The Honda Insight has been around for quite some time now, however, the first generation was a bizarre three-door vehicle with wheel spats that never made it to the Bangladesh market.
Although it began as the least expensive hybrid on the market, the second-generation Honda Insight was a five-door hatchback that was never able to overtake Toyota's much-loved Prius.
The Insight, which replaces the discontinued Civic Hybrid and sits in the lineup between the Civic and the Accord, combines the strongest features of both vehicles with unequalled levels of environmental friendliness. And, unlike the most recent Prius, it's easy on the eyes.
The hybrid system
A 1.5-litre gasoline Atkinson-cycle engine with 107 horsepower and 99 pound-feet of torque is concealed under the Insight's hood. A hybrid vehicle with two electric motors produces a net of 151 horsepower and 197 pound-feet of torque.
People often call it the hybrid’s hybrid.
Four different driving options are available: Normal, Sport, Eco, and EV. The Eco mode maximizes functioning using only power. The economy is compromised in normal mode in favour of a more Civic-like acceleration.
Sport, on the other hand, really uses the speakers to increase engine volume while causing the engine to rev higher for a longer period of time without much-improving performance.
The best part about the efficient engine is that the battery supports the power to the front wheels at city speeds (below 70 km/h), and once you get on the highway, the main engine kicks in, making the Insight incredibly efficient.
Inside the city, the vehicle gives around 25.6 km per litre, whereas on the highway it gives around 36.1km per litre, which is amazing for a car of this nature.
Interior
In order to increase its appeal, Honda feels that the Insight should forgo any of the Civic's distinctive aesthetic characteristics. I believe Honda made the proper choice given the current state of the Prius and how polarizing the Civic's design can be.
There’s a good degree of quirkiness inside, but the finishing is extraordinary and rightly so, as unlike the Thailand manufactured Honda Civics, the Insight is made for the Japanese domestic market and the ones you see here in Dhaka are all manufactured in Japan.
That explains the superior built quality. The dashboard is still accessible behind an 8-inch infotainment screen, despite the illusion that it "floats" and the sound system of the car is pretty decent, which wasn’t much of a surprise.
Instead of using a lever to change gears, you must now press or pull buttons.
Apart from that, the seats are comfortable and the tall enough glass provides an excellent side and forward view.
Because there isn't a battery hump taking up room in the trunk, you get precisely the same amount of cargo capacity as the Civic Sedan: either a 14.7 or 15.1 cubic feet, depending on the model.
Of course, it's not as much as the Accord provides, but it's roomy enough to comfortably fit a family's worth of weekend luggage.
The price is however a little steep compared to its direct rival the Toyota Prius, a 2018 Insight will set you back around Tk42 lakh, whereas a 2019 Prius costs around Tk7 lakh less. So this gives a lot to think about whether the Honda is even worth the extra money.
But when it comes to looks, the Honda Insight did a marvellous job and more importantly this car is quite fun to drive as this specific model was based on the Civic, which is famous all around the world for being a drivers’ car.
