Living in rural areas – of which Wales has many - means that a reliable car is essential, and the new Honda hybrid car is the perfect way to get around and save money on fuel at the same time. In addition, we all know that Wales is a beautiful part of the UK, so keeping it green should be a priority. This latest offering from Honda is certainly one way to do that. So, what does this range of cars have to offer, and why should we all be lining up at the dealership to try one out?
Honda has always been at the forefront when it comes to development of green technology. The Civic engine has always been one of the lowest emission petrol engines available, and since 1972 Honda have been striving to improve on that. From their solar car in 1993 through to the natural gas Civic GX in 1997 and on to the first hybrid in 1999, Honda just keep reaching the heights of clean technology without compromising on style or performance.
While living in rural Wales might be idyllic, it can be a pain to get around. Long and winding rural roads can cause a fuel headache for most people, but by buying a Honda Civic Hybrid, you can significantly cut down on the amount of fuel you consume. In fact, the rating of 61.4mpg means that visits to the petrol station are few and far between. Add to that the fact that this model starts at just £18,975 and the excuses for not buying one start to diminish even further.
The Civic Hybrid is designed with performance in mind, but this doesn't detract from simple good looks. With 15 inch alloys, integrated indicators, tapered headlights and front fog-lights, this car is meant to be appreciated from every angle. If you wish, you can even opt for full leather throughout to improve on the heated front seats.
Indeed, it’s perfect for a drive in the Welsh mountains.
Often, we associate clean and green cars with being boring, but Honda have come up with the perfect antidote to this by producing a sporty looking coupe in their Hybrid range of cars. With alloy wheels, a driver computer, vehicle stability assist and climate controlled air conditioning the CR-Z Hybrid is far from boring and will turn heads wherever you go. The sporty model also has three modes to drive in: either Econ, if you want to be clean and green, Normal, for everyday motoring, and Sport, for when you really want the excitement and action of a sports car. A coloured display will even tell you how well you are driving – either green for efficient or blue for normal.
Even though the CR-Z Hybrid is a green car, it doesn't mean that you have to lose that great sports engine sound. In fact, the 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder i-VTEC engine works in conjunction with the electric motor to provide a great sound and incredible performance.
In addition to all this, the next car in the range, the Insight Hybrid, was developed in response to the fact that young people and families, the ones who are interested in buying more fuel efficient cars, can often not afford them. The Insight Hybrid was designed to fit that brief and has a futuristic look which young people love - and the driving credentials to match. The digital speedometer, electric windows, MP3 compatibility and alloy wheels add a touch of glamour to what is essentially a well-priced and understated car. Ranging in price from just £16,325 up to £18,935 for the ES-T model, the Insight Hybrid is an affordable way to enter the hybrid market for the average family. The ES-T model even includes DVD Satellite navigation and hands-free technology – allowing you to drive safer as well as driving for the planet.
The Insight is incredibly cheap to run with just 64.2mpg - allowing the owner to slip into the B VED tax band. So, this car will not only save on fuel bills, but overall running costs will be less, as well. Add to that the eight year or 100,000 mile warranty and you have a car which you can rely on, even in the middle of a Welsh winter.
The car also has an Econ button, which will ensure that the engine is reacting in the most efficient way. It does this by adjusting the air conditioning, extending the idle stop and increasing the regenerative recharging when the brakes are used.
The Eco Asisst system provides everyday guidance on the performance of the car in relation to the driver. It will tell you if you are driving or braking too aggressively by switching the colours on the speedometer from green to blue. At the end of each journey, you can even get a score telling you how well you drove. This Eco-score is added to your lifetime score, so you can be safe in the knowledge that with each time you drive, you are heading closer towards driving more efficiently and doing your bit for the planet.
Perhaps most importantly, the Insight Hybrid has won the maximum of 5 stars in the European New Car Assessment programme, making it one of the safest cars in its class. In fact, when it comes to hybrids, the Insight sets a new benchmark for safety.
The hybrid range also comes with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which allows the car to move up and down the gears without you even noticing. Noise from the engine is greatly reduced, and the old jerkiness you get from gear changes is virtually eliminated. This also helps with fuel consumption – making for a win-win situation.
The cars feature coloured bands on the speedometer which let you know if you are saving fuel as you drive - and when you are over-spending. By keeping within a certain range, you can be sure than you are always getting the best bang for your buck. This feature allows you to never take your driving for granted - ensuring that your thoughts are not just on whether you will get to your destination on time, but also if you will be helping the environment while you get there.