starting up when you turn the key. In the Insight however, with every other Hybrid on the market, you’re only greeted with eerie silence and the only indication that the Insight is alive is displayed on the instrument panel.
On acceleration, my editor having driven the Prius before commented that the Insight seems to be a little sloppy in getting up to speed when compared to the Prius. But despite the smaller engine capacity, the Insight still does well on overtaking manoeuvres even though it makes it known to you exactly how hard its little 1.3-litre powerplant is working.
The ride in the Insight is comfortable but is let down by seats that are made harder than they should be. But despite that, the Insight manages to smooth out most of the ride without any drama.
Conclusion
The Insight might have its shortcomings but I truly believe that it will still take a significant slice out of the Prius’s hybrid pie. As in the first generation, Honda has once again managed to make Toyota’s uber successful hybrid look uninteresting with its understated design. Sure Honda’s hybrid alternative might have a smaller engine capacity and a little more engine noise when compared to its main rival, but I believe the $18,000 you save over the Prius more than makes up for it.
If you are considering a hybrid car, the Insight’s smaller capacity shouldn’t bother most since an economical drive is a higher priority than a bruising one and it doesn’t hurt that it comes with cheaper road tax now does it?
sgCarMart would like to thank Hycarz for providing the car for this review.
The Insight might have its shortcomings but I truly believe that it will still take a significant slice out of the Prius’s hybrid pie. As in the first generation, Honda has once again managed to make Toyota’s uber successful hybrid look uninteresting with its understated design. Sure Honda’s hybrid alternative might have a smaller engine capacity and a little more engine noise when compared to its main rival, but I believe the $18,000 you save over the Prius more than makes up for it.
If you are considering a hybrid car, the Insight’s smaller capacity shouldn’t bother most since an economical drive is a higher priority than a bruising one and it doesn’t hurt that it comes with cheaper road tax now does it?
sgCarMart would like to thank Hycarz for providing the car for this review.
Photos by Benjamin G, Kline
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