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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the little car that could - 2001 Honda Insight
By bruce mcgrew - February 1 - 2:00 amI was getting 75 M.P.G. when I owned this car .I also completed 961 miles on one tank.
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Insight is Excellent - 2004 Honda Insight
By ainternetguy - January 31 - 2:00 amThis car is awsome. It gets fantastic mileage as well as excellent performance.. one would never guess its a 3 cylinder, 1000CC powerplant. You can figure on getting gas mileage that is in many cases double what a large displacement motorcycle (Harley, Honda, BMW) is getting. That plus A/C, stereo system and power everything make this a vehicle that can be driven in any weather. And finally, theres the tax deduction that the Federal govt. will allow you for the purchase of this car.... whats not to like?
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Love this car! - 2004 Honda Insight
By Lorham - January 31 - 2:00 amThis car is great! Fast, Fun and awesome gas mileage. The best commuter car around. Zips through traffic. Never seems to have to be filled up. The best investment Ive made in a long time!
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Good Car - 2004 Honda Insight
By Cory Gude - January 31 - 2:00 amLiving in the Denver, CO area gas prices arent that cheap. I own two sports cars and needed a everyday driver for my long drives to work. I got talked into the Civic hybrid and I love it death. It doesnt have a whole lot of power, especially for somebody like me who is in to horsepower and torque like in my Acura Integra Type-R and Honda Prelude Type- SH. But those sports cars are gas gugglers and for my daily driver I enjoy the 50 miles to the gallon that I get out of my Civic Hybrid. A very good car!
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Insight T - 2004 Honda Insight
By dwightp - January 31 - 2:00 amAt freeway speeds and distances of over 500 miles I average over 70mpg. Shorter distances and lower speeds I average about 55mph. The seats are a little thin so raide could be better.
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dont buy a hybrid - 2004 Honda Insight
By breandy - December 27 - 2:00 amother than gas mileage this car sucks. its not worth the money or the discomfort
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Honda Insight - A Drivers Car - 2004 Honda Insight
By Lawson - December 27 - 2:00 amWhen I first purchased the Honda Insight, it was for the uniqueness of the hybrid drive system combined with the uncompromised design. After driving the car I was astounded at how well it handled, and how fun it was to drive. One of my other cars is a Lotus and I consider the Insights handling to be on par with it. With all the sophisticated instrumentation, a driver is aware at any moment just how efficiently they are driving. That makes driving a lot more fun.
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Driving a 5000 mile trip to Iowa - 2003 Honda Insight
By onlyjazz - December 27 - 2:00 amThe handling up and through mountain passes was amazing. I passed many other cars going up the passes. The batteries charged well going down the other side. I had the opportunity in Montana to test for top speed on a long level road. I was amazed at the result: 105 mph. The car was overload with travel necessities, but performed and handled well.
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Good start, but not enough for me - 2000 Honda Insight
By ECR2003 - December 23 - 2:00 amThe Insight was a great concept from Honda, but unfortunatly dose not do anything for me. I hate the fact I can not get more then 1 passanger in my car. Or the fact in a minor crosswind my car feels like it is going to be blown off the road. Or the fact that when going up hill out of town, I feel it will never make the top. I can barly put three bags of groceries in back without filling the back up. And finaly no machanic (besides honda) will take a look at the think to even attempt a repair, so I am forced to go to honda to have anything replaced.
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Positive Review - 2003 Honda Insight
By Charliebm04 - December 22 - 2:00 amBought the car 12/18/2004. this is a new 2004 with a few Improvements. The Dealership. I would rate at a 3 they did the paper work and that was it. The salesman, Spencer: never even met him, he had another salesman do the work. The car However. Fantastic, 67mpg right off the showroom floor. The acceleration really suprised me. It has the git up and go when you need it. For and general runaround or work car. There is no better car on the Market, YET. C-mon Honda you can do better. C-mon People, Keep your website up to date.
