Honda Insight

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The Honda Insight was the first gasoline electric hybrid vehicle offered for retail sale in the United States. Built from a modified version of Honda's popular Honda Civic CRX platform, introduced for the 1999 model year. Honda has announced that production will end in September 2006. According to Honda [1], it will be replaced by a new hybrid car smaller than the Civic.

The Insight pairs a three-cylinder gasoline engine with a brushless electric motor located on the crankshaft. Behind the driver's and the passenger's seats there is a set of 144 V NiMH batteries. Under heavy acceleration, the electric motor provides additional power while during deceleration, the motor acts as a generator and recharges the batteries using a process called regenerative braking. A computer control module regulates how much power comes from the internal combustion engine and electric motor, to find the optimal combination of power or effeciency from the driver inputs. The current battery charge is shown on the dashboard, as is the instantaneous fuel efficiency and current state of the electric motor -- whether it is assisting the engine or charging the batteries.

Recent Changes

Honda has offered a new Formula Red paint color. The Insight is nearing the end of its design life-cycle.

Styles

The Insight is a two seat front wheel drive hatchback. Features include:

1.0 Liter 3-Cylinder Engine with Integrated Motor Assist, producing 73 Horsepower.
Idle stop feature
Front wheel drive
Available Continously Variable Transmission CVT.

Options

Air Conditioning (available with manual transmission).

Automatic Climate Control (available with Continuously Variable Transmission CVT).

Pricing

The Insight retails for MSRP $19,330 and carries a $550 delivery fee, giving it a base price of $19,880.

U.S. tax credit is $1,460 for CVT models purchased prior to December 31, 2010.[1]

Gas Mileage

The Insight can attain an EPA rating of 60 MPG City and 66 MPG Highway when equiped with the 5-speed manual transmission. Actual mileage may vary. [2]

Reliability

Safety

Photos

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Colors

Exterior:

Navy Blue Pearl

Formula Red

Silverstone Metallic

Interior:

Beige3

Main Competitors

Honda Civic Hybrid

Unique Attributes

The Insight cannot run on its electric motor alone, although it does have the ability to automatically turn off its gasoline engine when the vehicle is at a stop (and restart it upon movement). Since it is more powerful (10 kW) than most starters of conventional cars, the Insight's electric motor can start the engine nearly instantaneously.

Resale Values

Resale values for the Insight appear to be strong as evidenced by the pre-owned prices commanded by dealers and owners selling privately. A combination of low sales volumes and the halo effect of the Honda brand name could be associated with increasing resale values.

Design Quirks and Oddities

The stand alone two-seater hatchback hybrid offered in the North American market, the Insight offers a certain exclusiveness. The narrow rear track of the car gives it a unique, tear-drop esque silhouette.

Criticisms

Having only two seats could turn off prospective green thinking buyers, as this vehicle is a very focused effort from Honda. Home Depot runs in this thing could prove to be either difficult or disastrous.

Awards

Specifications

Current Generation: (1999–2006)

External links

See WikiCars' comprehensive (Your Make) (Your Model) Review.