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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  Zoom Zoom - 2004 Honda Insight
  By jacques - June 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my commute car. I drive 65 miles to and from work, down hill in the morning, no traffic, 55-60 miles all the way. I can get up to 92 miles a gallon especially following a flat bed truck on the flat. There is a speed between 53 and 58 at which the car seems to be running on electric only and charge at same time... amazing. My first 43,000 miles averages 60.8m/g. The 1200 miles from my house to Los Abgeles and back where with a 73m/g average. I have kept track of the mileage at each fillup and every 1000 miles if you need proof. I drove the car at 103 m/h down hill... it zooms. Only problem: leaky struts in back (covered by waranty).

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  DREAM MACHINE - 2004 Honda Insight
  By JON HENRY - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in Oct., 2000. Currently over 50,000 trouble free miles. Mileage depending on driving conditions: +50 mpg in Michigan winter to +60 mpg in summer overall. Have gotten +85 mpg when trying in summer and as low as +47 mpg above 80 mph highway or cold winter mornings. Excellent acceleration. Tight sports car like steering and suspension. Highly recommended.

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  Insight Rocks! - 2004 Honda Insight
  By agroeros - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Only disadvantage is that it is hard to find a garage who will work on it other than your dealer.

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  Love this car - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Van Secrist - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I have not had any problems with this car in the nearly three years I have owned it.

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  Gotta Love It... - 2000 Honda Insight
  By Desert Boy - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Have owned car less than 6 months & it has already saved me over $300 in fuel expenses. As gas prices continue to soar, the savings margin also grows. On daily commute of over 56 miles one way I have been averaging between 80 & 85 mpg & have twice attained 91 mpg (!). My record for a shorter 17 mile trip is 100 mpg. This is a truly awesome vehicle. Of course, achieving these kind of figures requires adopting new, more fuel efficient driving habits. But even when in a hurry, one can easily get 50-60 mpg without even thinking. So, depending on driving conditions and locale you can get 600-900 miles of driving from a single tank. How do you like that, OPEC ?!!!

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  Long-term Honda Insight - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Dr..Planarian - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Mine is a 2000. I bought this car in March, 2000, and it now has 102,000 miles on it. Its been utterly reliable -- nothing has gone wrong. I have replaced the brake pads, tires, and windshield wiper blades only once, and the only problem it ever had is that the passenger side power door lock once failed ($130 repair). I have NEVER needed to replace a light bulb - the lack of vibration in this car makes everything last longer. Ive owned two BMWs, an S-Class Mercedes, two Volvos, an Alfa, and other nice cars, but the Honda Insight is, by a very wide margin, the BEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED, period.

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  Insight Out-of-Sight! - 2004 Honda Insight
  By tennisashoe - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Insight for 3 years and it has saved me over $4000 in fuel costs so far. Its a stylish little car with plenty of room for 2 sets of golf clubs in its roomy trunk. I need a trunk more than a back seat anyway. If you are the only passenger in your car more than 50% of the time, you should be driving an Insight. The fuel and space you are wasting is costing you $$! You dont have to plug in the battery or do any type of special maintenance on this car. It has plenty of power, unless youre running the A/C and traveling uphill. Its easier than you think. Go for it.

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  best car ever - 2004 Honda Insight
  By david johnson - May 7 - 2:00 am

  For two years I wanted an Insight. I talked myself out of it because it was a two seater. I decided to buy a Think electric car instead, but Ford stopped that one. Last Summer (2003) I decided to go for it. I ordered an Insight and it took 6 months for it to arrive.Then, I got the car. It is the best car ever made. On trips I regularly exceed 80 mpg. It handles like a sports car. It goes around corners like water thru a hose as they say. And its roomy inside. Just my favorite car Ive ever owned. Everything works great.

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  2004 Honda Insight - 2004 Honda Insight
  By rabbit 162 - May 5 - 2:00 am

  The fuel economy is incredible! Even though the car is rated at only 87hp, it has plenty of power. Unfortunately, it is not equipped with cruise control, to which I have become accustomed. Also, rear visibility has been sacrificed in the interest of styling.

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  Great - 2004 Honda Insight
  By LaEliza - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Great Car! runs great! great gas milage