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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  Honda Insight - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Rick Reece - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for over a year and have found it to be both fun to own and drive. It is without a doubt the most interesting and satisfying of any new car that I have ever purchased.

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  Great Car! - 2000 Honda Insight
  By JAC47 - April 19 - 2:00 am

  The idea to combine an ecology friendly electric powered vehicle with the convenience of gasoline power (fill up on any corner) is futuristic & long overdue. Last fall I bought one for my teen daughter. She drives it non-stop & loves the great gas mileage: 50-60 mpg. Whenever I catch it at home, its my car of choice to drive. I love zippin around town & into tight parking places. Each driver in the family brags on whos getting the best mpg, each trying to top the other. Its a blast to drive, with fun instrumentation! Weve put 12K miles on it in 6 months and the only problem weve had it in the shop for was a battery harness recall and suggested periodic maintenance.

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  title - 2001 Honda Insight
  By ronsugiyama - April 16 - 2:00 am

  handles like a real sports car, exceptional performance through the corners. it really needs to have cruise control.

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  Love my Insight - 2001 Honda Insight
  By damonhenry - April 9 - 2:00 am

  After a year of use I still love my Insight.

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  2001 Honda Insight - 2001 Honda Insight
  By charliec - April 7 - 3:00 am

  The Honda Insight is a great car. This car handles well, responds quickly, has remarkable acceleration and of course the trademark fuel economy. Great car, great efficiency, low emissions, more car makers should get a clue and offer vehicles such as this (and for that matter more car BUYERS should get a clue and demand cars such as this.)

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  The Perfect Car For Me - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Ken from Boulder - April 1 - 4:23 pm

  I jumped into the final days of the Clunker Program looking for a Prius but either the dealer stopped taking clunkers and had a car, or took clunkers but no car. I thought I was compromising when I landed an LX Insight and got rid of my 1996 GMC Yukon as a clunker. I was wrong. The Honda Insight is a consumer- specific vehicle that perfectly matches my driving parameters. Around town for errands with occasional highway driving. My family has their own cars so only in a blue moon would four passengers be riding. The vehicle is inexpensive, looks great, fun to drive, will save me a bundle on gas, its reliable, and has world class re-sale value. The perfect car for me.

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  Your Car Uses 100 Year-Old Technology - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Tim Drager - March 20 - 2:00 am

  After driving the Insight over 22,000 miles, I feel that Honda is the best car company on the planet. They are about the only car company to put their money where their mouth is. Theyve "walked their talk", in that theyve created a major evolution in the automotive industry, taking 100 year-old combustion technology and brought it into the 21st century. That 3 cylinder engine sounds like a V12 purring under the hood. Ill be darned if I can figure out how Honda did it. Only the best engineering can make a 3 cylinder engine purr like that. I tell you that the Insight IS fun to drive, with its strong torque at the low end and electric steering. Hope you decide to walk your talk.

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  2001 Honda Insight - 2001 Honda Insight
  By floatee - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Great gas mileage, but not as high as advertised (I have a 58 mpg average right now). Mileage drops significantly in winter. Road handling diminishes in rain/snow/ice/wind conditions. Storage is poor, but that is obvious before buying. I have a 40 mile round trip commute in Chicago-area traffic and have taken it on a few longer trips (500+ miles) too.

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  A modern CRX - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Gazings - March 10 - 5:50 pm

  I had low expectations of this car - much to my surprise it is quite fast, handles great, and it very comfy. Auto climate control is fantastic. Styling STILL turns heads. Very roomy inside. I strongly suggest you opt for the CVT version - it is way too easy to drain the batteries by lugging the car in too high a gear with the manual, plus you have to downshift to very low gears for good power (2nd gear at 65 mph!). The CVT does it all for you.

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  Honda releases right car at right time! - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Bill - March 8 - 6:13 am

  I had been researching this car for months so I had the first chance at the car when it arrived. I knew after the first drive that it was mine. Driving in town, merging into traffic, and interstate driving all are pleasing. Considering the horsepower it is amazing the power and fun quotient this car has(similar but better than the Fit). After driving the first 100 miles in town on hilly terrain, I put it on a short trip of an additional 135 mile interstate trip and filled up. Mileage for this first combined trip was 44 MPG. Returning I got an amazing 54 MPG using the Eco-drive feature which is helpful and fun to use. Honda has really brought the right car to market at the right time!