Review
It’s been two months since we took delivery of a Honda Insight in an effort to get behind the hybrid hype and see how this five-door family hatchback copes with the daily grind of fleet life.
On paper, the Insight looks like an attractive proposition with a claimed combined mileage of 64.2mpg, CO2 emissions of 101g/km and P11d prices starting from £15,627.
However, our SE version with its 1.3-litre petrol engine has struggled to get anywhere near the quoted mpg rate, instead returning figures of 41.6mpg.
That may have something to do with it performing well around town, because your revs are relatively low, but once on the motorway its continuously variable automatic transmission results in high revs and fuel being burned at a not-so-environmentally friendly rate.
However, Lex Autolease’s fleet manager Nigel Trotman has been pleased with the 32 Insights he took delivery of recently.
He was keen, like Fleet News, to gain early experience of how the car would perform for drivers covering relatively high mileages.
“The feedback that I have had from drivers is generally positive,” said Trotman. “Obviously there are benefits in terms of reduced costs and if you happen to drive in London you can avoid the congestion charge.”
All hybrid cars have both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, with manufacturers offering three main versions.
The Insight opts for a parallel hybrid, which it calls Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). It uses the petrol engine as the main source of power to drive the car with the electric motor assisting it and at times powering the car on its own.
We will continue to report on our experiences with the IMA powered Honda, but if you run any Insights on your fleet, please email gareth.roberts@bauermedia.co.uk to let us know your thoughts on their performance.
