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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  2002 Honda Insight review - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Doug Myers - August 2 - 8:14 pm

  From Mile zero to 42345 the average mpg is 62.2 overall. Highest was a trip of 320 miles and averaged 89.2 mpg. Yes, I had a tailwind - -)

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  For real: 70 MPG - 2000 Honda Insight
  By Dan - July 28 - 12:27 am

  Bought my little beastie with 36,000 on it, have put another 6000 on it. Ive averaged, mixed city and highway, 70.6 MPG, with an occasional 80 MPG on the highway. Comfortable, reasonable performance, perfect car for my needs. Its STRANGE to go 700 plus miles on 10 gallons of gas! Plenty of luggage space, I routinely put my road or my mountain bike in the back, and have even put two bikes in (a bit of a trick, had to take one pedal off).

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  $11.00 per month on Gas - 2000 Honda Insight
  By sharon wilson - July 26 - 11:08 pm

  I think I was one of the first to buy this car, I spent $11 per month on gas, one fill up. The only problem was people was always coming up to me asking about it. My top MPG was a 230 mile trip in which I got 93 miles per gallon. You wont get a speeding ticket with this car but you will save alot of money on gas, I would buy another one in a heartbeat. It is a great little car. I absolutely love it.

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  My Insight Driving Expirence - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Andrew J - July 24 - 9:53 pm

  I drive mainly on interstate highway. My commute to work is about 96 miles round trip, all but 10miles are super highway. The vehicle has nearly 115,000 miles with an overall average mpg of 64.3. I havent had any problems with the car and have replaced 4 tires once, and the front brakes just once. Because of the conditions of our Mass highways, I have had to replace the windshield twice and will need to replace it a third time before the next inspection. My Insight is a 5 speed manual with air conditioning.

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  Better than expected - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Steve - July 11 - 1:16 pm

  This car accelerates better than I expected. I thought itd be a dog, but its much quicker than I thought it would be. The only problem Ive had is with the odometer. Its stuck on the current trip mileage and wont return to overall mileage, so Ill need to get this repaired so Ill know when to change the oil. Ive been cross country with this car half a dozen times or so, I wish it had cruise control, but thats not an option. The ride is a little more harsh than most cars, but Im used to it, and going long distance is no problem. I can get the advertised 65 mpg highway IF I drive 55mph, but I just drive it the normal hwy speed and get about 50 mpg hwy. Overall I get 47 mpg.

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  Brilliant Insight - 2000 Honda Insight
  By Brilliant Insight - July 10 - 11:41 am

  This vehicle certainly delivers as advertised. I do not care so much about fuel costs as environmental impact and with an average of 69 MPGs and the lowest emissions of any gasoline vehicle on the planet, I feel this vehicle treads lightly. There is plenty of storage space (I carry an entire soccer teams gear to matches weekly) and the acceleration is what is needs to be for highway driving. The handling is confortable and the gauges informative as you can adjust your driving habits to maximize the cars abilities to conserve. This is my 8th car, and by far my absolute favorite.

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  the jetson mobile - 2002 Honda Insight
  By montecarlobluepearl - July 2 - 7:36 pm

  i get between 45-55 mpg in the winter and up to 70mpg in the summer. Awesome vehicle even handles well in up to a foot of snow. Can get up to 90mph on the highway. Havent had any problems with it since I bought it.

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  Drive what you need! - 2000 Honda Insight
  By Firecracker - June 27 - 10:58 pm

  I never considered the insight until a technology savvy person convinced me to test drive it. (I was not keen on the side skirts) Once I did I loved it and traded my Audi A6 in on the spot. Best decision I ever made! My lifestyle was very welcoming to a Honda Insight. I have been excited to drive it every day for the past 2.5 years. There is always a smug look on my face when I drive through the gas station past all the SUV owners and walk inside, just to get a soda! The thing is most people dont drive what they need. All seem to own a vehicle that could move a whole house if necessary. I say, buy the insight for the rest of the days you are not on the move to save $$$

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  SO MUCH FUN I WANT TWO - 2003 Honda Insight
  By FRED - June 22 - 2:31 pm

  This is the most fun car to drive and for a 64" guy, comfortable and zippy.I want to buy another in a different color it is so much fun. I have a Mercedes convertible, a Lexus Wagon and my daughter a new Cabriolet. You can have all of them. I like driving alone and have as much space in the back of my Insight as my Lexus. I am going to dump my others and get a blue one. I may not drive that much, but I get there faster than the huge SUVs who try and kill me out of jealousy. Never seem to put gas..what high prices? It is so quiet I never know if it is running. This is the least written or reviewed hybrid because it isnt a family car. I am glad I got rid of them.

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  Go twice as far for half as much - 2006 Honda Insight
  By Matt - June 14 - 8:52 pm

  If you have a long commute to work like I do, this is the car for you. I have a 120 mile round trip each day from work. I was driving a blazer before gas was even breaking $2.00/gal and was spending more each month on gas then my car payment. I still have the blazer, because I live in New England, and this car will not get you out of the snow. It has smooth pick up, and at 75-80mph I still average 52mpg. You cant beat that.