Honda Insight Hybrid 1.3 (A) Facelift Review
29 Aug 2012|18,378 views
Hondas of late has been sticking to its working recipes, changing anything but nothing at all. Yes, we could have been biased due to the recent wave of facelifts, and the supposedly makeovers that are more of an evolution than a revolution (think the recent Civic).
The Insight was the marque's answer to the booming hybrid market, and inevitably deemed by many as a direct competitor to the Toyota Prius. But like the various motoring solutions posed by the marque, the Insight offers an altered viewpoint to the job on hand. The result is a stylish looking five-door hatch, with a high-raked roofline for both aero efficiency and a distinctive look.
Exterior
The latest incarnation of the well-received hybrid hatch (the Insight was crowned top sales in markets worldwide at its debut) sees minor nips and tucks, all in which the firm claims for the betterment of efficiency.
Minor aesthetical tweaks on the facelifts Insight left general proportions untouched from its forebearers
The Insight was the marque's answer to the booming hybrid market, and inevitably deemed by many as a direct competitor to the Toyota Prius. But like the various motoring solutions posed by the marque, the Insight offers an altered viewpoint to the job on hand. The result is a stylish looking five-door hatch, with a high-raked roofline for both aero efficiency and a distinctive look.
Exterior
The latest incarnation of the well-received hybrid hatch (the Insight was crowned top sales in markets worldwide at its debut) sees minor nips and tucks, all in which the firm claims for the betterment of efficiency.
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The front bumper, for instance, is said to have been tweaked to lessen the aero-drag. The revamped fog lamps assembly somehow pulls off a bulky stance when placed underneath the sleek headlamps – prim and proper no less but will not garner the stares.
The Insight still retains the tad quirky proportions - squat front ends with the raised rump. One may find the car challenged on its width too. Indeed at just under 1.7m yet spanning 4.4m in length, the car is proportionally skinnier.
Those more familiar with colour expressions used in automobiles will find no trouble identifying the Insight as a 'special' variant. The generous use of blue tinge at the facet cosmetics hints at the car's eco-friendly underpinnings (blue signifies 'green' for Honda).
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Interior
We would like to think that the interiors of Honda cars are usually less of a humdrum affair, or at least it is around the driver seat. The Insight no less boasts an interesting array of heads up display. Rev counter retains the more dramatic analogue layout, while the speedometer is digitalised for easier readout. The blue lit counters adds a touch of modernisation, in line with the hybrid culture that point towards the future.
The Insight's console boasts a driver-centric design and premium-looking digital gauges
We would like to think that the interiors of Honda cars are usually less of a humdrum affair, or at least it is around the driver seat. The Insight no less boasts an interesting array of heads up display. Rev counter retains the more dramatic analogue layout, while the speedometer is digitalised for easier readout. The blue lit counters adds a touch of modernisation, in line with the hybrid culture that point towards the future.
Notably, the fit and finish deviates from the fact that the Insight was initially meant to be a budget offering. The driver-centric console and quality of the fit and finish feels as impressive as models commanding much higher premiums.
Elsewhere, the Insight adopts a dark, mono-tone interior which dulls on the visuals. The rear quarters, too, pales in comparison with its closest rivals, largely due to the centre rising seat which makes it a challenge to fit a third adult in the rear. And it certainly doesn't help with the slopping roof which further obliterates headroom.
Utility wise, the large-opening boot makes it a breeze to access the available space. The price to pay is the obstructed rear view, inherently by the beam spanning across the hatch door - or what Honda calls tailgate garnish.
The Insight aces in utility - large opening boot allow easy access to available spaces
Elsewhere, the Insight adopts a dark, mono-tone interior which dulls on the visuals. The rear quarters, too, pales in comparison with its closest rivals, largely due to the centre rising seat which makes it a challenge to fit a third adult in the rear. And it certainly doesn't help with the slopping roof which further obliterates headroom.
Utility wise, the large-opening boot makes it a breeze to access the available space. The price to pay is the obstructed rear view, inherently by the beam spanning across the hatch door - or what Honda calls tailgate garnish.
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The Drive
The latest Insight utilises a 1.3-litre petrol engine, with a 10kW electric motor situated between the engine and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox.
Unlike those hybrid drivetrains found on Toyota and Lexus offerings, the electric motor does not power the car solely by its own. Instead, it complements the main petrol drivetrain during acceleration, and recharges the hybrid's battery pack during braking.
Potting around town, the electric motor provides adequate support during start-off and overtaking manoeuvres. That said, it does take a wee bit of coaxing for aspirated sprints, as well as deliberate humming and whining from the drivetrain to remind you of its hard work.
The Insight, however, is set to please when not operated with a heavy foot. Improved insulation adds a tad of serenity when hustling down the busy streets, while the gearbox and damping has been optimised for smoothness and refinement of the ride.
While the Insight is never meant to be a sporting offering, it is still blessed with the enjoyment one derives from driving. The steering is precise without being overtly assisted, leaving a good judgement of steering feel to it.
The latest Insight utilises a 1.3-litre petrol engine, with a 10kW electric motor situated between the engine and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox.
