Overview & Reviews

When the Honda Insight two-door hybrid-powered hatchback first arrived on American shores, few people knew what to make of it. Dwarfed by the day's massive SUVs, this two-seater's oddball styling made it look as if it came off the set of a futuristic movie. Little did we know that it really was the car of the future -- thanks to the volatility of gas prices in the following years, hybrids soon became prized for their superior fuel economy. However, while the original Insight was remarkably fuel-efficient, it ultimately lacked the practicality found both in "real cars" and Toyota's four-door Prius.

Years later, Honda revived the Insight name, determined to rectify the original Insight's shortcomings. Like the first Insight, the current-generation model combines a small gas engine with an electric motor that's powered by a battery pack. The current powertrain falls short of its predecessor's impressive 60-plus-mpg potential on the highway, but the second-generation Insight is a superior car in all other respects. Its convenient four-door hatchback design provides decent cargo space and a tight but usable rear seat, and it still returns around 40 mpg combined. Compared to other modern hybrids like the Ford C-Max and Toyota Prius, however, the latest Insight comes up short in fuel economy, features and overall refinement.

Current Honda Insight
The latest Honda Insight, a four-door hybrid hatchback with seating for five, is available in base, LX and uplevel EX trim. Standard equipment for the base model includes 15-inch steel wheels, antilock brakes, stability control, automatic climate control and a two-speaker sound system. The LX adds cruise control, four speakers for the sound system and an iPod/USB audio interface. The EX comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, steering-wheel audio controls and six speakers. The EX can also be equipped with a navigation system (that includes a rearview camera) and Bluetooth.

Under the Insight's hood is Honda's familiar Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. IMA starts with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 88 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque that's supplemented by an electric motor that kicks in when needed to add another 13 hp and 58 lb-ft. A nickel-metal hydride battery pack keeps the electric motor whirring, and regenerative braking helps keep the battery pack charged. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) directs the power plant's output to the Insight's front wheels.

In reviews, we've found that the current Honda Insight delivers on the promise of miserly fuel economy. However, that fuel economy is still below what rivals like the C-Max and Prius achieve. Other downsides to the Insight include an unsophisticated ride, mediocre rear seat room and elevated amounts of road noise.

Used Honda Insight Models
When the current second-generation Insight debuted in 2010, it was only offered in LX and EX trim levels. The base trim was added the following year. Notable updates occurred for 2012 and included refreshed front and rear styling, more sound insulation, a bit more rear seat headroom (via a reconfigured rear seat), a redesigned gauge cluster and an updated navigation system (with rearview camera). Since then the Insight has been unchanged.

The first-generation Honda Insight was produced from 2000-'06. It was powered by a 1.0-liter inline three-cylinder engine that put out 67 hp. A lightweight electric motor supported the gas engine with low-end torque and provided extra power under acceleration. Combined, the IMA hybrid system was rated at 73 hp and 91 lb-ft of torque when coupled to the five-speed manual transmission. The optional CVT dropped these figures a bit.

Available in just one trim, the Insight came standard with full power accessories and a CD player. Automatic climate control (with air-conditioning) was optional, and many Insights had a dealer-installed CD changer in the hatch area.

In reviews, we found that the original Honda Insight wasn't very practical as a daily driver. It had a small cargo area, a paltry 365-pound payload capacity, a battery pack that drained fairly easily and rather pokey acceleration. The first Insight was also plagued by excessive road noise at highway speeds, and its ride was uncomfortably stiff. With regard to maximum fuel efficiency, though, the original Insight certainly delivered the goods -- manual-transmission models were EPA rated at 52 mpg in mixed driving, and 60 mpg or more was quite feasible in highway driving.

As a used hybrid, a first-generation Honda Insight could make sense for a buyer keen on the car's high fuel economy and distinctive look and willing to put up with the car's faults. Based on our own experience and anecdotal evidence, reliability for first-generation Insights should be similar to that of other Honda products. Since the Insight didn't change much over the years, shoppers can likely pay more attention to actual condition or mileage than model year.

User Reviews:

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  Underrated Hybrid - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Skylane95 - April 27 - 12:20 am

  Just over 1100 miles-averaging 47 mpg in a 70/30 highway/city mix. Much quieter than my 2003 Jetta TDI. I cruise @ 65 mph on the highway-impressive economy,reasonable pick-up, fun to drive. Drivers seat is excellent. Well finished. Smoother than the TDI. Lacks the incredible road feel of the VW, but has its own distinct quality-not as direct/secure, but very confident. Was going to buy a Prius(a much more sophisticated engineering marvel), but did not like being insulated from the driving experience.

