Launched back in 1999, the first-generation Honda Insight was one of the first hybrid cars to go on sale.

The original Honda Insight was launched as a two-door coupe and is now regarded as a modern classic thanks to its quirky looks and incredible fuel efficiency. It was never the most practical car though and the latest generation Honda Insight is totally different, aiming for a more mass market appeal. 

Despite being practical and reliable, the key selling point of the Honda Insight, is efficiency and Honda claims its 1.3-litre petrol/electric drivetrain will return a combined mpg of 67mpg with CO2 emissions hovering at the 97g/km mark.

The performance of the Honda Insight is adequate, with Honda claiming a 0-100kph time of 12.5 seconds and a top speed of 113mph. In order to maximise economy, the Honda Insight also gets an Eco button, which limits the response of the engine.

While earlier versions of the Honda Insight suffered from a hard ride, revisions in the past few years have improved things considerably, and the suspension now does a decent job of soaking up bumps and lumps in the road.

Honda gives the Insight a futuristic interior, and one of our favourite parts is the glowing speedometer, which turns green when you drive economically and dark blue when you don't. What's more, Honda has been generous with kit across the Insight range, with entry level HE and HE-T models getting 15-inch alloy wheels, climate control, all-round electric windows and MP3 compatibility as standard.

The mid-range HS and HS-T Honda Insight models get slightly more equipment with 16-inch alloys, automatic wipers and lights as standard, as well as rear parking sensors, front fog lights and a USB socket. The range topping HX cars get Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a sat-nav system with traffic updates and voice recognition.

The Honda Insight is impressively safe, with Euro NCAP awarding it the maximum five-stars in its crash test ratings. In terms of scores per category, the Honda Insight scored an excellent 90 per cent for adult occupant protection and 86 per cent for its safety assist features