Honda Insight 1.3 Elegance
Content
External dimensions and wheelbase clearly indicate where Insight custom: lower middle class. And for the competitiveness of the lower middle class, price is, of course, an important factor. The Insight costs a good $ 20k and boasts a nice bunch of standard equipment, from complete safety to xenon headlights, rain sensor, cruise control. ...
This means that Honda did not save here, but there is a noticeable saving in the car. The materials used, especially the plastic of the dashboard, are not quite the best in their class (but it is true that we can safely put them in the golden mean), but partly Insight this is offset by excellent workmanship that surpasses most of the competition.
Seats are less impressive. Their longitudinal offset is too small to comfortably sit behind the wheel of drivers taller than 185 centimeters, and the Insight has a very bulging (but not adjustable) lumbar seat that will not fit many, but there is little you can do here.
The longitudinal space at the rear is average for this class, and due to the shape of the body there are no problems with headroom. The seat belt buckles are a little awkward, so attaching child seats (or a child to the seat) can be challenging.
trunk At first glance, it doesn't offer much space, but it is well-shaped, nicely enlarged, and there is an additional eight liters of space under the bottom. For basic family use, 400 liters will suffice, and many competitors are (much) worse in this area than the Insight.
Aerodynamic shape ass which we are already accustomed to in hybrids (it also has Toyota Prius) has a serious drawback: reverse transparency is very poor. The window is in two parts, and the frame that separates the two parts obstructs the driver's field of view in the rearview mirror exactly where he would otherwise see the cars behind him.
In addition, the lower part of the glass does not have a wiper (and therefore does not work well in the rain), and the upper part has a wiper, but through it you can only observe what is above the road. Much better in terms of transparency ahead. The dashboard has futuristic shapes, but the gauges are practical and transparent.
It's right under the windshield digital speed display (which is actually more transparent than some sensors that project data onto the windshield), and its background changes from blue to green, depending on how environmentally or economically the driver is currently driving (blue for more, green for small) consumption).
The classic location has a tachometer (considering the Insight has an automatic transmission, it is actually quite large) and a central display (monochrome) that shows data from the on-board computer. There is also a large green button next to which the driver switches to eco-driving mode.
But before we get to that button (and eco-driving in general), let's get on with it. methods: The hybrid technology built into the Insight is called IMA, Honda's Integrated Motor Assist. This means that the battery has a small capacity, that the Insight cannot simply move from place to electric power (which is why the engine shuts down, especially when driving on regional roads), and that the battery is powered by an electric motor, which is assisted by the Insight petrol engine. At any serious acceleration, it empties quickly.
When the Insight engine is shut down, it continues to rotate, except that all valves are closed (to keep losses to a minimum) and fuel delivery is stopped. Therefore, even in this case, the tachometer will still show that the engine is rotating at a speed of about a thousand revolutions per minute.
Biggest flaw: Understanding is too weak. Gas engine. The 1-liter four-cylinder petrol engine is closely related to the Jazz engine and is capable of developing only 3 "horsepower", which is simply not enough for a 75-ton car in this class.
The electric motor that assists it (and which also serves as a generator to regenerate power when decelerating) can handle 14 more, for a total of 75 kilowatts or 102 horsepower, but it will mostly have to rely on 75 horsepower on gasoline. Acceleration from 12 seconds to 6 kilometers per hour is a logical consequence (but at the same time it is still an acceptable result and does not interfere with everyday use), and even more disturbing is the fact that the Insight blows at highway speeds.
Two things quickly become clear here: that the Insight is loud and that consumption is high, both of which have to do with the continuously variable transmission must constantly keep the engine in the maximum range at these speeds. power. It rarely spins below five thousand rpm, but if you want to go a little faster, be prepared for the constant hum of the four-cylinder just below the red square.
SHOP Got it: Insight is actually a city and suburban car and nothing more. If you are going to use it (say) to travel to Ljubljana (and around Ljubljana) from moderately remote locations and the route does not include a motorway, then that might be the right one. However, if you drive a lot on the highway and are not ready to move along it at speeds below 110 or 115 kilometers per hour (when this limit is exceeded, Insight becomes loud and greedy), you better forget about it.
In the city, Honda Insight is a completely different story: there is almost no noise, acceleration is smooth and continuous, the engine rarely spins over two thousand rpm and the more crowded the city, the more you will like it, especially when you look at the consumption, then it will fluctuate (depending on the dynamism of your ride) from five to six liters.
It would be slightly less if Honda engineers tweaked the automatic engine shutdown system (and of course the automatic ignition on start-up) so that it works even when the air coming out of the heating and ventilation system is directed towards the windshield or when you the driver wants it. so that the air conditioners are on. But this again has to do with (also) a small battery, which is of course cheaper.
And when we are saving: Insight is not only a car, but also a computer game in one. From the moment the customer lights it up for the first time, they begin to measure the environmental friendliness of the trip (which depends not only on consumption, but mainly on the acceleration method, regeneration performance and other factors).
He will reward you for your success with pictures of flowers. At first with one ticket, but when you collect five, you go to the next level, where there are two tickets. At the third stage, the flower receives one more flower, and if here too you “reach the end”, you will receive a trophy for economical driving.
In order to progress, you need to be collected while driving, especially when assessing the movement ahead of you and slowing down in a timely manner (with the greatest possible energy regeneration) and, of course, when accelerating smoothly. ...
The variable background of the speedometer and the Eco button to the left of the gauges (which enables a more economical mode of operation of the engine with slightly less performance) help, and after two weeks of driving with the Insight we were able to climb halfway to the third (the instructions say this can take several months) despite the fact that the average consumption was not very small: a little more than seven liters. Without all these systems, it would be even bigger. ...
