2003 Honda Insight: Road Test
Archived Review
2003 Honda Insight Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Air Conditioning
2003 Honda Insight ▼
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- MSRP: $19,080 -$21,280
- Invoice: $17,824 -$19,876
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Our road test for the 2003 Honda Insight includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Honda Insight from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Honda Insight, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Honda Insight help you decide if a 2003 Honda Insight is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 4 |
Peppy enough around town; test Insights did 0-60 mph in 11.3 sec with manual transmission, 11.5 with CVT. But freeway merging and 2-lane passing demand care, and speed tapers off fast on long, steep upgrades. CVT always smooth and responsive, but provides best performance in "S" range.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 6.5 |
Tested in and around Chicago, manual-transmission Insight returned up to 71 mpg in city driving and 57.3 overall. Performance testing and high-speed freeways kept California test car to 48.9 mpg. CVT version averaged 48.1. Computer controls momentarily shut down engine at standstill to save gas, minimize emissions; restarts are near instantaneous and hardly noticed. Insight uses regular-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4.4 |
Choppy and often thumpy except on smooth roads due to short wheelbase, high-pressure tires, and low weight. CVT model weighs about 100 lb more than manual version, rides slightly better.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 5.3 |
Slim economy-oriented tires wriggle along grooved pavement and have limited cornering grip. Insight also easily buffeted by strong crosswinds, but has conventional front-drive moves otherwise. Mild wander, only average distances in emergency-stop tests.
QUIETNESS
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 3.7 |
Minimal soundproofing saves weight, but makes for fairly high noise levels. Engine seems a bit quieter with CVT.
CONTROLS
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5.6 |
Mostly logical, convenient, but climate-control display and bar-graph gauges are too small for easy reading. Solid driving feel, fine detail assembly, functional but not fancy interior decor. CVT's "S" button would be easier to activate if it were on shift knob.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4.8 |
Roomy enough for tall adults, mostly because seats are quite low. Seats are well-shaped but lightly padded, so long trips might produce aches. "Bathtub" seat position also hampers entry/exit, though visibility is good except with bulky cargo aboard.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 3.7 |
(No rear seating.)
CARGO ROOM
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 3.8 |
There's 15 cu ft beneath the hatch and 1.5 in a covered floor well--not much even for a 2-seater. High load deck and sloped roofline preclude carrying bulky items.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 5.4 |
Despite modest acceleration and a stiff ride, Insight is a useful city/suburban commuter, especially in CVT form, with a high-tech, environment-friendly appeal. But even with the one-time $2000 federal tax deduction for buyers of hybrid vehicles, Insight is costly for an economy car, and the payback in fuel savings will take years to recoup. Insight has its charms, but we'd opt for the more-practical, similarly priced Civic Hybrid.
Total Score
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | 36 | 47.2 |
Total Score: 35
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