What’s New?
There are no changes to the Honda Insight for 2006.

Overview
Ever since its introduction in 2000, the Honda Insight has remained America’s most fuel-efficient passenger vehicle. The Insight employs a unique Integrated Motor Assist system that couples a 67-hp, 1.0L 3-cylinder gasoline engine with a thin and lightweight 14-hp electric motor. The electric motor recaptures energy (that would otherwise be lost in the form of heat) during deceleration, acting as a generator to automatically recharge the Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries.

The Insight is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. The manual provides estimated EPA city/highway fuel economy of 60/66, and the CVT delivers 57/56 mpg, with a range of more than 500 miles on a tank of gas. Honda’s Insight also uses an “idle stop” feature that automatically shuts off the engine when the car is not moving, such as at a stop light, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. On models equipped with the CVT, the engine automatically restarts when the driver’s foot is removed from the brake, and on five-speed models, the vehicle restarts when first gear is engaged.

An extensive number of features come standard on the Insight, including dual air bags, anti-lock brakes, electric power steering, power windows and mirrors, power door locks with keyless entry, and anti-theft immobilizer system. Automatic climate control is also available.

The Competition
Though once seen as entry-level transportation, cars in the Compact Conventional segment in which Insight competes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and well-equipped. Clearly, manufacturers are committed to the segment, as no fewer than 20 models currently compete for buyers.

Not really a volume player, the Insight sold 666 units in calendar year 2005, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report.^SM 2005 calendar year sales in the segment were led by another Honda product, the Civic, selling 308,415 units for the year. Following Civic on the sales chart were the Toyota Corolla (244,032 units sold) and Chevrolet Cobalt (212,667). Other models with sales greater than 100,000 for 2005 include the Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Jetta, and Saturn ION.