Unlike those hybrid drivetrains found on Toyota and Lexus offerings, the electric motor does not power the car solely by its own. Instead, it complements the main petrol drivetrain during acceleration, and recharges the hybrid's battery pack during braking.
Potting around town, the electric motor provides adequate support during start-off and overtaking manoeuvres. That said, it does take a wee bit of coaxing for aspirated sprints, as well as deliberate humming and whining from the drivetrain to remind you of its hard work.
The Insight, however, is set to please when not operated with a heavy foot. Improved insulation adds a tad of serenity when hustling down the busy streets, while the gearbox and damping has been optimised for smoothness and refinement of the ride.
While the Insight is never meant to be a sporting offering, it is still blessed with the enjoyment one derives from driving. The steering is precise without being overtly assisted, leaving a good judgement of steering feel to it.
Conclusion
Honda claims that the 1.3-litre hybrid sips at a rate of 4.4L/100km - our time with the car however reveals a figure closer to 6.6L/100km, though the result cannot be concretely recognised due to the car reviewed prior to run-in and the relatively short time span.
Generous utility and unique stance has been a trademark of the 'go-green for the masses' offering, and this latest incarnation is no exception. The well put together, modernistic-looking interior once again stood proof of the ingenuity of the people behind the making, which we reckon is one of the key attributes of the Insight, or for the more recent Honda cars in fact.
Instinctively hybrids do not enjoy the same fate as their pure petrol-driven siblings - there are hardly a handful of hybrids which leave us savouring. What the Insight does instead is being a humble, just car by coupling everyday usability with real costs savings.
Honda claims that the 1.3-litre hybrid sips at a rate of 4.4L/100km - our time with the car however reveals a figure closer to 6.6L/100km, though the result cannot be concretely recognised due to the car reviewed prior to run-in and the relatively short time span.
Generous utility and unique stance has been a trademark of the 'go-green for the masses' offering, and this latest incarnation is no exception. The well put together, modernistic-looking interior once again stood proof of the ingenuity of the people behind the making, which we reckon is one of the key attributes of the Insight, or for the more recent Honda cars in fact.
Instinctively hybrids do not enjoy the same fate as their pure petrol-driven siblings - there are hardly a handful of hybrids which leave us savouring. What the Insight does instead is being a humble, just car by coupling everyday usability with real costs savings.
Hondas of late has been sticking to its working recipes, changing anything but nothing at all. Yes, we could have been biased due to the recent wave of facelifts, and the supposedly makeovers that are more of an evolution than a revolution (think the recent Civic).
The Insight was the marque's answer to the booming hybrid market, and inevitably deemed by many as a direct competitor to the Toyota Prius. But like the various motoring solutions posed by the marque, the Insight offers an altered viewpoint to the job on hand. The result is a stylish looking five-door hatch, with a high-raked roofline for both aero efficiency and a distinctive look.
Exterior
The latest incarnation of the well-received hybrid hatch (the Insight was crowned top sales in markets worldwide at its debut) sees minor nips and tucks, all in which the firm claims for the betterment of efficiency.
The Insight was the marque's answer to the booming hybrid market, and inevitably deemed by many as a direct competitor to the Toyota Prius. But like the various motoring solutions posed by the marque, the Insight offers an altered viewpoint to the job on hand. The result is a stylish looking five-door hatch, with a high-raked roofline for both aero efficiency and a distinctive look.
Exterior
The latest incarnation of the well-received hybrid hatch (the Insight was crowned top sales in markets worldwide at its debut) sees minor nips and tucks, all in which the firm claims for the betterment of efficiency.
The front bumper, for instance, is said to have been tweaked to lessen the aero-drag. The revamped fog lamps assembly somehow pulls off a bulky stance when placed underneath the sleek headlamps – prim and proper no less but will not garner the stares.
The Insight still retains the tad quirky proportions - squat front ends with the raised rump. One may find the car challenged on its width too. Indeed at just under 1.7m yet spanning 4.4m in length, the car is proportionally skinnier.
Those more familiar with colour expressions used in automobiles will find no trouble identifying the Insight as a 'special' variant. The generous use of blue tinge at the facet cosmetics hints at the car's eco-friendly underpinnings (blue signifies 'green' for Honda).
The Insight still retains the tad quirky proportions - squat front ends with the raised rump. One may find the car challenged on its width too. Indeed at just under 1.7m yet spanning 4.4m in length, the car is proportionally skinnier.
Those more familiar with colour expressions used in automobiles will find no trouble identifying the Insight as a 'special' variant. The generous use of blue tinge at the facet cosmetics hints at the car's eco-friendly underpinnings (blue signifies 'green' for Honda).
Interior
We would like to think that the interiors of Honda cars are usually less of a humdrum affair, or at least it is around the driver seat. The Insight no less boasts an interesting array of heads up display. Rev counter retains the more dramatic analogue layout, while the speedometer is digitalised for easier readout. The blue lit counters adds a touch of modernisation, in line with the hybrid culture that point towards the future.
