Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Our Fleet Test Drive: Honda Insight - 5th Report
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Our Fleet Test Drive: Honda Insight - 5th Report

Date: 10 June 2010   |   Author: Tony Rock

Rear window
Category: Lower medium
P11D price: £19,233
Key rival: Toyota Prius

What is it about hybrids and split rear windscreens? Both the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius favour this design style.

It's a shame because the horizontal bar that divides the smaller upright pane from the slanted pane significantly reduces rear visibility. There are times in the Honda, for example, particularly on motorways and A-roads, when it conceals cars travelling a certain distance behind, and at night this problem is accentuated because it also blocks out headlights. Not only is this unsettling, it's also irritating when the screened car's lights suddenly appear again in the darkness, because it looks as if the driver behind has flashed you.

According to Honda, the reason why the tailgate, and the car in general, is shaped the way it is "is to help the aerodynamics", the theory being that "making the car as slippery as possible exaggerates the already frugal hybrid technology on board the Insight, increasing fuel economy".

That may well be the case, but I for one would be happier losing out on some extra mpg in return for the increased all-round visibility.

Honda Insight 1.3 IMA ES-T Hybrid CVT
Mileage3003
Claimed combined
consumption
61.4mpg
Our average consumption42.4mpg
P11D price£19,233
Model price range£16,225-£19,290
CO2 (tax) 105g/km (10%)
BIK 20/40% per month£32/£64
Service interval1yr/12,500mls
Insurancegroup 6e
Warranty3yrs/90,000mls
Boot space (min/max)408/584 litres
Engine size/power1339cc/102hp
Top speed/0-62mph113mph/12.5secs
Why we’re running itCan Insight can match
Honda’s high
expectations?
PositiveCongestion charge
exemption
NegativeView through rear
windscreen

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