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  Much better MPG than EPA ratings! - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Lenny - April 16 - 9:57 pm

  Just filled up for the first time-better than 44 mpg (actual) since new 370 miles). My other car is a 2003 Jetta TDI. The Insight is different-it lacks the outstanding road feel of the VW, but is much smoother and less noisy. Fun to drive, great gadgetry (nav with bluetooth link). Decent road feel and handling.

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  Insight over Prius - 2010 Honda Insight
  By APinMD - April 14 - 1:44 pm

  Always wanted a hybrid, by default that meant the Prius. Test drove both in one day (within an hour-highly recommend). Insight surprised spouse and me--we both loved it WAY more than Prius. Very easy and user friendly displays, love the instant MPG color feedback. Very good pick-up, can zip around quickly, never guess its a hybrid. I leave it in Eco Mode all the time. Start/stop driving: I get ~43- 45 mpg with regular driving style, 49- 50 with some effort to "green" my driving style :) On the highway up to 55 mpg with little effort. I LOVE this car. Never thought Id like anything better than my 2003 Jetta. But I DO!

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  Fun Battery Car - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Lund - April 6 - 1:50 pm

  Perfect car for commuter and/or run-about-towners. Handling makes up for lack of acceleration and 45+mpg makes up for everything else. Very up-market exterior styling blows away Prius plus one can stop the car when one wants!

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  Insights to the Insight - 2010 Honda Insight
  By hunter20ga - April 3 - 10:15 am

  Ive had my Insight EX for ten months and still find it fun to drive, easy on gas, generally well-designed and (annoyingly) still regularly mistaken by friends, colleagues and the general public for a Prius. Ive put 5500 miles on it and averaged just under 44 mpg. (I live on the hilly end of town, make multiple short trips every week, and live in a cold climate (it never got above freezing all February) so have many factors lowering realized mpg. I have gotten as high as 48.5 mpg for 300+ mile trips on the interstate. I test drove the 2010 Prius as well as the Civic hybrid. Both are fine cars, but the Insight was best for me.

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  Insight Trumps Prius - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Bill - March 19 - 11:12 am

  Simply outstanding Green Machine. Fuel economy (45 mph average) is 47 with heat/AC on, and over 50 with heat/AC off! Good acceleration and excellent response. Couldnt be happier. Why pay more for a Prius and get less?

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  Insight after 5000 miles - 2010 Honda Insight
  By cd - March 17 - 4:30 pm

  The car does nothing to clue you in that you are driving a hybrid except shut down when you stop and return excellent mpg. I have gotten from 40 to 62 mpg on trips and of course the cold start, short trips get the lowest and the under 55 mph longer trips get the best. If you go 70 mph on the highway you will get better mpg with the econ mode off. As for the paddle shifters I have not made use of them except on a trip through the Great Smoky mountains. I would downshift to keep the car from running away on the long downward grades, otherwise I would have worn the brakes out because the regenerative braking was not working because the battery was charged to the max due to the downward grade.

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  great car for a guy to commute. - 2003 Honda Insight
  By crazyjake1982 - March 14 - 6:24 pm

  I bought this car new in march of 2003 and I have put 130,000 miles on it. It has been very reliable and rugged. I drive 52 miles one way to work and I get an honest 60 miles per gallon on every tank full. It is not good on snow being so low, and its performance on ice was terrible with the original tires, I soon bought snow tires and that was well worth the money. I love this car.

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  great car! - 2010 Honda Insight
  By teacher - March 13 - 8:34 am

  Have enjoyed getting to know my Insight having driven for it almost a year now. Mileage is terrific - colder weather was around 40 mpg and with weather warming up i am now getting 44-45. cant beat that. headlights could be improved - needs broader area of light. also the split back window, while a beautiful design, is a little odd for seeing out back and backing up. overall, a great car with a great ride. the added leather interior is a nice upgrade!

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  We bought another one - 2010 Honda Insight
  By cgold - March 7 - 11:18 am

  We liked our insight so much that my wife bought one for herself. We both get more than the EPA mileage estimate. The car is fun and easy to drive. We can fit four adults easily and there has been no complaint of lack of headroom in the rear. We look forward to the hybrid fit as we would like to have a small SUV that gets great gas mileage.