Honda Insight (2000-2006)

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

1st Generation (1999–2006)

• Powertrain: 1.0L 3-cylinder engine + Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system
  • Engine: 1.0-liter 3-cylinder VTEC-E (gasoline)
  • Electric Motor: Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) – 10 kW (13 hp)
  • Battery: 144V Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), ~6.5 Ah
  • Total Output: ~73 hp
• Transmission:
  • 5-speed manual (standard)
  • Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) (available from 2001)
• Body Style: 2-door hatchback with a “teardrop” shape for aerodynamics
  • Construction: Extensive use of aluminum for body panels and chassis (also magnesium and plastic)
  • Weight: ~1,850–1,900 lbs (manual), making it one of the lightest modern cars
  • Aerodynamics: Drag coefficient of 0.25 Cd
  • Seating: Strict 2-seater
• EPA Ratings (manual):
  • City: ~61 mpg
  • Highway: ~70 mpg
  • Real-world mpg: Often 50–60 mpg depending on conditions
• Performance
  • 0–60 mph in around 10.5 seconds (manual)
  • Not fast, but surprisingly agile due to lightweight construction
  • Manual version preferred by enthusiasts for better mpg and driving feel
• Features
  • Digital instrument cluster (futuristic for the time)
  • Auto stop-start system
  • Low-rolling-resistance tires
  • No power steering in manual version (for efficiency)
  • Optional A/C (only added later)
  • Regenerative braking
• Notable for:
  • Being the first hybrid car sold in the U.S. (beating the Toyota Prius by a few months)
  • Aluminum body, extremely lightweight
  • Exceptional fuel economy — up to 70 mpg highway
  • Production Numbers: Just over 17,000 sold in the U.S.
  • Drawback: Only a two-seater with limited practicality

 

2001 Honda Insight Specifications

2002 Honda Insight Specifications

Chart of 2002 Insight Specifications

.	5-speed MT	CVT
GASOLINE ENGINE	.	.
Type: Aluminum-Alloy In-Line 3-Cylinder	x	x
Displacement (cc)	995	995
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net / with IMA)	67 @ 5700 / 73 @ 5700	67 @ 5700 / 73 @ 5700
Torque (lb.-ft.@rpm / with IMA)	66 @ 4800 / 91 @ 2000	66 @ 4800 / 79 @ 1500
Compression Ratio	10.8:1	10.3:1
Valve Train : SOHC 12-Valve	VTEC E Lean-Burn	VTEC E Lean-Burn
Fuel System: Multi-Point Fuel Injection	x	x
Ignition System : Electronic w/ Immobilizer	x	x
Emission Rating	ULEV*	SULEV*
Idle Stop Feature	x	x
105,000-Mile Tune-Up Interval	x	x
.	.	..
ELECTRIC MOTOR / GENERATOR	.	.
Motor Type	Permanent Magnet	Permanent Magnet
Power Output	10 kw @ 3000 rpm	10 kw @ 3000 rpm
Motor Width (mm)	60	60
.	.	.
ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL UNIT (PCU)	.	.
DC-DC Converter	x	x
.	.	.
ELECTRIC POWER STORAGE	.	.
Battery Type	Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)	Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
Output	144V (120 Cells @ 1.2V)	144V (120 Cells @ 1.2V)
Rated Capacity	6.5 AH	6.5 AH
.	.	.
DRIVE TRAIN	.	.
Type : Front-Wheel Drive	x	x
Final Drive Ratio	3.21	5.70
.	..	.
BODY / SUSPENSION / CHASSIS	.	.
Body Type: Aluminum Hybrid	x	x
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut	x	x
Rear Suspension: Twist Beam	x	x
Front Stabilizer Bar (mm.)	17.3	17.3
Electric Power Steering (EPS)	Variable-Assist Rack-and-Pinion	Variable-Assist Rack-and-Pinion
Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.)	31.4	31.4
Power-Assisted Front Disc / Rear Drum Brakes	x	x
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	x	x
Wheels	14″ Alloy	14″ Alloy
Tires : All-Season	P165/65 R14 78S low-rolling resistance	P165/65 R14 78S low-rolling resistance
.	.	.
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS	.	.
Wheelbase (in.)	94.5	94.5
Length (in.)	155.1	155.1
Height (in.)	53.3	53.3
Width (in.)	66.7	66.7
Track (in., front / rear)	56.5 / 52.2	56.5 / 52.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	1847 / 1878	1967
.	.	.
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS	.	.
Headroom(in., front)	38.8	38.8
Legroom(in., front)	42.9	42.9
Shoulder Room (in., front)	50.5	50.5
Hiproom (in., front)	48.7	48.7
Cargo Volume (cu. ft)	16.3	16.3
Passenger Volume (cu. ft)	47.4	47.4
.	.	.
EPA MILEAGE ESTIMATES	.	.
5-Speed Manual (City / Highway)	61 / 68	57/56
Fuel (gal.)	10.6	10.6
Fuel Required	Unleaded Regular	Unleaded Regular
.	.	.
* California Air Resources Board ULEV-certified in California and parts of the Northeast; LEV-rated in the rest of the country.
+ Mileage figure for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary.

