Model tested: Honda Insight 1.3 SE
Price: £15,990
Date tested: October 2009
Road tester: Andy Goodwin

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 76%
Honda is renowned for its advances in motoring technology, so its latest hybrid - the all-new Insight - should be very exciting indeed. But does it really offer a green alternative to conventional petrol and diesel family cars?

1. Looks
The Insight is smaller than the Prius, but shares a similar silhouette in its pursuit of excellent aerodynamics. Neat touches like the blue-tinted headlamps and smart grille give the Insight a clean and modern finish.
7/10

2. Looks inside
The dashboard is very driver-oriented, with most controls placed on the steering wheel, or close to it, resulting in less distraction. Some plastics look cheap, but should last well. The main gauges look futuristic, but they're clear.
7/10

3. Practicality
Front and rear legroom are both ample, but taller rear passengers may find the roof quite low. Boot space is a competitive 408 litres and the rear seats can fold down for extra space.
8/10

4. Ride and Handling
The Insight suits a relaxed driving style; its steering is light around town and has little feel as speed increases. The suspension is firm though, which can lead to some jarring.
6/10

5. Performance
The 1.3-litre petrol engine gives 88bhp and an electric motor for extra urge. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 12.5 seconds, but feels slower. Press the ECON button and the car is even slower.
5/10

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6. Running Costs
Honda claims 64.2mpg on average, but we struggled to get more than low 50s. The good news is a price of £15,990 and low emissions of 101-105gkm, resulting in low tax bands for VED and company car tax.
8/10

7. Reliability
It's a Honda, so it's one of the most reliable products available. The hybrid system is already well-proven thanks to its development in the Civic Hybrid IMA.
10/10

8. Safety
The Insight has a five-star EuroNCAP rating, with 90 per cent for adult occupant protection and 74 per cent for child occupant protection.
9/10

9. Equipment
The basic SE has alloy wheels, electric windows and mirrors, trip computer, ESP, remote central locking and a CD player. The ES gets bigger wheels, heated front seats, cruise control, privacy glass, fog lights, auto wipers and headlights plus an MP3 player connection. ES-T adds Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and sat-nav.
8/10

10. X-Factor
The Insight is a well-priced and good-looking family car, which is practical and should prove reliable. It should also prove cheap to run; our only concern is its lack of power.
8/10