Honda's hybrids score tech and trim update

Honda has upgraded its petrol-electric small-car range with a number of technology and upholstery revisions aimed at improving the appeal of its Civic and Insight hybrid models.

The Honda Civic Hybrid now scores satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic updates, a DVD player, a reversing camera with guidelines, Smart Entry and push-button start, daytime running lights and vanity mirror illumination on top of its already-generous equipment list.

The Civic Hybrid also receives grey leather upholstery and the option of two new paint colours -- White Orchid Pearlescent and Carnelian Red Pearlescent. It is priced from $33,990 (plus ORCs), a saving of $2000, with metallic or pearlescent paint attracting a charge of $575.

Honda’s mid-life refresh for the Insight is also introduced at a lower price. The entry-spec petrol-electric Insight VTi hybrid model now retails for $26,990 (plus on-road costs), a saving of $3000, while the high-grade Insight VTi-L starts from $30,490 (plus ORCs), also saving $3000. Both models attract a $575 surcharge for metallic paint.

The Honda Insight sold just five examples during the month of June (2013), a fall of over 78 per cent from the same time last year. Year-to-date figures are equally slow, with the Insight tallying just 31 sales since the beginning of the year. At the end of June last year (2012), Honda had registered 147 Insight models.

Separate figures for the hybrid-specific Civic were not available, although we can report that the Civic range as a whole is enjoying a spike in sales. The increase can be attributed to the refreshing of the sedan in November last year, and the introduction of an all-new Civic hatch model 12 months ago, with an all-new diesel-powered model joining the range in April of this year.

For June, the current Civic range sold 1908 examples, representing an increase of 184 per cent over the same time last year. YTD sales are also up, the Civic range totalling 8501 registrations since January 1 (2013), more than doubling the amount of Civics sold to the same time last year.

Honda Australia director, Stephen Collins, said he is hopeful the adjustment in price of the Civic and Insight hybrid models will help drive interest to the showroom floor.

“The price repositioning of these two hybrid models, along with technology upgrades to the Civic Hybrid, demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with the best value cars that suit their lifestyle,” said Collins.

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