2003 Honda Insight Specifications

2003 INSIGHT
.	5-speed MT	CVT
GASOLINE ENGINE	.	.
Type: Aluminum-Alloy In-Line 3-Cylinder	X	X
Displacement (cc)	995	995
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net / with IMA)	67 @ 5700 / 73 @ 5700	67 @ 5700 / 73 @ 5700
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm / with IMA)	66 @ 4800 / 91 @ 2000	66 @ 4800 / 79 @ 1500
Compression Ratio	10.8:1	10.3:1
Valve Train : SOHC 12-Valve	VTEC E Lean-Burn	VTEC E Lean-Burn
Fuel System: Multi-Point Fuel Injection	X	X
Ignition System : Electronic w/ Immobilizer	X	X
Emission Rating	ULEV*	SULEV*
Idle Stop Feature	X	X
105,000-Mile Tune-Up Interval	X	X
.	.	.
ELECTRIC MOTOR / GENERATOR	.	.
Motor Type	Permanent Magnet	Permanent Magnet
Power Output	10 kw @ 3,000 rpm	10 kw @ 3,000 rpm
Motor Width (mm)	60	60
.	.	.
ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL UNIT (PCU)	.	.
DC-DC Converter	X	X
.	.	.
ELECTRIC POWER STORAGE	.	.
Battery Type	Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)	Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
Output	144V (120 Cells @ 1.2V)	144V (120 Cells @ 1.2V)
Rated Capacity	6.5 AH	6.5 AH
.	.	.
DRIVE TRAIN	.	.
Type : Front-Wheel Drive	X	X
Final Drive Ratio	3.21	5.70
.	.	.
BODY / SUSPENSION / CHASSIS
Body Type: Aluminum Hybrid	X	X
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut	X	X
Rear Suspension: Twist Beam	X	X
Front Stabilizer Bar (mm.)	17.3	17.3
Electric Power Steering (EPS)	Variable-Assist Rack-and-Pinion	Variable-Assist Rack-and-Pinion
Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.)	31.4	31.4
Power-Assisted Front Disc / Rear Drum Brakes	X	X
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	X	X
Wheels	14″ Alloy	14″ Alloy
Tires : All-Season	P165/65 R14 78S low-rolling resistance	P165/65 R14 78S low-rolling resistance
.	.	.
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS	.	.
Wheelbase (in.)	94.5	94.5
Length (in.)	155.1	155.1
Height (in.)	53.3	53.3
Width (in.)	66.7	66.7
Track (in., front / rear)	56.5 / 52.2	56.5 / 52.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	1,847 / 1,878	1,967
.	.	.
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS	.	.
Headroom (in., front)	38.8	38.8
Legroom (in., front)	42.9	42.9
Shoulder Room (in., front)	50.5	50.5
Hiproom (in., front)	48.7	48.7
Cargo Volume (cu. ft)	16.3	16.3
Passenger Volume (cu. ft)	47.4	47.4
.	.	.
EPA MILEAGE ESTIMATES	.	.
5-Speed Manual (City / Highway)	61 / 68	57 / 56
Fuel (gal.)	10.6	10.6
Fuel Required	Unleaded Regular	Unleaded Regular

