Honda Insight (1st gen) Hybrid | EV

Honda Insight (1st gen) Hybrid | EV 

DESCRIPTION

The 1st generation Honda Insight was a two-seater hybrid automobile manufactured by Honda. It was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile sold in the United States, introduced in 1999 and at its height achieved nearly 70 miles per gallon. According to the EPA, the 5-speed manual transmission variant of the Insight was the most fuel-efficient mass-produced automobile sold in the United States. Production ended in 2007 where only 3 were sold during that year.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 32  
[Feb 17, 2003]
Don
Model Reviewed: Insight CVT

Strength:

Gas mileage,parking ease,no problem on the interstate...will cruise at 70mph all day. automatic climate control.

Weakness:

not many...needto buy dedicated snow tires for winter driving.

Great little car which does exactly what it is intended to do while exceeding most expectations. Fantastic gas mileage without sacrificing comfort or handling.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 13, 2003]
john petell
Model Reviewed: insight manual

likes of the car: great fuel economy, i am getting 55 to 64 in the winter right now. love the styling of the car. like the littleness of the car and the ease to manuver it in traffic and parking is just great. fun to drive. love the fact that i am helping the environment. like the fact that i am not utilizing lots of fossal fuel. things i need to get use to is utilizing the car to its potential with gas milage. it is a game everytime i get in the car to drive. it makes me a none aggressive driver and more alert driver. since i work night work and driving home in the moring can just be gruling the car keeps me awake and active. dislikes: it gets getting use to the lightness of it. you feel every bump. the whole concept is different and i love getting to get use to it. we all need to be proactive in our country to help the environment and use new concepts. wonderful car overall.

Similar Products Used:

i have owned a vw rabbit diesel 1980, honda civic hatchback 1988 and a 1993 mazda mx6.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jan 29, 2003]
Joy
Model Reviewed: Honda Insight

Weakness:

Weak frame - easily damaged. Hard to see out of rear window, hard to check blind spot. Not much power.

I'm pretty disappointed in the Insight. I'm a careful driver, but I damaged the frame within a month of owning the car. Driving over anything bigger than a Dixie cup will damage the body. There are several small but annoying things wrong with the car, such as the fact that the cargo door doesn't stay open by itself. You have to hold the cargo door open while the cargo inside, which is difficult if you're holding something heavy. Lots of reviewers have written that the Insight has plenty of power, but I disagree. You really have to step on the gas hard to get it going. People considering buying an Insight should also realize that they will have to take it to the dealer for service - noone else knows how to work on the Insight.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Sep 11, 2002]
frank

Strength:

fun to work the vehicle to get top mileage. Makes you more aware of good driving habits

Weakness:

2 seater but not really a weakness

amazing technology, great value, as others have stated not the best if you do any hauling. Vehicle shares alot with S2000 componet wise. Honda spent alot more than sticker price on these cars to produce

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 31, 2002]
Andrew Glidewell

Strength:

This car is agile, sporty, and sleek. The CVT combines with the gas and electric motors to provide effortless acceleration.

Weakness:

Despite driving like a 100 year-old and keeping a constant eye on the trip MPG gauge, I can't get over 52 mpg.

Astonished by the performance and comfort, slightly disappointed by the fuel economy thus far. Unstable on rutted roads and when passing semis. The CVT is indispensable, this car puts a smile on my face constantly.

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 16, 2002]
robthered
Model Reviewed: /Honda Insight

Strength:

The fit and finish are superb. It''s a technological marvel.

Weakness:

It generates envy in Prius owners, who then feel compelled to come on this site and trash are beloved car!

The car is a stunning value, selling for nearly half it''s manufacture cost. It has adequate power, stops quickly, handles well, and of course gets in the neighborhood of 60 mpg. I seem to notice that Porsche drivers especially give it the long look over! The Insight isn''t for everyone: there is the new Civic Hybrid those others.

Similar Products Used:

? The VW Karmann Ghia is the closest I can come.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 24, 2002]
Mike

Strength:

People complain that everyone stops and asks about the car and admittedly, some of the questions are dumb. But, each encounter is a chance to educate someone about hybrid technology, so I see thei as a plus. I like the styling, some people hate it. I don''t care about the stereo because I never listen to music in the car. So, it''s a great car for what it is and I salute Honda for producing it (supposedly at a loss).

