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:

• 

  Caravan to Hybrid - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Mister Bill - November 7 - 1:00 am

  After totaling my 2003 Dodge Caravan, I looked at 5 different vehicles to replace it and ended up with an Insight. The fuel mileage is what sold me on a lease. The car has a hi tech proven power train vs. the KIA Forte which has a higher tech interior only. The ride is busy but produces good handling on cornering despite the battery weight. The main review states that the engine crankshaft keeps rotating yet often my tachometer goes to 0 at a full stop? and I just snicker that the guy next to me is burning fuel going nowhere. he he. There is some rattling going over bumps coming from the open back area. Have to take it back to be looked at.

• 

  The Car That ONLY Last 6 Months! - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Liz - September 4 - 10:24 am

  I have had my Insight for almost a year. I love the lights in the inside and the cool gadgets within the car. There is just one major problem! The car completely falls apart. I can take apart ever piece of my car without any muscle used. Between the water protective rubber around the windows and car.. to the visors and handle bars within the cars. The paint job is poor and the car always feels like is having a hard time slowing down. Not the smoothest ride. The back ceiling is very low. Too low in fact.

• 

  Rather regretful - 2010 Honda Insight
  By kay - May 28 - 10:53 pm

  Really slow on the uphill. I gave up pep for top gas mileage. Although I have gone by the book to maximize my MPG I have been averaging 29 city and 32 highway. Needless to say I am very disappointed. The car has an odd feel on the highway - its hard to describe, but there is a play in the steering that causes it to feel like it has a slight fishtail movement which makes me a little motion sick. I love the exterior design but feel the interior has design flaws. I agonized over whether to buy the Insight or Prius. I loved many features of the Prius but didnt feel they were worth the price diff. I am regretting my choice.

• 

  Not enough power for Texas summer - 2010 Honda Insight
  By In Texas - February 6 - 11:23 pm

  Although I look like sportiness of the car, dont buy it if you live somewhere hot like Texas. When you come to a stoplight, the A/C turns off. You can override by turning off the Econ button, but then what is the point of having a hybrid. Ive also found it doesnt have enough power to accelerate when merging into traffic with the hills we have here. Ive owned Hondas for 25 years and was adamant about not getting a Prius, but now Im regretting it. I do like the ability to see gas mileage and how my driving affects it, and Im getting good gas mileage, although not as good as my Prius friends.

• 

  Juans New Hybrid - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Juan Valdez - May 29 - 3:26 am

  When I did the math this car will not pay for itself in 10 years. In the mean time my head hits the door edge getting in and out and Im only 58". The back seat is for decoration as my teens cant fit in there with the sloping roof and no leg room. The interior is very plastic with only one cheap removable drink holder for 2 small child size cups. The fabric seems cheap too and stains easily with its dirty looking brownish gray color. It even has the cheap Dunlop tires. Be careful when you lean on it. I should have bought that Honda Fit. Though its a lot cheaper, it essentially gets the same real world gas mileage. The Fit is just as tiny and plastic, but will save a bundle of cash!!

• 

  review - 2000 Honda Insight
  By eejjp - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great personal vehicle (no back seat). Cant beat the mileage. Has been factory realled 6 times.

• 

  Milage not what I expected - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Bodnar - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Having driven about 10000 miles both in city and from Dallas, Tx to Ocala, Fl and back I can say the milage is nowhere near the 56MPG rating. Lack of cruise control really hurts. If you are used to cruise control you will have to change the way you drive or the speed will easily creep up to 80 and above. The best milage I have achieved is 52MPG highway and 46 in town. Once the summer temperatures go up you can expect those numbers to drop 20% because of the air conditioner. Electric motor is noisy.

• 

  You gotta be kidding... - 2010 Honda Insight
  By beachmom - April 21 - 4:36 pm

  It is hard for me to type as my neck and shoulders hurt from holding a steering wheel that operates like a go-cart or video game. This car cannot handle any sort of incline. People were passing me on the right to get around me. The mileage isnt that much better than any of the traditional smaller gas cars. My only consolation is putting less money in the hands of the gas companies. No room to speak of in the back, maybe for groceries. Looking out the back window is ridiculous, the window is split in half. A terrible design. My husband liked the car, and stupidly I didnt drive it before we bought it. The stereo is tinny and cheap, not for music lovers.