* California Air Resources Board ULEV-certified in California and parts of the Northeast; LEV-rated in the rest of the country.
+ Mileage figure for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary.

 

2004 Honda Insight Specifications

2005 Honda Insight Specifications

2005 INSIGHT	5-speed MT	CVT
GASOLINE ENGINE
Type: Aluminum-Alloy In-Line 3-Cylinder	X	X
Displacement (cc)	995	995
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net / with IMA)	67 @ 5700 / 73 @ 5700	65 @ 5700 / 73 @ 5700
Torque (lb.-ft.@rpm / with IMA)	66 @ 4800 / 79 @ 1500	65 @ 4800 / 89 @ 2000
Compression Ratio	10.8:1	10.3:1
Valve Train : 12-Valve SOHC VTEC	X	X
Fuel System: Multi-Point Fuel Injection	Lean Burn	X
Ignition System : Direct System w/ Immobilizer	X	X
CARB Emission Rating	ULEV	SULEV-2
Idle Stop Feature	X	X
105,000-Mile Tune-Up Interval	X	X
.
ELECTRIC MOTOR / GENERATOR
Motor Type: Permanent Magnet	X	X
Power Output	14 hp @ 3000 rpm	13 hp @ 2000 rpm
Motor Width (mm)	60	60
.
ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL UNIT (PCU)
DC-DC Converter	X	X
.
ELECTRIC POWER STORAGE
Battery Type: Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)	X	X
Output	144V (120 Cells @ 1.2V)	144V (120 Cells @ 1.2V)
Rated Capacity	6.5 AH	6.5 AH
.
DRIVE TRAIN
Type : Front-Wheel Drive	X	X
Manual Transmission: 5-Speed	X
Gear Ratios: 1st	3.461
2nd	1.750
3rd	1.096
4th	0.857
5th	0.710
Reverse	3.231
Final Drive Ratio	3.21
Automatic Transmission: 4-Speed (available)		X
Gear Ratios: 1st		2.441~0.407
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Reverse		4.359~3.214
Final Drive (AT)		5.69
Final Drive Ratio (MT/AT)	3.21/5.69
.
BODY / SUSPENSION / CHASSIS
Body Type: Rigid Aluminum-Body Construction	X	X
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut	X	X
Rear Suspension: Torsion-Beam	X	X
Front Stabilizer Bar (mm.)	17.3	17.3
Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)	X	X
Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.)	31.4	31.4
Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc / Rear Drum Brakes (in., front/rear)	9.1/7.1	9.1/7.1
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	X	X
Wheels	14″ Lightweight Alloy	14″Lightweight Alloy
Tires : Low-Rolling-Resistance All-Season	P165/65 R14 78S	P165/65 R14 78S
.
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (in.)	94.5	94.5
Length (in.)	155.1	155.1
Height (in.)	53.3	53.3
Width (in.)	66.7	66.7
Track (in., front / rear)	56.5 / 52.2	56.5 / 52.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	1850/1881 *	1975
.
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Headroom (in., front)	38.8	38.8
Legroom (in., front)	42.9	42.9
Shoulder Room (in., front)	50.5	50.5
Hiproom (in., front)	48.7	48.7
Cargo Volume (cu. ft)	16.3	16.3
Passenger Volume (cu. ft)	47.4	47.4
.
EPA MILEAGE ESTIMATES **
5-Speed Manual (City / Highway)	60/66
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)		57/56
Fuel (gal.)	10.6	10.6
Fuel Required	Unleaded Regular	Unleaded Regular
.
* Without/with climate control
** Based off 2004 EPA mileage estimates. Your mileage may vary.

