2005 Honda Insight: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

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.