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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best car on the road - 2004 Honda Insight
By ajgranofsky - November 15 - 2:00 amthis is the perfect car with only one possible exception it is only a two seater. But Honda has resolved that problem too- by making this technology available in the Civic. For the single commuter though, nothing will ever compete with the Insight, nothing! Do you hear me, Prius owners? The Prius has some "neat" options, but if its economy youre looking for, keyless ignition doesnt mean squat. Dont get me wrong, Toyota makes the second best vehicles in the world!
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Big Guy with small car - 2004 Honda Insight
By Bob Alford - November 15 - 2:00 amI really love this car. It has done everything I ask of it and more.
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Great Car! - 2004 Honda Insight
By chanoyu - November 15 - 2:00 amHell of a lot of fun to drive, I get looks all say long! Handles very well, and can run at 75 mph all day long.
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mine is a 2001 model - 2004 Honda Insight
By indy7up - November 15 - 2:00 ami have had no problems with my car, i find that it gets less they what they say, mine is more like 55 per city and 65 per hiway, wouldnt get rid of my little car for anything, everyone driving in the city should have one.
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purchased in 2001 - 2004 Honda Insight
By ponykywest - November 15 - 2:00 amI bought my insight in 2001 and i still love it ,I can park anywhere,with the manual transmission i can get the power i need and i fill up once a month.the only downside is i kind of miss seeing the lady at the gas station cuz she use to crack me up and in my old vehicle i saw her at least once a week
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Too little car for Too much money - 2004 Honda Insight
By madmech - November 15 - 2:00 amThe car is massively underpowered, acceleration is almost none existant. If I would have purchase any of the several economy cars that sell for less than $10,000 I would have had the same level of comfort and performance, I could have easily paid the differtence in fuel costs and I would have had $5000 or more still in my poscket.
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2k miles and love it - 2010 Honda Insight
By Jeff - November 8 - 7:36 pmIve driven this car for 2k miles and love it. I have a family of 4 and took this car on our trip to New Orleans and it handled fine. I have a 4 and a 5 yr old and we all fit comfortably in the car with luggage for a weekend trip. Consistently get 41 mpg and I drive the hell out of it. Road noise was comparable to the 2001 Maxima I traded in. I can hear engine noise when I hit an incline on the interstate going 80 mph. The cars exterior is styled better than the Prius. Overall, the car is fun to drive. It reminds me of my Acura Integra I had in college. Also reminds me of the Honda CRX.
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This Is It !!! - 2000 Honda Insight
By ggovert - October 27 - 2:00 amWhen I test drove the Insight it handled great with a lot of pep, and thought this was pretty sharp. I wasnt looking to by a car for myself. Then my dealer made me an offer I couldnt refuse. I drove it home, and got over 90mpg. Since then I average between 55 & 90mpg, depending on how much in a hurry Im in. Definatly the best car Ive ever owned.
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Ill buy another - 2004 Honda Insight
By Bonnie Antalick - October 25 - 2:00 amI really love my Insight. My large 64" 250 lbs husband does also. We drove it from St. Louis to Palm Springs California this summer and all he did was rave about how much fun, power, and gas economy it had. I have had people I work with ask to drive it and they loved it. I dont understand why I dont see more. You can test drive mine any time.
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Surprised - 2000 Honda Insight
By Moreno - October 24 - 2:00 amGreat auto. Good styling. Lots of interest from others. Excellent gasoline mileage. Seats a bit hard. Airconditioning excellent. Quiet. Solid ride. May be uncomfortable for larger people. Im 53".
