Nobody expected a modest 15.6 kWh per 100 km to become a talking point — yet that's exactly what happened with the new Honda Insight. It's roughly 16% above the claimed 13.4 kWh figure. The number comes from the onboard computer after a 292.8 km drive, about 60% of which was on highways. So this isn't a verdict on the car for every condition — just an honest snapshot of one particular run.
The Insight itself has changed beyond recognition. It used to be a frugal hybrid — now it's a front-wheel-drive electric crossover with 204 hp and 310 Nm. Nothing left of the old philosophy except the name. The Japanese model is based on the Chinese Dongfeng Honda e:NS2 and GAC Honda e:NP2, costs 5.5 million yen ($33,500), and is limited to just 3,000 units.
The claimed range is 535 km on the WLTC cycle. Even the name itself is misleading when it comes to size. At 4785 mm long, the Insight is 225 mm longer than the current Civic, though the two share an identical 2735 mm wheelbase. The trunk holds 505 liters, or 875 liters with the seats folded.
On the road, the EV turned out fast and surprisingly composed. The tester noticed no torque steer even under hard acceleration, and reported modest body roll along with unexpectedly confident cornering. On rough pavement, though, the suspension lacked softness — partly blamed on the reinforced Continental tires in 225/50 R18.
What stuck with the tester most was the silence, held together by Bose's active noise cancellation. But that same detachment turned out to be its biggest flaw: comfortable, spacious, easy to understand — and barely memorable to drive.
Even the synthetic sound in Sport mode doesn't change the car's character. What we have here is a calm, everyday electric vehicle. The wild, quirky Insights of past generations have nothing to do with this one — except on paper.
Earlier, Tarantas.news reported that Honda confirmed a new generation of the Ridgeline with a more rugged design.
