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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Insight Remains Extreme - 2005 Honda Insight
By Bob - March 24 - 12:52 amWe own a Prius, Accord Hybrid and anInsight. Nothing beats the Insight on mileage. Its fun to drive and perfectly wonderful for daily activities and commuting.
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An overview and corrections - 2005 Honda Insight
By Frank Manley - March 23 - 9:46 pm84 yrs old, and cars all my life, including Ferrari, and road racing, This is finest engineered ever, with worlds most advanced engine. Also, fun to drive. You guys lie a lot-the 5 speed will give 65 M/G all day. 70 M/G is common. I have a CVT and can get 60 plus/gal on flat roads to Cal. from Seattle. Next year when oil goes to 80/barrel, I will have to lock it up!
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honda insight 2001 - 2005 Honda Insight
By sharon wilson - March 16 - 1:12 amGreat mileage car, filled up for $11.00 and it would last a whole month. Not too much pick up-you will never get a speeding ticket. I had the 2001 which was to get 50 mpg in town and 70 on the highway, this was quite accurate - once on a highway trip I got 93 miles per gallon. I didnt like people coming up to me wanting to talk about the car all the time. It is built real solid and accident resistant. You could push in the fender with your thumb and it would pop back out. I was sitting in traffic on the highway at a dead standstill, and someone ran into me about 65-70 miles per hour, the car was so well built it took them about a week to discover the car was totaled. I would buy another one.
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One word, AWESOME! - 2001 Honda Insight
By Brian Tennis - March 1 - 2:32 amNot sure why Edmunds rates this car so low, could it be that that simply did not give something so unique and worthwile a chance? The amazing gas mileage aside, this is a VERY reliable and fun car to drive. My wife and I bought it brand new and have put over 75,000 miles on this vehicle and have had to do only minor repairs. Windshield wipers, oil changes and tires come to mind. This is a great car for us, however it may not be for everyone. You cannot have a lead foot or be an overly large human being with this car. Its small and its not going to do any burn-outs, but it just might make individuals think about their actual driving needs and not some imaginary status symbol. SUVs suck!
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windows - 2005 Honda Insight
By robert c. schulze - February 26 - 3:11 pmyou need to get side vents that let you have the window down and not let rain in.The builds up alot of heat when parked in sun the vents would allow the heat to escape. Something like shade vent makes for other cars. My car is a 2002 Insight. Your 2005 doesn,t look much different.I am afraid the heat might cause windows to popout. thanks
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Homda Insight - 2005 Honda Insight
By WVBoogieman - February 26 - 1:01 pmIts fun to drive, feels safe, gets great gas milage, is a little cramped in the back seat, but most small cars are, seats are a little uncomfortable on very long trips
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Great car for two - 2005 Honda Insight
By alexkoch - February 25 - 2:04 amGreat car for two, compliments my other vehicle (LX470) nicely. Fun to drive, small enough, great design (well, exerior looks are different, no question). I just love it for fule economy, it gets me anywhere for basically nothing, still stylish and great dashboard.
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Fun car, but only for two - 2005 Honda Insight
By Constance Van Valken - February 19 - 6:41 pmI bought the Insight for its excellent mileage. During the summer I did indeed get 56 MPG, but in the winter it came down to 52.6. I carry a passenger sometimes, as well as groceries et al. Took it to Maine from the Midwest last summer. Wonderful trip. Could have used a cruise control, but otherwise could not fault its sports car handling. I used the AC, and still got 55 plus mpg. So nice to ignore all those gas stations, and get 600 miles per fill up. Love the car, even in winter. Heater excellent. Three cylinders make for a quick pickup with the help of the electrics. Never have run out of electric help when needed.
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Fun car, but only for two - 2005 Honda Insight
By Constance Van Valken - February 19 - 6:41 pmI bought the Insight for its excellent mileage. During the summer I did indeed get 56 MPG, but in the winter it came down to 52.6. I carry a passenger sometimes, as well as groceries et al. Took it to Maine from the Midwest last summer. Wonderful trip. Could have used a cruise control, but otherwise could not fault its sports car handling. I used the AC, and still got 55 plus mpg. So nice to ignore all those gas stations, and get 600 miles per fill up. Love the car, even in winter. Heater excellent. Three cylinders make for a quick pickup with the help of the electrics. Never have run out of electric help when needed.
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Thanks to American Honda - 2005 Honda Insight
By What Savings? - February 12 - 3:04 pmThis car is a fantastic design. Unfortunatly it was my bad luck to get one of the lemons? I bought this car because of my long commutes for work and visiting family. Since 2001 with 170K on the car, the Insight has gone through 2 secondary batteries, and 2 main battery system failures! Not to mention several visits because of a bad 02 sensor. In addition the CAT converter had to be replaced at $500.00 out my pocket! Had I paid for the system failures out of pocket it would have been over 12,000 dollars!! Its all I can do to keep up with repairs plus make the monthly payments. Ive tried to get out of this contract, but Im STUCK!