2006 Honda Insight Specifications

2006 HONDA INSIGHT		5-speed MT	CVT
GASOLINE ENGINE
Type: Aluminum-Alloy In-Line 3-Cylinder		x	x
Displacement (cc)		995	995
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net / with IMA)		67 @ 5700 / 73 @ 5700	65 @ 5700 / 73 @ 5700
Torque (lb.-ft.@rpm / with IMA)		66 @ 4800 / 79 @ 1500	65 @ 4800 / 89 @ 2000
Compression Ratio		10.8:1	10.3:1
Valve Train : 12-Valve SOHC VTEC		x	x
Fuel System: Multi-Point Fuel Injection		Lean Burn	x
Ignition System : Direct System w/ Immobilizer		x	x
CARB Emission Rating		ULEV	SULEV-2
Idle Stop Feature		x	x
105,000-Mile Tune-Up Interval		x	x
ELECTRIC MOTOR / GENERATOR
Motor Type: Permanent Magnet		x	x
Power Output		14 hp @ 3000 rpm	13 hp @ 2000 rpm
Motor Width (mm)		60	60
ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL UNIT (PCU)
DC-DC Converter		x	x
ELECTRIC POWER STORAGE
Battery Type: Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)		x	x
Output		144V (120 Cells @ 1.2V)	144V (120 Cells @ 1.2V)
Rated Capacity		6.5 AH	6.5 AH
DRIVE TRAIN
Type : Front-Wheel Drive		x	x
Manual Transmission: 5-Speed		x	.
.	Gear Ratios: 1st	3.461	.
.	2nd	1.75	.
.	3rd	1.096	.
.	4th	0.857	.
.	5th	0.71	.
.	Reverse	3.231	.
Final Drive Ratio		3.21	.
Automatic Transmission: 4-Speed (available)		.	x
.	Gear Ratios: 1st	.	2.441~0.407
.	2nd	.
.	3rd	.
.	4th	.
.	5th	.
.	Reverse	.	4.359~3.214
.	Final Drive (AT)	.	5.69
Final Drive Ratio (MT/AT)		3.21/5.69	.
BODY / SUSPENSION / CHASSIS
Body Type: Rigid Aluminum-Body Construction		x	x
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut		x	x
Rear Suspension: Torsion-Beam		x	x
Front Stabilizer Bar (mm.)		17.3	17.3
Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)		x	x
Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.)		31.4	31.4
Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/ Rear Drum Brakes (in., front/rear)		9.1/7.1	9.1/ 7.1
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)		x	x
Wheels		14″ Lightweight Alloy	14″Lightweigh Alloy
Tires : Low-Rolling-Resistance All-Season		P165/65 R14 78S	P165/65 R14 78S
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (in.)		94.5	94.5
Length (in.)		155.1	155.1
Height (in.)		53.3	53.3
Width (in.)		66.7	66.7
Track (in., front / rear)		56.5 / 52.2	56.5 / 52.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)		1850/1881 *	1975
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Headroom (in., front)		38.8	38.8
Legroom (in., front)		42.9	42.9
Shoulder Room (in., front)		50.5	50.5
Hiproom (in., front)		48.7	48.7
Cargo Volume (cu. ft)		16.3	16.3
Passenger Volume (cu. ft)		47.4	47.4
EPA MILEAGE ESTIMATES **
5-Speed Manual (City / Highway)		60/66	.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)		.	57/56
Fuel (gal.)		10.6	10.6
Fuel Required		Unleaded Regular	Unleaded Regular
* Without/with climate control
** Based off 2006 EPA mileage estimates. Your mileage may vary.

2006 Honda Insight Pricing and EPA Data