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I noticed a few more tidbits about the interior today. There are quite a few little storage bins and general places for junk around the cabin, making efficient use of the small space that there is inside this car. Onto the driving though, and of course the “hybridness” of the Insight… let me explain.
Honda has provided a few displays and graphics in the driver information centre (instrument panel) to help you get the most out of your Insight in terms of fuel economy. They have also added a “leaf” gauge that lets you know how well you are doing at being environmentally-friendly in your driving technique.
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The leaves go from zero to five, in half leaf increments. For the most part I am able to win the grand prize by displaying five leaves. It’s like winning the slot machine! Only, you don’t get your payout until you get to the gas station, where you may need to put slightly less fuel in than you would had you not earned as many leaves on the display. Gimmicky? Yes.
The speedometer also has a “green meter” that glows green if you are driving efficiently and changes colours from green to aqua to blue, and then to a darker blue when you drive more aggressively. Accelerate normally with traffic and you will be seeing blue; cruise at a constant speed and the green will be prominent. I have realized you can keep the display green and accelerate but you may have other drivers honking, weaving around you and generally ruining your day.
Unlike Hybrids from Toyota, Ford and Nissan the Insight requires that the engine be running at all times when in motion. It is somewhat disappointing when you are stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. The engine will turn off automatically when you come to a stop and will restart when you release the brake. Getting stuck in a traffic jam should be when you get to relish in your hybrid chariot as you creep forward for hours without using a drop of fuel. But in the Insight it becomes a pain as the engine constantly starts and stops and rocks you back and forth as you crawl along, already in the foul mood fostered by rush hour.
On the handling front, the Insight is somewhat fun to drive, with the typical Honda lightweight feel. It is easy to drive and toss around — which is good, because keeping the speeds up in the corners is a great way to save fuel!
