2003 Honda Insight: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Though Honda now sells a Civic Hybrid sedan, Insight, the first gasoline/electric car on U.S. roads, continues unchanged for 2003 as a technology showcase and "green" flag-waver for the brand. Insight is a 2-seat hatchback coupe with a 3-cyl gasoline engine assisted by a battery-powered electric motor. The car recharges the batteries when coasting or decelerating, so no plug-in charging is required. Aerodynamic styling and aluminum-intensive construction contribute to industry-leading EPA fuel economy. Insight offers manual transmission and an optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT lacks conventional gears, using a belt-and-pulley system to vary drive ratios as needed, but has steering-wheel "D" and "S" buttons to select normal and higher-performance ranges. Antilock brakes are standard. Air conditioning is optional.

COMPETITION

Honda Civic continues to be the car to beat with a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and a high degree of civility. Also a Best Buy, Ford Focus doesn't offer the refinement of the Civic, but doesn't cost as much either.

Topping the crowded Recommended list are Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys. However, they are among the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the redesigned but still reliable Toyota Corolla, the sporty Nissan Sentra, and the roomy Mazda Protege. Each of these is a valid alternative to a Best Buy if price is your major concern.