Honda Insight VTi-L (2012)

The mild makeover includes a new front grille and bumper design, while at the rear visibility has been improved (albeit only partly) with a thinner tailgate spoiler. Interior enhancements extend to a front console box and armrest, refined gauges and meter panel as well as redesigned front headrests and seat material.

But there’s more ... Headroom in the back seats has also been increased by 20 mm through redesigning the hatch lining and seats. And low-rolling resistance tyres have been fitted to redesigned alloy wheels to help improve fuel economy by 6.5 percent, earning Insight an ADR figure of 4.3 litres/100 km (combined urban/extra urban) and a 5.5 percent reduction in CO2 emissions to 103 g/km. Around town, Insight is smooth and quiet, if a little anonymous. A light throttle response and comfy ride make it easy to live with, and cargo space is good for a small car. There are plenty of eco driving aids to help pursue the reward of that aforementioned thrifty fuel economy. Drive with disregard, though, and consumption can blow out. As we have found often when testing a petrol/electric hybrid, this is a car that does ideology more convincingly than real world ownership.