Another thing: with inorganic driving, with a deterioration in the ecological result, the leaves of the flower wither!
Of course, the comparison with the Toyota Prius suggests itself. Since we tested both machines almost at the same time, we can write that this is Prius (much) more economical (and better in any other area), but its price is also almost half the price. But more about the duel Insight: Prius in one of the upcoming issues of Auto Magazine when we compare the cars more closely.
When driving economically, it is important that there is not too much deceleration and subsequent acceleration. Therefore, it is not bad if such a car behaves well even when cornering. The Insight has no problems here, the tilt is not small, but everything is within the limits that do not bother the driver and passengers.
flywheel it is accurate enough, the understeer is not too much, and at the same time, the Insight also absorbs shock from the wheels well. If we add to this the good brakes with a pedal that provides sufficient sensitivity and allows for precise metering of braking force (which is more the exception than the rule for cars that regenerate energy), then it becomes clear that in the mechanical area the Insight is a real Honda.
That's why buying an Insight is not a hit in the arm, you just need to know what it's for and come to terms with the disadvantages it has outside of its "workspace". After all, its price is quite low, so many shortcomings can be safely forgiven.
How much does it cost in euros
Test car accessories:
Metallic paint 550
Parktronic front and rear 879
Decorative thresholds 446
Dušan Lukič, photo: Aleš Pavletič
Honda Insight 1.3 Elegance
Basic data
| Sales: | AC Mobile doo |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 17.990 € |
| Test model cost: | 22.865 € |
| Power: | 65kW (88 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 12,6 with |
| Maximum speed: | 186 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 4,4l / 100km |
| Guarantee: | General warranty 3 years or 100.000 km, 8 years warranty for hybrid components, 3 years warranty for paint, 12 years for rust, 10 years for chassis corrosion, 5 years for exhaust. |
| Systematic review | 20.000 km |
Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)
| Regular services, works, materials: | 1.421 € |
|---|---|
| Fuel: | 8.133 € |
| Tires (1) | 1.352 € |
| Compulsory insurance: | 2.130 € |
| CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO + | 2.090 ( |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Buy up | € 21.069 0,21 (km cost: XNUMX €) |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - gasoline - mounted transversely in front - bore and stroke 73,0 × 80,0 mm - displacement 1.339 cm? – compression 10,8:1 – maximum power 65 kW (88 hp) at 5.800 rpm – average piston speed at maximum power 15,5 m/s – specific power 48,5 kW/l (66,0 hp / l) - maximum torque 121 Nm at 4.500 l / s min - 2 camshafts in the head (chain) - 2 valves per cylinder. Electric motor: permanent magnet synchronous motor - rated voltage 100,8 V - maximum power 10,3 kW (14 hp) at 1.500 rpm - maximum torque 78,5 Nm at 0–1.000 rpm. Battery: Nickel-metal hydride batteries - 5,8 Ah. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | the engines are driven by the front wheels - continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with planetary gear - 6J × 16 wheels - 185/55 R 16 H tires, rolling distance of 1,84 m. |
| Capacity: | top speed 186 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 12,6 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 4,6 / 4,2 / 4,4 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions 101 g / km. |
| Transportation and suspension: | limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single wishbones, leaf springs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear multi-link axle, leaf springs, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc, mechanical parking brake on the rear wheels (lever between seats) - steering wheel with rack and pinion, power steering, 3,2 turns between extreme points. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.204 kg - Permissible gross vehicle weight 1.650 kg - Permissible trailer weight with brake: n.a., without brake: n.a. - Permissible roof load: n.a. |
| External dimensions: | vehicle width 1.695 mm, front track 1.490 mm, rear track 1.475 mm, ground clearance 11 m. |
| Inner dimensions: | front width 1.430 mm, rear 1.380 - front seat length 530 mm, rear seat 460 - steering wheel diameter 365 mm - fuel tank 40 l. |
| Box: | Trunk volume measured using standard AM set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total 278,5 L): 5 seats: 1 backpack (20 L); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 2 suitcases (68,5 l) |
Our measurements
| T = 18 ° C / p = 1.035 mbar / rel. vl. = 39% / Tires: Bridgestone Turanza 185/55 / R 16 H / Meter reading: 6.006 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 12,1s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 18,5 years ( 125 km / h) |
| Maximum speed: | 188km / h |
| Minimum consumption: | 4,7l / 100km |
| Maximum consumption: | 9,1l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 7,4 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 130 km / h: | 72,9m |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 42,3m |
| AM table: | 40m |
| Test errors: | unmistakable |
Overall rating (324/420)
The Insight lost most of its points due to a poor drivetrain and, as a result, higher fuel consumption and noise. For urban and suburban needs, this is not a problem, and in such situations, Insight is better than you might think.
Exterior (11/15)
A typical hybrid with all the drawbacks.
Interior (95/140)
Too little room for tall drivers was considered a minus, enough room for small items a plus.
Engine, transmission (48
/ 40)The motorization is too weak, so the consumption is high. It's a shame the rest of the technique is good.
Driving performance (61
/ 95)Set it on fire, switch to D and drive away. It couldn't be easier.
Performance (19/35)
A weak engine reduces performance. There are no miracles here, despite modern technology.
Security (49/45)
With a horizontally split rear window, the Insight is opaque, but earned five stars in EuroNCAP tests.
Economy
The consumption is not very small, but the price is favorable. Whether it pays off depends primarily on the distances that Insight travels.
We praise and reproach
trunk
Transmission
ecological driving alarm method
airy interior
enough space for small items
too loud engine
consumption at higher speeds
insufficient longitudinal displacement of the driver's seat
transparency back
