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2005 Honda Insight Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
Also in the 2005 Honda Insight Review:
2005 Honda Insight Review
The first gasoline/electric hybrid on U.S. roads is unchanged for 2005. Insight is a 2-seat hatchback coupe with a 3-cyl gasoline engine assisted by a battery-powered electric motor for a combined 73 hp. Batteries recharge when coasting or decelerating, so there's no plugging-in. Aerodynamic styling and aluminum-intensive construction contribute to industry-leading EPA fuel-economy ratings. 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. ABS is standard, but neither side nor curtain side airbags are offered. Air conditioning is optional on the base model, standard with CVT.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
News
The rumor mill has lately been dead silent about Insight's future. The recent IMAS concept hints at a possible replacement, but we wouldn't look for it in the U.S., where the Insight has shown limited buyer appeal. We think Honda will keep Insight around until demand dwindles to the point where it's no longer worth the bother.
2005 Honda Insight Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Fuel economy | Acceleration |
| Automatic-transmission performance | Rear visibility |
| Maneuverability | Road noise |
| Ride | |
| Interior storage space | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Peppy enough around town; test Insights did 11.3 sec 0-60 mph with manual transmission, 11.5 with CVT. But merging and passing demand care, and speed tapers off fast on long, steep upgrades. CVT always smooth and responsive, provides best performance in "S" range.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 4.1 |
Peppy enough around town; test Insights did 11.3 sec 0-60 mph with manual transmission, 11.5 with CVT. But merging and passing demand care, and speed tapers off fast on long, steep upgrades. CVT always smooth and responsive, provides best performance in "S" range.
Fuel Economy
A manual-transmission Insight tested in and around Chicago averaged 57.3 mpg. Performance runs and high-speed freeways kept a California test car to 48.9 mpg. A CVT version averaged 48.1. Under certain conditions, engine shuts down at standstill to save gas, minimize emissions; restarts are near instantaneous and hardly noticed. Insight uses regular-grade fuel.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 10 | 9 | 6.7 |
A manual-transmission Insight tested in and around Chicago averaged 57.3 mpg. Performance runs and high-speed freeways kept a California test car to 48.9 mpg. A CVT version averaged 48.1. Under certain conditions, engine shuts down at standstill to save gas, minimize emissions; restarts are near instantaneous and hardly noticed. Insight uses regular-grade fuel.
Ride Quality
Choppy and often thumpy except on smooth roads due to short wheelbase, high-pressure tires, and low weight.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 4.6 |
Choppy and often thumpy except on smooth roads due to short wheelbase, high-pressure tires, and low weight.
Steering/Handling/Braking
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.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5.4 |
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
Minimal soundproofing saves weight, but makes for fairly high noise levels. Engine seems a bit quieter with CVT.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 3 | 4 | 4 |
Minimal soundproofing saves weight, but makes for fairly high noise levels. Engine seems a bit quieter with CVT.
Controls
Mostly logical and convenient, but climate-control display and bar-graph gauges 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.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.5 |
Mostly logical and convenient, but climate-control display and bar-graph gauges 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)
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.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5 |
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)
(No rear seating.)
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 0 | 0 | 3.6 |
(No rear seating.)
Cargo Room
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.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 3.9 |
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
Despite modest acceleration and a stiff ride, Insight is a useful city/suburban commuter, especially in CVT form, with a hi-tech, environment-friendly appeal. But even with a one-time federal tax deduction for hybrid-vehicle buyers, 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 Honda's larger but similarly priced Civic Hybrid sedan or a Toyota Prius.
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 2 | 3 | 5.8 |
Despite modest acceleration and a stiff ride, Insight is a useful city/suburban commuter, especially in CVT form, with a hi-tech, environment-friendly appeal. But even with a one-time federal tax deduction for hybrid-vehicle buyers, 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 Honda's larger but similarly priced Civic Hybrid sedan or a Toyota Prius.
Total Score
| Base w/air conditioning | CVT | Class Average |
| 34 | 35 | 48.6 |
Scores for all Compact Cars
| Low Score | 34 | |
| Average Score | 48 | |
| High Score | 63 |
2005 Honda Insight Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 02/14/2005
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| Base 2-door hatchback coupe | $19,330 | $18,057 | $515 |
|
|
|||
| Base w/air conditioning 2-door hatchback coupe | $20,530 | $19,176 | $515 |
|
|
|||
| CVT 2-door hatchback coupe | $21,530 | $20,109 | $515 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
1.0-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine/electric motor, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, map lights, driver-side visor mirror.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, 165/65R14 tires, alloy wheels.
Base w/air conditioning adds to Base:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter.
CVT adds to Base w/air conditioning:
Powertrain
Continuously variable automatic transmission.
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
2005 Honda Insight Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Honda Insight 2-door hatchback |
| Wheelbase, in. | 94.5 |
| Overall Length, in. | 155.1 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 53.3 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 1850 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 16.3 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 10.6 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.8 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| sohc I3/electric | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 1.0 /61 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 73 @ 5700 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 79 @ 1500 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 61/66 |
| CVT automatic | 57/56 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Honda Insight 2-door hatchback |
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | None/-- | 8/80,000 on Civic Hybrid battery pack and IMA. In CA, hybrid components are covered by a 10/150,000 warranty. |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | Towing available only for warranty-covered breakdowns |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Japan
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
Also in the 2005 Honda Insight Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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