Weakness:

I think the seats could be more comfortable

The gut who paid 30 grand and only got 18 mpg must have gotten a lemon! I think one of the problems with the Insight is expectation. If you want a car that handles like a sports car and accelerates like one, then get a Corvette. The point behind the Insight is the environmentaly friendly technology. There will be a down side to any car that emphasizes fuel economy and low emissions. I have another car that weighs in at about 2000 lbs. It''s a 1974 Saab Sonette III. Talk about a rough ride!!! Overall the Insight is a great embodiment of where cars should be going, it is tight, well designes and seems to be fairly reliable (so far).

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 29, 2001]
Roberto
Model Reviewed: Insight

Strength:

fun to drive, gas miser, surprising power, good looks, high-tech, high cool factor, aerodynamic (I got a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering so I know)

Weakness:

2 seater, very tall 3-5th gears, rear view limited

I was pretty much looking for a commuter car only. I already have a 2000 Chevy Venture minivan gas hog for family outings and when I need to give people rides. The Honda Insight fits me perfectly in what I need it for. With the gas prices going crazy, I believe that this car will save me alot of money on gas alone. Also considered the Prius but definitely think the Insight is more sporty and better looking than the Prius. Of course, my wife thinks its ugly...but when I brought it to church the other day everyone commented on how cool it looks, so go figure.

Not to dis the Prius, but as most of my driving is on the Freeway, the Insight, in this arena, exceeds the performance and has lower emissions than the Prius. The Prius was more designed for city driving which is why the city MPG is better than its freeway MPG...but either way, MPG and range is more important to me than emissions (actually, I can care less about the miniscule emission differences between these two) and the Insight does beat the Prius hands down in the MPG and Range department.

Bottom line, if you can afford 2 cars with 1 being mainly for your commute to work and back, get this car! If you can only have 1 car and have a family this car is not for you.

Similar Products Used:

Toyota Prius

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 30, 2001]
Stephen
Model Reviewed: N/A

Strength:

None

Weakness:

None

Please note that I do not own an Insight yet, but I have been gathering data on this amazing car for over a year.

Out of curiousity, I went to the EPA sight listed by the Prius owner below and I would like to clarify some of the comments made.

For the EPA's Emmissions/Air Pollution rating, he states that the Prius is rated as a 10 and the Insight as a 6. The Prius model that can be sold in CA is a 10, but the Insight that can be sold in CA is also a 10. The EPA lists a sales region for all states except CA,MA,ME,NY & VT. In this region the Prius is given a score of 7 and the Insight an 8. This rating is intended to measure smog producing elements.

For measuring global warming green-house gas production, go to
www.fueleconomy.gov and click on the "2001 Hybrid Vehicles" link in lower left corner. This shows annual greenhouse gas emmissions for the Prius of 4.0 tons/year and the Insight @ 3.1 tons/year based on 15,000 mi/yr and 45% city / 55% highway).

That being said, I'm certainly not knocking the Prius. If my primary vehicle needed to have four doors, I would certainly be looking at it, but I spend 90% of my miles commuting alone and so the Insight is a better choice. I am really looking forward to buying one of these vehicles.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 19, 2001]
Albert Postema
Model Reviewed: Insight

Strength:

Fuel Economy, Technical aspect incoporated into the driving arena (to obtain full performance driving habits are changed) The interest shown by the public in alternative technologies, Performance (fastest car I have ever had 1/4 mile @107mph) Style and the fun in driving a cutting edge form of transportation

Weakness:

Weird stability when encountering rutted roads, rear will wnat to track different, All the people with questions ( I have a printed handout with all the standard questions. Have handed out over 300 so far)

I ordered the vehicle Nov 99 due to a excellent review and comparisson in Auto journals. Recieved June 00 after having to educate the dealership. currently have placed 23000 miles on the Insight. Majority of my driving is country roads and some highway trips. I live in a state that implements an oxygenated fuel program in the winter months so I watched my average fall from 68 mpg to 64mpg last October My best trip mileage was over the Cascade Mountains to Ellensburg and back @ 84.4 mpg. I was in drafting and not always at the posted speed, sometimes above sometimes below. Mileage improves substantially when full attention is placed in the terrain and engine ststus. I like it

Similar Products Used:

No comparison

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 11-20 of 32  

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

carreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com