‘life hack’ in times of expensive gasoline
The first generation Honda Insight is a rarity. With its closed rear wheel arches, it looks like it has come straight out of a science fiction film. The second generation was a lot earthier and its aerodynamic shape was considered much less strange, partly thanks to the Toyota Prius. Nevertheless, the Insight was not a gigantic success, with 6,210 new units sold in the Netherlands. It might be a nice one as an occasion lifehack in times of extremely expensive gasoline?
The second generation Honda Insight, which we review here, was delivered from 2009 to 2014. It combines a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist. This system consists of an electric motor that is directly linked to the petrol engine. The electric motor gives this a boost, bringing the system power to 98 hp. Although Honda also supplied the manual hybrid CR-Z at the time, every Insight has a CVT automatic transmission.
Consumption Honda Insight 1.3 i-VTEC
A total of eighteen users of the second generation Honda Insight have tracked their consumption in the AutoWeek Consumption Monitor. Their average was 1 in 18.6 (5.4 l/100 km). The most economical Insight driver recorded 1 in 21.3 (4.7 l/100 km) over a distance of more than 93,000 kilometers, which was quite close to the factory specification of 1 in 22.7 (4.4 l/100 km). .
On the other hand, we see a driver who only drove 1,733 km with an average consumption of 1 in 13.3 (7.5 l/100 km). We prefer to see slightly more kilometers, such as the 68,321 km of the second least economical driver. This achieved a significantly better consumption of an average of 1 in 17.1 (5.8 l/100 km).
Then there is one more value that stands out, but which we have not included in our average. It is the 1 in 26.8 (3.73 l/100 km) that the driver of an ‘original’ Honda Insight achieves. A case of ‘nothing to wear, but nice’.
The first Honda Insights of the second generation will claim the title of ‘youngtimer’ next year. Nevertheless, they still perform excellently in terms of consumption. The values ​​may not be groundbreaking, but especially considering the age of the model, the streamlined hybrid has nothing to be ashamed of. A used Honda Insight therefore seems to be an excellent answer to the high fuel price.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl