Honda Insight car review

The Honda Insight, the Japanese manufacturer’s hybrid hatch, gets a family test as Auto Trader Editor Adrian Higgins drives it to hospital for his wife’s birth and chauffeurs her back home with their new daughter.

Could this be the ultimate test for the petrol/electric hybrid’s firm ride? Read on for the full update on our long-term Honda Insight.

Gallery: Honda Insight long term loan

Honda Insight IMA ES-T Hybrid CVT
Mileage: 1,011
Average speed:  16mph
Fuel consumption: 37.6mpg
Insurance: 6
CO2 emissions as tested: 105g/km
Company car tax%:  7%
EuroNCAP result: *****
Price: £18,890
(Buy used Honda Insight | Buy new)
Options: Metallic paint £400

These are exciting times for Honda - and for me too.

The Japanese manufacturer has become the first to put the words hybrid and sports car in the same phrase with the CR-Z, now open for UK orders at £16,999.

And despite recall problems of its own, with some other US models, Honda has an opportunity to convert Green buyers to the Honda Insight from the more expensive Toyota Prius.

Meanwhile, my wife Natasha has given birth to our daughter Dorothy.

The family test

Where previously I would conscientiously assess a family hatchback from a hypothetical point of view, now it’s for real.

The Insight’s first and fundamental family test came when my wife went into labour and had to be transported swiftly, safely and comfortably to hospital two miles away.

Saturday afternoon meant an unpredictable travel time so I decided to take a less direct and congested route. I retrieved a sat-nav journey previously taken, and was thankful that with contractions every four or five minutes, it worked speedily and effectively just when I needed it most.

The road was fairly clear and the Insight also managed fine when it came to the half a dozen speedbumps and potholes we had to negotiate.

Comfortable ride

In my Honda Insight 600 mile update I mentioned other reviewers had criticised the car’s firm ride but there can be few better real-life tests than the one we put it through.

Dorothy was born a few hours later and after a couple of nights in hospital my wife and child were ready for the trip home.

Speed was not so much the issue this time, but comfort certainly was, and Dorothy gave the seal of approval with an unbroken sleep all the way home.

Since returning home we have had the hands-on practical experience to judge the car’s family-friendly credentials.

Family highlights

Here are a few of the highlights so far:
• Rear door access easily allows us to place the baby in the rear seat.
• The boot accommodates the pram easily with plenty of room left for shopping.
• The door storage bins are now starting to come into their own as we are looking for secure places to quickly store drinks for us and baby accessories.
• The Honda Insight is compliant with Isofix childseats and installing the base and slotting in and removing the seat is simple.
• The Insight is easy to drive, with smooth, light steering.

We’ve taken an in-depth look at the Honda Insight’s green credentials in our Honda Insight Ten Point Test and the Honda Insight European launch.