Honda Insight Review

2010 Honda Insight LX Hatchback

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 recent years, hybrids have become 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.

However, Honda has 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 well over 40 mpg without breaking a sweat. Priced thousands less than a Prius, the current Honda Insight is an excellent choice for those who value fuel-sipping more than speed.

Current Honda Insight

The latest Honda Insight debuted for the 2010 model year. While utilizing the same basic hybrid engine technology as its two-seat predecessor, this second-generation Insight is otherwise an entirely different car. A four-door hatchback with seating for five, the Insight is available in base LX or uplevel EX trim.

Under the new 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 manages 88 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque, and it adds an electric motor that kicks in another 13 hp and 58 lb-ft, enough to propel the Insight up to 30 mph without the gas engine's help. A nickel-metal hydride battery pack keeps the electric motor whirring, and the electric motor returns the favor via regenerative braking. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) directs the power plant's output to the Insight's front wheels.

In reviews, we've found the current Honda Insight to be a thoroughly competitive entrant in the burgeoning hybrid segment. Outside, the Insight looks a lot like the Prius, but its interior has a much more conventional layout. The gauges are right behind the steering wheel, as they should be, and most controls are logically placed and easy to use. The IMA system operates seamlessly -- the gas engine's crankshaft never stops spinning, even when the Insight is operating solely on electric power, so there's no unseemly coughing or rumbling as the gas engine comes online. On the road, the Insight rides firmly but handles securely. Our only serious complaints pertain to the snug backseat and excessive road noise at speed.

Past Honda Insight Models

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.

SELECT A SPECIFIC HONDA INSIGHT MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.