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Honda Insight Review
The Insight is Honda's lowest priced Hybrid car offering. On sale since late 1999, it will not be offered after the 2006 model year. See also the main fact sheets for the (2006) Honda Insight.
High Points
- Best Fuel economy of any gasoline powered car in America (Hybrid or otherwise).
- Fun to drive
- Unique teardrop design
- Exclusiveness
Low Points
- Extremely focused design
- Digital speedometer
- Limited practicality
Performance and Handling
All things considered, it is quite good. Even with its meager power output of 67 horsepower, the Insight is reasonably peppy in urban driving conditions when equipped with the 5-speed manual. The Insight's low curb weight helps add to driving enjoyment. The 5-speed manual transmission models have a crisp and accurate gear lever which makes clean and fast shifting easy. Drivers looking for an automatic option will find the CVT much to their liking. The seemless operation does come at the expense of acceleration, although only to a minor degree. An idle engine-off feature aids economy but can be jurky at times on manual transmission Insights.
Gas Mileage
The 2006 Honda Civic is ranked the 1st with 60/66 MPG [1].
Safety: 4 Stars (out of 5)
- ABS 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS)
- Front Impact Airbags driver and passenger
- Side Impact Bars side impact bars
Interior and Comforts
The Insight's interior blends modernism with minimumalism. This is exaggerated somewhat by the digital dash and IMA display screen. The Insights instrument panel provides a simplistic yet stylistic presentation of data, in addition to an excellent view of the instrumentation. Two large cub holders are in a convenient place yet, do not disturb drivers who opt for the manual gearbox. Material quality is typical Honda, being tastefully selected and precisely assembled.
Exterior
Aerodynamic aids abound on seemingly every single exterior surface. The Insight was, clearly, the product of a very focused effort from Honda. The teardrop shape of the exterior styling, combined with the rear fender skirts and aerodynamically styled light alloy wheels produce one of the lowest coefficients of drag cd of any production automobile at 0.26.
Styles and Options
The Insight is available only as a or a two-door hatchback. There are only two trim levels available: Manual or CVT. The manual transmission version can be combined with air conditioning, while the CVT model gets automatic climate control.
Main Competitors
External Links
Honda Manufacturer Sites
