2005 Honda Insight New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2005 Honda Insight?
After a handful of modifications last year, the Honda Insight powers into 2005 without change. Honda sells very few Insights – the Civic Hybrid is a more popular and practical choice – but nothing beats the Insight for maximum miles per gallon.

Advantages of the 2005 Honda Insight:

• High fuel economy
• Comfortable seats
• Fun to drive character
• Distinctive appearance broadcasts green leanings

Objections to the 2005 Honda Insight:

• Distinctive appearance broadcasts green leanings
• Runs out of steam on hills
• Noisy cabin

Editor's Advice:
Honda wants you to spend more money to buy a two-passenger Honda Insight than a five-passenger Honda Civic Hybrid. Why? To obtain significantly better fuel economy. In real world driving, the 2005 Honda Insight can go an extra 15 miles on each gallon of gas. The downside, of course, is that the Insight carries only two people, has a smaller cargo area, and is distinctively styled to broadcast the owner’s green leanings (or maybe this is a good thing?). Still, this is an excellent commuter vehicle equipped with comfortable front seats and a fun-to-drive character despite its leisurely acceleration performance. Avoid hilly areas and either wear ear plugs or crank the stereo system, and the Honda Insight makes excellent sense as a second car for Point A to Point B driving.