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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  Great car - 2000 Honda Insight
  By Teresa - January 5 - 12:04 pm

  No I dont have to plug it in. This vehicle has been incredibly reliable, like every other Honda I have owned. The color looks as fresh as if it was brand new. Everything is easy about this car, washing it, checking and changing the oil, and driving. The trips tho the gas station are the best attribute. 10 gallons of regular gas gets 500 miles of driving. Cant beat that.

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  Ive got one - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Jperez1204 - December 31 - 5:03 pm

  This car is the coolest thing around. Theres no other car in the world where you drive in style and get 75mpg at the same time. Ive owned my Insight for 4yrs now I get close to 800 miles per tank. I would highly recommend this car to anyone who wants to save their money and not give it away to the Billionares on the oil companys, at the same time your saving the enviroment. You will get so many looks and questions everywhere you go. Four years later an I still get questions everytime I fill up well thats every month and a half.... If you want to save you money and use it for something else buy a Honda Insight youll the car and attention that comes with it....

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  my most excellent Insight - 2004 Honda Insight
  By tom driscoll - December 31 - 1:06 am

  This is by far the best car I ever drove. It handles great, goes as fast as I want, and gets over 80 mpg on the highway. It has plenty of cargo space. Just driving it and seeing the effect of my formerly heavy left foot on the mileage has transformed my driving from the usual "get there first" attitude to "get there in my own sweet time", and I enjoy driving much more now without the usual rush. If youre man enough to let go of beating everyone else youll love it.

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  LONG-Term Honda Insight - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Woody Smith - December 30 - 8:07 pm

  Mine is a 2000 Insight purchased in March, 2000. It now has 116,000 miles on the odometer and has been absolutely trouble free. I mean, not even as much as a single lightbulb has ever needed replacement. In brief, it is the very best car I have ever owned by a VERY wide margin, and Ive owned a few, including a big Mercedes, two BMWs, two Volvos, an Alfa Romeo, and other nice cars. Its a spectacular long-distance cruiser -- I once went over 800 miles actually nonstop, and only stopped then because I had to pee -- I still had gasoline left in the 10.6 gal tank. Its quiet and comfy and is the only car Ive ever owned where I dont need the seat all the way back. I absolutely LOVE it!

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  Hybrids KICK GAS - 2004 Honda Insight
  By CraigSquirrel - December 30 - 4:02 pm

  Much more fun than we ever imagined. Quick and fast. Cruises on highway at 70-90 with no problem other than having to occasionaly downshift. Concentrating on milage we get upper 60mpgs. Driving fast low 50s. In city, Washington DC, no option other than drive aggressively we get low 40s. Great city car because nimble and quick. When supersized, dark colored SUVs tend to get aggressive its a simple matter to leave them in the rear view mirror with a smile. Many people think the car is all electric and most dont know it gets up to 70 mpg and can go 115 mph. Commercial media, the one source most Americans use for news, does a horrible job of informing the public.

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  ride the countryside - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Baron - December 30 - 1:43 pm

  This is a vehicle worthy of your disposable dollars. I have an automatic and the only disappointing item about this vehicle is that the fuel estimates should be revised with each number going down by 10 (highway/City). Even then it is a great buy. I purchased based on the epa estimates. They were close but not quite right. I would but it again and again. I am funding my 401k catch up contribution with the gas savings that I am receiving. I cant imagine why anyone would pay such ridiculous prices for gas anymore. I guess it was because we didnt have a choice. Now we do.

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  A Winner in my Book! - 2004 Honda Insight
  By DelightedInsightOwne - December 30 - 12:01 pm

  I bought the second insight my Honda dealer received in 2000 and I now have driven it 37,253 miles. Over that time and distance it has averaged 68.6 miles per gallon, and gradually rising! I live on a hill about 400 higher than the surrounding more or less level terrain in a suburban bed-room area. The best mileage I ever logged on a single leg was 93 miles per gallon on a 120 mile trip with few hills. I was on an Interstate and stayed in the right lane and drove at the truckers speed limit - 55 miles per hour. My wifes car is a new Honda Accord Hybrid because we have been so satisfied with the 2 seater. She needs more capacity for occasional trips with friends, heavier loads, etc.

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  Why this is my all-time favorite car - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Marilyn Voorhies - December 30 - 9:58 am

  My Insight is by far the best car Ive ever owned and if I buy another car, it is sure to be an Insight. Yes, it only holds two people, but 95% of my driving doesnt require a larger capacity. If it does, I borrow my husbands 5-passenger car. The Insights reliability is perfect in my 20,000 miles of driving I have yet to have anything fail I get raves from just about everyone who sees the car. Its performance is flawless.

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  MOST FUN CAR - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Fred - December 15 - 9:02 pm

  I have four cars....Mercedes 280 convertible,VW Cabriolet convertible, Mazda truck,and the Honda....It is the most fun car I have ever had and I never feel like I ever need to fill it.The only thing lacking is leather uphostery but I love zipping around in it more than any car I have owned.All my cars have a reason. The Mercedes 280 SE is probably the most beautiful car ever but too heavy for engine but still knocks people away...ALWAYS used in movies whenever they want a classy car for stars even today.Mine original.

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  Technology and Fun In One Great Package - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Lawson Huntley - December 12 - 7:10 pm

  This has been a fun car to drive, and full of nice surprises. To begin with, I purchased the Insight because of its advanced hybrid technology. I knew it achieved great fuel milage, but I didnt know it was such a great handling auto, and so much fun to drive. Ive been on a few long trips and the car is very comfortable all day long. Lots of people ask about the auto whenever I fuel up (which isnt very often).