We would like to think that the interiors of Honda cars are usually less of a humdrum affair, or at least it is around the driver seat. The Insight no less boasts an interesting array of heads up display. Rev counter retains the more dramatic analogue layout, while the speedometer is digitalised for easier readout. The blue lit counters adds a touch of modernisation, in line with the hybrid culture that point towards the future.
Notably, the fit and finish deviates from the fact that the Insight was initially meant to be a budget offering. The driver-centric console and quality of the fit and finish feels as impressive as models commanding much higher premiums.
Elsewhere, the Insight adopts a dark, mono-tone interior which dulls on the visuals. The rear quarters, too, pales in comparison with its closest rivals, largely due to the centre rising seat which makes it a challenge to fit a third adult in the rear. And it certainly doesn't help with the slopping roof which further obliterates headroom.
Utility wise, the large-opening boot makes it a breeze to access the available space. The price to pay is the obstructed rear view, inherently by the beam spanning across the hatch door - or what Honda calls tailgate garnish.
Elsewhere, the Insight adopts a dark, mono-tone interior which dulls on the visuals. The rear quarters, too, pales in comparison with its closest rivals, largely due to the centre rising seat which makes it a challenge to fit a third adult in the rear. And it certainly doesn't help with the slopping roof which further obliterates headroom.
Utility wise, the large-opening boot makes it a breeze to access the available space. The price to pay is the obstructed rear view, inherently by the beam spanning across the hatch door - or what Honda calls tailgate garnish.
The Drive
The latest Insight utilises a 1.3-litre petrol engine, with a 10kW electric motor situated between the engine and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox.
Unlike those hybrid drivetrains found on Toyota and Lexus offerings, the electric motor does not power the car solely by its own. Instead, it complements the main petrol drivetrain during acceleration, and recharges the hybrid's battery pack during braking.
Potting around town, the electric motor provides adequate support during start-off and overtaking manoeuvres. That said, it does take a wee bit of coaxing for aspirated sprints, as well as deliberate humming and whining from the drivetrain to remind you of its hard work.
The Insight, however, is set to please when not operated with a heavy foot. Improved insulation adds a tad of serenity when hustling down the busy streets, while the gearbox and damping has been optimised for smoothness and refinement of the ride.
While the Insight is never meant to be a sporting offering, it is still blessed with the enjoyment one derives from driving. The steering is precise without being overtly assisted, leaving a good judgement of steering feel to it.
The latest Insight utilises a 1.3-litre petrol engine, with a 10kW electric motor situated between the engine and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox.
Unlike those hybrid drivetrains found on Toyota and Lexus offerings, the electric motor does not power the car solely by its own. Instead, it complements the main petrol drivetrain during acceleration, and recharges the hybrid's battery pack during braking.
Potting around town, the electric motor provides adequate support during start-off and overtaking manoeuvres. That said, it does take a wee bit of coaxing for aspirated sprints, as well as deliberate humming and whining from the drivetrain to remind you of its hard work.
The Insight, however, is set to please when not operated with a heavy foot. Improved insulation adds a tad of serenity when hustling down the busy streets, while the gearbox and damping has been optimised for smoothness and refinement of the ride.
While the Insight is never meant to be a sporting offering, it is still blessed with the enjoyment one derives from driving. The steering is precise without being overtly assisted, leaving a good judgement of steering feel to it.
Conclusion
Honda claims that the 1.3-litre hybrid sips at a rate of 4.4L/100km - our time with the car however reveals a figure closer to 6.6L/100km, though the result cannot be concretely recognised due to the car reviewed prior to run-in and the relatively short time span.
Generous utility and unique stance has been a trademark of the 'go-green for the masses' offering, and this latest incarnation is no exception. The well put together, modernistic-looking interior once again stood proof of the ingenuity of the people behind the making, which we reckon is one of the key attributes of the Insight, or for the more recent Honda cars in fact.
Instinctively hybrids do not enjoy the same fate as their pure petrol-driven siblings - there are hardly a handful of hybrids which leave us savouring. What the Insight does instead is being a humble, just car by coupling everyday usability with real costs savings.
Honda claims that the 1.3-litre hybrid sips at a rate of 4.4L/100km - our time with the car however reveals a figure closer to 6.6L/100km, though the result cannot be concretely recognised due to the car reviewed prior to run-in and the relatively short time span.
Generous utility and unique stance has been a trademark of the 'go-green for the masses' offering, and this latest incarnation is no exception. The well put together, modernistic-looking interior once again stood proof of the ingenuity of the people behind the making, which we reckon is one of the key attributes of the Insight, or for the more recent Honda cars in fact.
Instinctively hybrids do not enjoy the same fate as their pure petrol-driven siblings - there are hardly a handful of hybrids which leave us savouring. What the Insight does instead is being a humble, just car by coupling everyday usability with real costs savings.
Photos by Nicholas Low
Car Information
Honda Insight Hybrid 1.3 (A)
CAT A|Petrol-Electric|22.7km/L
Horsepower
73kW (98 bhp)
Torque
167 Nm
Acceleration
-
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Honda Insight Hybrid
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