2001 Honda Insight review: Retro Road Test

This is what environmentally-friendly motoring looked like in 1999. A car from a time before hybrids were commonplace, the Honda Insight would have looked at home on BBC TV show Tomorrow’s World.

It boasted unheard-of fuel economy from its petrol-electric powertrain, along with futuristic styling. But was it too much, too soon?

What are its rivals?

At the same time, Toyota was launching the more conventional hybrid Prius – and that’s still around today (now into its fifth generation, in fact).

The Prius boasted five seats, a useable boot and looked a little more normal. Most car buyers liked that.

What engine does it use?

Under the Insight’s bonnet you will find a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine. It produces a modest 68hp.

The first-generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) – essentially a small electric motor located on the crankshaft – adds an extra 13hp to that total.

What’s it like to drive?

Planet-friendly cars are dull to drive, right? Er, wrong. Thanks to its eco-oriented tall gearing, the Insight isn’t quick, hitting 62mph in 12.0 seconds and topping out at 112mph. However, fans of the Retro Road Test will know fun isn’t all about raw speed in cars like these.

You sit with your bottom on the floor, surrounded by a weird and wonderful interior. There are just the two seats, while a sloping roofline (which helps achieve the low 0.25 Cd drag coefficient) makes it feel a bit sporty. In traffic, you also feel very aware of how large other cars are.

The steering, while not particularly direct, provides you with enough feedback and confidence to carry speed through corners. The suspension, meanwhile, manages to be both wallowy and firm.

Reliability and running costs

The Insight’s crucial facts and figures are still impressive today. How about a combined 83.1mpg? And we’ve heard of owners comfortably exceeding this.

A 40-litre fuel tank means it can cover 700 miles before needing a fill-up, too. It emits just 80g/km of CO2 – less than the city cars on sale today.

It’s also packed with technology to help improve efficiency, including engine stop/start as standard, as well as a gearshift indicator and even low rolling-resistance tyres. Amazing stuff for 1999.

Could I drive it every day?

The original Honda Insight would make for a great everyday hack. It’s cheaper to run than even the most economical modern cars, and it’s unlikely to leave you stranded on the side of the road.

The interior, while lacking a few mod-cons, is perfectly comfortable – although you might feel a tad vulnerable on motorways. Oh, and if you need to carry more than one passenger, it’s obviously a no-go.

How much should I pay?

There weren’t many sold in the UK, so simply finding one can be difficult – we discovered just two currently listed in the classifieds.

Pay as much as you can afford, as buying a cheap one could be a false economy. A £5,000 budget should get you a reasonable example, but spend more if you find a really tidy one.

What should I look out for?

It’s a Honda – so it’s fair to say it’s likely to be reliable. However, the earliest models will now be 24 years old, so their batteries will be past their best if they haven’t already been replaced. Budget at least £2,000 for this.

With an aluminium body, rust shouldn’t be an issue, but look out for any minor bumps and scrapes. They might not be cheap to repair.

Should I buy one?

Yes, if you can find a good one. Sure, by the time you’ve factored in maintenance costs, you might be better off running a Golf hatchback or similar, but this is much more fun.

Whether a quirky everyday runaround or a garage queen (and probably a decent investment), the original Honda Insight ticks a lot of boxes. Just as long as you don’t need to carry more than one passenger.

Pub fact

The legendary original Honda NSX was handcrafted at the firm’s specially-built Tochigi plant, but declining sales towards the end of its life meant the Insight and S2000 were assembled at the same factory.

Yes, this 83.1mpg hybrid was built alongside a mid-engined, Ferrari-baiting supercar.

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