hi-mpg.org Ratings for
2001-2006 Honda Insight
| Price: | $8,500-$19,000
(in 2004) |
| Style: | 6 |
| Performance: | 6 |
| Luxury: | 6 |
| Utility: | 2 |
| Fun: | 5 |
| Value: | 7 |
| Overall: |
5.33 |
| | Ratings scale: 1-10; 10 = best |
The Honda Insight was first introduced in 2000 as the world's first production hybrid vehicle.
Its short, 2-seat fastback profile harkened back to the glory days of Honda's
fun-loving CRX, all
while signifying a new era of responsible, eco-friendly vehicles.
The Insight was the first car sold in the U.S. to achieve more than 60 mpg.
Indeed, its EPA fuel economy ratings of
66 mpg on the highway and
61 mpg in the city still are the best of any car.
Insight owners report that they have achieved as high as 80 or even 90 mpg
with careful modulation of the gas pedal and other advanced techniques.
Imagine driving from Sacramento to San Francisco on just one gallon of gas!
Admittedly, the Insight is not for everyone. Whereas other two-seat
vehicles featured on hi-mpg.org have high-performance capabilities, the Insight--with
its skinny high-pressure tires and 3-cylinder internal-combustion engine augmented
with an electric motor--does not even pretend to be a sports car. In addition,
as the rear end is filled with batteries, it lacks the cargo space of
its forebear, the CRF.
Yet practicality nor sporting capability has never been the main attraction of
the Insight. Instead, it is its reputation and futuristic styling
(including its aerodynamic rear wheel covers),
tell the world that not only do you talk the talk when it comes to
environmental-friendliness, but walk the walk. Throw in Honda reliability and
fun-to-drive characteristics, and you got yourself a Hot Green Machine.
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