2004 Honda Insight Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
Driving 50-60 mph, I averaged 94 miles per gallon on a 2,000-mile trip at 6,500 feet elevation through NM/WY mountain passes. The car's lifetime average of 70 mpg was achieved mostly around town at 7,100 feet elevation, both of which reduce efficiency. Best medium-range run: Santa Fe to Albuquerque, 70 miles, 129 miles per gallon. Best Santa Fe-to-Taos, NM run, driving from 7100 feet elevation down to 5,000 and back up again to 7,000: 117 mpg. Except for free recalls and free battery replacement, this car has never been serviced (I do oil and filter changes, adjusted valves once myself, replaced plugs once; the car still has all original fluids, original brake pads--rears still 90 percent--original clutch, 2nd set of tires). I almost never rev the engine past 2,000 rpm. I am quite convinced the car, which can't rust since there's nothing to rust on it, will be running strong and looking good well after I'm in eco-heaven. I drive to get the most out of the car and be kindest to the environment: coast down hills, regenerate instead of mechanical-brake up to lights, accelerate gently, shift at 10, 15, 25, and 30 mph to get to 5th gear. By now--over 10 years--this driving behavior is second-nature and completly automatic. Only two things are truly awful regarding this car: 1) Honda barely advertised it, and 2) almost nobody bought it. Kudos to Honda for designing it--a marvel of engineering and seamless hybrid reliability. And shame on them for not advertising it more aggressively. Shame, too, on the affluent world for not buying it, particularly those who claim a modicum of concern about our species' future. If reliability, economy of operation, and impact on the environment are the measures, then this in my opinion is the best car manufactured to date. (The Toyota Prius, with half the fuel economy and twice as many engines, is in a very different, lesser, league.)
VS
Critical Review
Rides rough. In the Texas summer the AC can not keep up and the milage drops to 40mpg. The seat is one of the most uncomfortable I have ever ridden in. No cruise control. The scheduled maintenance very expensive. The batteries went out at 75K miles. It would have been $5000 dollars if it hadn't been covered by a recall. I have been to to three different dealers for service and I haven't been happy with any of them. There have been a couple of recalls and they were handled in an ineffective manner. The tires are special and in Dallas I could only find one tire dealer near my house that carried them. When the weather is bad the two stage braking ( regenerative then normal) makes it very tricky on wet and or snowy roads. ( Yes, Dallas has snow and ice storms) Terrible blind spots. Average milage after 85 K miles is only 46
2004 Insight Reviews
Showing 8 of 85 reviews.
great gas savings, easy to park, cheap to find
not good if you have a small child
I've owned this car for 4 years now, and have averaged over 60mpg while driving it. I even had one road trip where I got 70mpg on a tank (702 miles on 10 gallons! It's insane!). I drive quite a bit for work (20k+ miles per year) and this car has saved me thousands in fuel costs. I have a manual transmission and the only major repairs I have had to make were replacing the hybrid battery twice (once when I purchased it and again 3 years/60,000 miles later). Newest battery has a 5 year warranty the repair is something any graduate of youtube university can perform.
Great mileage
Can't drive an infant because there's no backseat
This is a great two person car. It can park in the smallest of parallel parking spots, yet the hatchback style still allows pretty good storage space. Lifetime mileage is 63 mpg for 110,000 miles and it's still going strong. No other car model comes close to this level of fuel efficiency. With manual transmission, you get plenty of power when you need it even though it's only a three cylinder car. Minimal maintenance over the 17 years that I've had it. I love this car. Only downside - it is a two seater and it's illegal in CO to put an infant in the front seat of a car.
Insane gas mileage, fun to drive
Lacks power
Let's get this straight, the insight is gutless, but I don't care. Even without the ima working I drive the car daily on just the gas engine and last tank I got 54.6mpg total. Mostly in town in winter. It's perfect for what I need it for and saves me a ton over my big truck. Handling is exceptional, like surprisingly well. Could use a little more low end power but overall the car is extremely well engineered and an impressive machine.
fun to drive
my 2002 insight has been very reliable and has caused no major problems since the initial battery recall. replaced IMA battery at approx 100K miles a couple of years ago, and currently needs new a/c compressor at 113K miles. but seeing how another owner has 200K miles on his/hers, 'figure it's worth the fix! not the cushiest of rides, but has been fun to drive and zippy -- not bad for a 15 year old and counting...
Mpg, reliable, and simple.
Limited space, hard to find parts, and boring.
I bought this as a commuter car and it has not failed to live up to that purpose. After 270k miles the engine is still going strong and averaging above 50mpg. It is hard to find parts at local auto discount stores but if you can find one at a good price and need a car just for commuting, it does get any better than this. It's not a car you drive for fun, vacation, etc... It's excellent at what it was made for....Commuting to and from work...
fun to drive,5speed,capable of burn-outs,alum body
rattles, firm ride, cat conv expensive,
We own two '01 Insight's, both with 5 speed manual gearbox. We use these as daily drivers and they are fun to drive. Replaced batteries with upgraded bumblebee cells and have had zero problems. Added IMA boost and current hack to one car. Surprisingly quick off the line with lots of electric torque. No traction or stability control so very capable of doing burn-outs with a strong battery in manual gearbox cars. We get mid 60's in the summer and low 50's mpg in the winter. When it's real cold mpg's will drop into the upper 40's. In winter we run 13" Honda VX rims mounted with 155/80-r13 snow tires. Skinny tires with tall sidewalls give outstanding performance in the snow and help prevent wheel damage from pot holes. Aluminum body also doesn't rust making it ideal for winter salt. Some people laugh, but we've had numerous notes left on windshield from people wanting to buy. Firm ride and some rattles, but otherwise a great car. Limited number of production means most repair shops know little about this car's unique engineering features. Probably best owned by those who are capable of doing their own work. Excellent forum and enthusiast support.
Wonderfully economical car!
Not enough passenger seat recline for long trips.
I bought this car new in 2005. Since then, I have replaced the front brakes and done regular oil and filter changes. Nothing else! It has been amazingly economical to drive. Miles per gallon lifetime is 52 MPH. No issues with the big battery, as everyone warned me about when I bought it. Doesn't do well in a lot of snow. It's a nice commuter car.
aerodynamic, cute and reliable
A bit too Low to the ground; noisy on fough roads
I love my little Honda insight, it is fun to drive, and has quick, tight response. It accelerates fast if need be, but of course that decreases its magnificent miles-to-the-gallon. It is one of the first 5000 hybrid Hondas and was made in Japan in the year 2000. If anything were to happen to it, I would try to find another 2-door 2-seater Honda Insight.
