Although there were reports last week that currency and other factors had added £1,000 or so to the prices, Honda UK has nonetheless managed to pitch its new entry-level Insight hybrid SE GBP2,380 under Toyota’s Prius at GBP15,490. How Toyota, with a redesigned Prius waiting in the wings will respond, remains to be seen.
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Hond will also launch a higher-specification Insight ES at GBP16,790.
The SE has CO2 emissions of 101g/km and combined EU test cycle fuel economy of 64.2mpg, and will come with 15-inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, electric folding door mirrors, front and rear electric windows, steering wheel audio controls and stability control as standard.
The better equipped ES is expected to be the best seller with16-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, front fog lights, heated front seats, leather steering wheel and gear knob, paddle shift, privacy glass and a USB port for MP3 players.
A luxury ES-T version adds hands free telephone and DVD satellite navigation for GBP18,390.
Honda UK said its own research had found that most drivers think hybrids are more expensive and in the past this has stopped them adopting the cleaner engine technology.
“In our most recent public survey, of those who wouldn’t consider a hybrid vehicle, 40% said price is the main reason they’re put off.
For most drivers, hybrid cars have been viewed as an expensive alternative to petrol and diesel models, seen as a status symbol. The Insight – and its lower price position – will make hybrid technology available to more people, including car buyers who would never have considered a hybrid before.”
The entry Insight is £300 cheaper than a VW Golf 1.6 S automatic, and around GBP2,000 cheaper than a Ford Focus Econetic Man or Honda’s own Civic Hybrid ES CVT.
Annusl UK road tax is only GBP15 a year (the average is about 10 times that), company car tax is low, and is exempt from the London congestion charge.
As a company car, the Insight’s low emissions mean it qualifies for the lowest benefit-in-kind tax bracket of 10% and 100% write down allowance.
