2002 Honda Insight

Those of you tuned into 60 Minutes a week ago saw yet another frightening report on America’s oil consumption and future prospects for sustaining that gluttony. Just as the news was tightening its grip around my throat, I remembered the Insight, Honda’s gas-electric hybrid vehicle I had recently driven. Introduced in the U.S. in 1999, the Insight gets its first automatic transmission this year in the form of a continuously variable transmission or CVT. The update sparked another round of test-drives for the press and gave me a chance to experience this little phenomenon in a new light. At last, I thought, an antidote to this looming oil crisis you can not only see and touch, but drive and enjoy. Maybe there is hope on the horizon, after all. The Good News
The thrilling news is the Insight with CVT gets 57 miles to the gallon in the city and 56 on the highway with a driving range of “more than 500 miles,” says Honda. With five-speed manual shifter, the mileage is 61mpg city/68 highway, making this new option less efficient. But don’t count on a hue and cry from the Sierra Club.

The Insight’s power comes from Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system employing a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder gas engine assisted by an ultra-light, thin electric motor. The electric motor adds power when needed and acts as a generator during braking or coasting. That recharges the battery pack, so the Insight never needs to be plugged in.

Somewhat disconcerting, but adding to the efficiency, is the Insight CVT’s “idle stop” feature that shuts down the engine when the car stops at red lights, etc. It automatically restarts when you take your foot off the brake.

So we adore the Insight’s fuel efficiency and total political correctness ecologically speaking, but what is it like to drive?

Believe it or not, it is a treat. The CVT transmission – also called a “stepless” transmission since it doesn’t shift through conventional gears but continously chooses optimum gear ratios for the engine load -- works beautifully in this setup. The Insight’s 67 horses push acceleration to 60 miles per hour in about 10.5 seconds. All things considered, that’s not bad.

Of course, some of its efficiency comes from the fact it weighs only about 1900 pounds, so you feel a little thin and breezy. But the ride is reasonable, the engine whisper quiet and the handling predictably zippy as its size would indicate.

Only two people can ride in the Insight, and the only cargo you can carry is stowed beneath the glass hatch behind you, atop battery packs. But this car includes a surprising array of amenities, like power windows and mirrors, automatic air conditioning, electric power steering, dual air bags, AM/FM/cassette and remote keyless entry. Not too shabby to be so green.

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Insight is its physical design. With its flat rear end, low rear-wheel fenders and aerodynamic slant, it looks rather old-Citroen-meets-21st Century-wunderkind. Definitely something different.

But because the Insight really is definitely something different, I like its funky packaging. The entire concept flies in the face of today’s conventional transportation (read: gas-guzzling sport utilities), and its looks underscore that point.

The Bad News
Two things worry me about this Insight: One, is getting hit by today’s conventional transportation in this poster car for Weight Watchers and, two is experiencing mechanical trouble in Middle-of-Nowhere, USA, pop. 4.

Price
Price as tested with CVT, ,720.

Is it worth it?
I think we all expected the first alternatively-powered vehicles to be anemic, spartan affairs one might simply tolerate for their efficiency. This Insight certainly proves us wrong. But then automakers knew all along America isn’t very tolerant when it comes to personal transportation. These new vehicles have to meet not only the green standard, but the greed standard, too.

This Insight is a delight on many fronts – efficiency, price, driving satisfaction -- and the automatic transmission gives it an even wider appeal. If this is only the first step towards viable alternative fueling, there is much hope indeed for future transportation. We may even see the day when we no longer have to listen to Leslie Stahl spread doom and gloom about diminishing resources. That alone makes me want to go out and buy an Insight.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.