Honda Insight ZE2

The second-generation Insight was the budget answer to the Prius — a simple mild-hybrid system with the LDA (1.3 IMA) and a CVT that never drives on electricity alone but only assists the petrol engine. It returns around 4.3–4.6 l/100 km in practice and lasts well (260,000 km is not unusual). Buyers are pragmatists who put economy over green image; payload and rear room are tight.

Test-drive checklist: The key point is the IMA hybrid battery — watch the charge bar: rapid yo-yoing between full and empty, poor charging or an IMA warning light point to a degraded pack. On climbs and under acceleration, note any missing electric assist. The CVT should not shudder when pulling away (use only approved Honda CVT fluid). The A/C compressor's magnetic clutch engages unreliably with age (a cheap shim kit helps). Clear the Takata airbag recall by VIN.

2026 market: Low supply, often only 20–30 cars nationwide. Pre-facelift (2009–2011) sits at $4,000–7,700; the facelift (2012–2014, Exclusive) at $7,000–12,000. What sets the price is less the model year than the battery condition and whether the recalls are done.

Insider pick: a 2012–2014 facelift in Exclusive trim with a healthy IMA pack. The battery cost is the central risk: a new Honda pack ($2,800–3,500) often means an economic write-off, while a reconditioned pack is the cheaper rescue. Beware: a "new battery" often means only the small 12V starter battery, not the high-voltage pack.