2000 Honda Insight Review
Price Estimate: $646 - $1,077
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Unbelievable fuel economy, cool electronic display, lots of standard equipment.
Cons
- Batteries drain fast under continual electric motor assist, highly susceptible to cross winds, interior cramped for two large adults.
What’s new
Honda brings North America the first gasoline-electric hybrid for 2000.
Edmunds says
Some cars make you feel like a champion. This one makes you feel like a hero.
For sale nearby
Vehicle overview
Honda starts the new millennium by bringing the buying public the first production gasoline-electric hybrid. With its ultralow drag styling, aluminum body structure and innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), the Insight can travel as far as 70 miles on a gallon of gas (with a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, you can drive from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City and still have a gallon of gas in reserve).
The heart of the system is a new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine coupled with an ultrathin electric motor that assists the gasoline engine under acceleration. The package features an idle-stop feature, which shuts off the engine when the driver places the shift lever in neutral and releases the clutch pedal.
Unlike GM's all-electric EV-1, the Insight requires no external power supply to recharge the 144-volt nickel-metal hydride batteries. Electricity for the system is generated primarily by regenerative braking and ABS-assisted disc/drum brakes bring the Insight to a halt. With a full charge, and the electric motor providing full assist, the Insight accelerates swiftly, seemingly faster than a Toyota Echo.
Available only with a five-speed manual (designed with special gears to reduce rotational mass), the transmission has relatively short first, second and third gears for good city driving performance, with tall overdrive gearing in fourth and fifth to maximize fuel economy.
Like the Acura NSX, the Insight's unitized body is made of aluminum (except for the front fenders, which are made from plastic) and boasts a drag coefficient of only 0.25. Thanks to its aerodynamic bodywork, flat underbody, low rolling resistance tires and extensive use of lightweight materials, the Insight requires 30 percent less power to operate at highway speeds than the Honda Civic.
But the effort to save weight drag pays a price in the handling department. The Insight is highly susceptible to crosswinds and the narrow tires easily track any groove in the pavement, causing the driver to adjust the steering continually to compensate.
The Insight's interior is just as futuristic with a sweeping dash, aluminum trim surround and high-tech LCD analog/digital instrument display. Divided into three sections, the cluster displays engine rpm, coolant temperature and the engine's idiot lights on the left bank; a large digital speedometer, odometer, lifetime fuel economy bar graph and instant fuel economy in the middle; and fuel level, battery level indicator and the IMA charge and assist indicator on the right bank.
Dual high-back bucket seats feature good lateral and lumbar support and controls for power windows, mirrors, AM/FM cassette stereo, ventilation and available automatic HVAC controls are all within easy reach, but two large adults will find themselves knocking elbows in the tight cockpit. Built fully equipped (the only option is an automatic air conditioning system) with power windows, door locks, exterior mirrors, an AM/FM cassette stereo, dual airbags, rear window defroster and a whole lot more, the Insight is an incredible value for a hybrid vehicle.
Despite the handling shortcomings and quick-to-drain batteries, Honda has finally brought forth a realistic option to gasoline engine-only cars with an ultralow-emission vehicle that can be driven anywhere without the worry of having to find an electrical outlet. And while the competition scrambles to bring their hybrids to market, we bet Honda will sell every Insight they can produce.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$64/mo for Insight Base
Insight Base
vs
$145/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Honda Insight Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
This is a fun car to drive
4.63 out of 5 starsallsmiles277, 06/24/2015
2000 Honda Insight 2dr Hatchback
I love this car. It may not carry but 365 pounds but it is fun to drive. The battery pack was the biggest drawback with this vehicle but time has made prices come down so I am not as concerned about the price of the a battery pack now. My IMA light has been on for the past 5 years and I am still driving it around. More and more people are knowledgeable about hybrid vehicle. I have … watched many videos on the internet which show how to remove battery packs.
Pleasurable Motoring
4.75 out of 5 starsLevster, 03/25/2008
2000 Honda Insight 2dr Hatchback
Purchased the Insight in 2004 with slight damage and 32,000 miles from a private seller. After repairs, enjoy driving and average 60 MPG with no operational or repair problems. I love driving this car and passing the gas pumps. Originally used hi-test, then found that it ran just fine on regular. Drove to Florida & back from NH with no problems and averaged 61 MPH. Have replaced … brake pads & tires. Friends wonder why I love this car after driving BMW's for 15 years...let them wonder !!!!!
Insight on my Insight
4.63 out of 5 starsDowneastDan, 02/18/2009
2000 Honda Insight 2dr Hatchback
My Insight was the 1st one in New England and was a demo for the first yr. I bought it off the first real owner. The 165 tires were dangerous and crappy on a dry summer's day, so I went to 175 and have sum/win changes on wheels. I have added HHO generator which keeps the mpg at 60, but adds about 5-10 more horsepower, which saves my hybrid battery usage and keeps her charged for hills, … etc. She handles very well and is a pleasure to drive. I do not drive her in the snow because at 1700 lbs I shutter to think of a sliding car hitting me. The 2 seats make it impossible to legally carry a child and not pract. for my golden. Honda put in a new hybrid batt. for $0 at 88K and will to 160K.
$11.00 per month on Gas
5 out of 5 starssharon wilson, 07/27/2006
2000 Honda Insight 2dr Hatchback
I think I was one of the first to buy this car, I spent $11 per month on gas, one fill up. The only problem was people was always coming up to me asking about it. My top MPG was a 230 mile trip in which I got 93 miles per gallon. You won't get a speeding ticket with this car but you will save alot of money on gas, I would buy another one in a heartbeat. It is a great little car. I … absolutely love it.
2000 Insight Highlights
Engine Type | Mild hybrid |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 53 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $64/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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