2001 Honda Insight Honda Insight 2001 Honda Insight Base Coupe Hatchback FWD Japan A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available for 2001, and Monte Carlo Blue Pearl replaces Citrus Yellow on the color chart. Amazing fuel economy, astounding technology, lots of standard equipment. Batteries drain fast under continual electric motor assist, highly susceptible to cross winds, not much point-and-shoot power on tap. With its ultra-low drag styling, aluminum body structure and innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) powertrain, the two-passenger Insight can travel as far as 70 miles on a gallon of gas (theoretically, with a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, you can drive from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City and still have a gallon of gas in reserve). The heart of the system is a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine coupled with an electric motor that assists the gasoline engine under acceleration. The package features an idle-stop feature, which shuts off the engine when the driver places the shift lever in neutral and releases the clutch pedal. Unlike GM's all-electric EV-1, the Insight requires no external power supply to recharge the 144-volt nickel-metal hydride batteries. Regenerative braking via the ABS-assisted disc/drum brakes provides juice to the system. With a full charge, and the electric motor providing full assist, the Insight accelerates swiftly, but passing power is lacking. The five-speed manual transmission has relatively short first, second and third gears for good city driving performance, with tall overdrive gearing in fourth and fifth to maximize fuel economy. Like the Acura NSX, the Insight's unitized body is made of aluminum (except for the front fenders, which are made from plastic) and boasts a drag coefficient of only 0.25. Thanks to its aerodynamic bodywork, flat underbody, low rolling resistance tires and extensive use of lightweight materials, the Insight requires 30 percent less power to operate at highway speeds than the previous-generation Honda Civic. But the effort to save weight pays a price in the handling department. The Insight is highly susceptible to cross winds and the narrow tires easily track any groove in the pavement, causing the driver to adjust the steering continually to compensate. The Insight's interior is just as futuristic as the exterior with a sweeping dash and a high-tech LCD analog/digital instrument display. Divided into three sections, the cluster displays engine rpm, coolant temperature, and the engine's idiot lights on the left bank; a large digital speedometer, odometer, lifetime fuel economy bar graph and instant fuel economy in the middle; and fuel level, battery level indicator, and the electric motor charge and assist indicator on the right bank. Dual high-back bucket seats feature good lateral and lumbar support. Controls for power windows, mirrors, AM/FM cassette stereo, ventilation and available climate controls are all within easy reach, but two large adults might find themselves knocking elbows in the tight cockpit. Built fully equipped (the only option is an automatic air conditioning system) with power windows, door locks, exterior mirrors, an AM/FM cassette stereo, dual airbags, rear window defroster and a whole lot more, the Insight is an incredible value -- for a hybrid vehicle. Despite the handling shortcomings and quick-to-drain batteries, Honda has brought forth a realistic ultra-low-emission daily driver with electric assist that can be taken anywhere without the worry of having to find an electrical outlet for battery charging. Despite the arrival of the four-passenger Toyota Prius on the market, we bet Honda will sell every Insight they can produce. Toyota Prius 336,000 336,000 Not AvailableNot Available 5Unlimited NA NA NA 3 1 liters V3 73 hp @ 5700 rpm 91 ft-lbs. @ 2000 rpm 155.1 in. 66.7 in. 53.3 in. 1847 lbs. 94.5 in. 38.8 in. NA 50.5 in. NA 48.7 in. NA 42.9 in. NA 16.3 cu.ft. Standard Standard Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Not Tested Rating = Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested 10.6 gal. 61 mpg / 68 mpg 647 mi. / 721 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. N/A $18,980 7.35% $440 N/A 2% of the Base MSRP BASE (5M): 1L I3 SOHC SMPI 12-valve engine with variable valve timing, hybrid battery power; 5-speed OD manual transmission; front-wheel drive, 3.21 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear semi-independent torsion suspension with rear coil springs; power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensing assist; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes; 10.6 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored folding outside mirrors; 14" x 5.5" silver alloy wheels; P165/65SR14 BSW A/S tires; compact alloy spare wheel; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan feature, cassette player, 2 speakers, integrated roof antenna; power door locks, remote keyless entry, remote fuel door release; 1 power accessory outlet, driver's foot rest; digital instrumentationdisplay includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip computer, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar, trunk ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm; tinted windows with driver's 1-touch down function; fixed interval front windshield wipers, rear window wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 2, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, driver's and passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights, illuminated entry; driver's side vanity mirror; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel covered bin, 1 seatback storage pocket; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; black side window moldings, black frontwindshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.