1st Generation (2000-2006)
Assembled in Japan, upon its debut the first-generation Insight was the first hybrid car available in the U.S. Its lightweight, all-aluminum unibody featured a highly efficient aerodynamic design, incorporating an aggressively tapered exterior form and rear wheel skirts resulting in a low 0.25 coefficient of drag (Cd). Power came from a 3-cylinder, 67-hp engine with Honda’s proprietary crankshaft-mounted Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), helping the 2-passenger, 3-door hatchback achieve an EPA-estimated 53/47 city/highway fuel economy rating. In emissions performance, the first generation Insight earned an ULEV rating for the initial 6-speed manual transmission model and an even better SULEV rating for later CVT-equipped models. In all, some 16,000 first-generation Insights were sold.
| Exterior Measurements | 2006 Insight |
| Wheelbase (in) | 94.5 |
| Length (in) | 155.3 |
| Height (in) | 55.4 |
| Width (in) | 66.7 |
| Track (in, front/rear) | 56.5/52.2 |