Technophobes have no reason to fear the Insight’s touch-screen.

Used for both the satellite navigation and stereo functions, it is intuitive to the extent that you won’t have to resort to either thumbing through the handbook or bribing teenage nephews to demonstrate how to operate it.

While satnav images are clear and easy to comprehend, my favourite use of the screen was as an iPod controller. Connect up to the socket in the armrest, and you have full touch control of your music. Whether it be my Deeper Groove house mixes (which is as close to clubbing as I can manage these days) or Coffee Break French lessons (in preparation for a family holiday across the Channel), I tend to use my iPod to listen to podcasts, and the Insight’s method of operation is much simpler than some other systems I’ve encountered.

If, like me, you still haven’t made the transition fully from CD to MP3, then inserting/ejecting an old-fashioned compact disc is straightforward – pressing the ‘open’ button to left of the screen causes it to tilt up from the bottom, revealing the CD slot behind.

Honda Insight 1.3 IMA ES-T Hybrid CVT
Mileage 4947
Claimed combined
consumption
61.4mpg
Our average consumption 42.4mpg
P11D price £19,233
Model price range £16,225-£19,290
CO2 (tax) 105g/km (10%)
BIK 20/40% per month £32/£64
Service interval 1yr/12,500mls
Insurance group 6e
Warranty 3yrs/90,000mls
Boot space (min/max) 408/584 litres
Engine size/power 1339cc/102hp
Top speed/0-62mph 113mph/12.5secs
Why we’re running it Can Insight can match
Honda’s high
expectations?
Positive Satnav/stereo
touch-screen
Negative Hard ride quality,
seat comfort