2004 Honda Insight Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

jason fifi on May 7, 2015

the 2004 honda insight seats 2, and their small immediately needed personal belongings. much more than that will need to be shipped freight. i've been driving mine for about a month now and on the first tank i averaged 57mpg, on the second, 65, and on the most recent, with some very hurried city driving, i've been averaging 45mpg. the aluminum body coupled with 2 different track-widths for the front and rear wheels makes for a bumpy ride on rough roads, but the seats are supportive and comfortable. this is only an issue because of noise... some of the weight reduction shows itself over time in the interior especially. the glove compartment door doesn't have that honda clunk to it, it's thin plastic. still strong, and it feels durable, but it's not like the 6th or 7th gen civic with it's confidence inspiring "i'm an affordable tool" vibe. above 85mph on interstates the glove box vibrates a touch. i've looked for hinge adjustments, but nothing seems to make it better. it's not horrible, but it is an annoyance. the hybrid's battery location is smart, directly behind the driver. this is also nice because it raises the storage area's floor up to an almost "table" height, which is convenient when standing in a parking lot, repacking a briefcase between meetings, or going through cargo, but is bothersome when lifting heavy objects up into the boot. i don't mind it, but you may. if you're in the market for one, look for an example with the most possible options. the 4 speaker stereo is infinitely better than the 2 in door base system, or at least twice as good. i'm happy i have it. i do not have cruise, but on long stretches at static speeds, i wish i did. i'm thrilled to finally own one, and i'm glad i waited until i found a clean, well maintained example. if you could live with a motorcycle, you could live with an insight. it makes an excellent daily driver, and i have another car for when i need to take more people/things around.

Abe on December 17, 2012

I could not ask for a better car never been so happy with an automobile Honda makes one heck of an awsome car

Houston TX on December 30, 2008

This was the first non-American car I ever bought. My history is Vega, Monza, Pontiac 6000, LeSabre, Impala, Bonneville SSEi. But we were ready for something different. This is an outstanding commuter car for in-city driving. Real-workld driving in a metro city like houston is 35-40 in town and 40-45 on highway - that;'s with the A/C on (which is 6 months of the year here). This a very 'zippy' car, great acceleration onto freeway, i've never topped it out but top end is over 85 mph (got to keep up with these TX drivers!). after 4 yrs still get 50mpg on flat highway w/o a/c running. Long road trips will require rest stops: no cruise control and the seats are firm (like airline seats) but comfy. Leg room is awesome - I'm 6ft4in and it has as much leg room as any fullsize car (and more than many). other drawback - sound system is minimal. no CD player and speakers are only an 8in round spkr in each door. Road noise (primarily wind and the next driver's stereo blasting hip-hop) is also present so don't expect a hi-fi music experience. But I love this car still after 4 yrs and plan to do it again if they can dress it up just a bit w/o destroying its spirit (read: don't let it get fat!)

jason fifi on May 7, 2015

the 2004 honda insight seats 2, and their small immediately needed personal belongings. much more than that will need to be shipped freight. i've been driving mine for about a month now and on the first tank i averaged 57mpg, on the second, 65, and on the most recent, with some very hurried city driving, i've been averaging 45mpg. the aluminum body coupled with 2 different track-widths for the front and rear wheels makes for a bumpy ride on rough roads, but the seats are supportive and comfortable. this is only an issue because of noise... some of the weight reduction shows itself over time in the interior especially. the glove compartment door doesn't have that honda clunk to it, it's thin plastic. still strong, and it feels durable, but it's not like the 6th or 7th gen civic with it's confidence inspiring "i'm an affordable tool" vibe. above 85mph on interstates the glove box vibrates a touch. i've looked for hinge adjustments, but nothing seems to make it better. it's not horrible, but it is an annoyance. the hybrid's battery location is smart, directly behind the driver. this is also nice because it raises the storage area's floor up to an almost "table" height, which is convenient when standing in a parking lot, repacking a briefcase between meetings, or going through cargo, but is bothersome when lifting heavy objects up into the boot. i don't mind it, but you may. if you're in the market for one, look for an example with the most possible options. the 4 speaker stereo is infinitely better than the 2 in door base system, or at least twice as good. i'm happy i have it. i do not have cruise, but on long stretches at static speeds, i wish i did. i'm thrilled to finally own one, and i'm glad i waited until i found a clean, well maintained example. if you could live with a motorcycle, you could live with an insight. it makes an excellent daily driver, and i have another car for when i need to take more people/things around.

Abe on December 17, 2012

I could not ask for a better car never been so happy with an automobile Honda makes one heck of an awsome car

Houston TX on December 30, 2008

This was the first non-American car I ever bought. My history is Vega, Monza, Pontiac 6000, LeSabre, Impala, Bonneville SSEi. But we were ready for something different. This is an outstanding commuter car for in-city driving. Real-workld driving in a metro city like houston is 35-40 in town and 40-45 on highway - that;'s with the A/C on (which is 6 months of the year here). This a very 'zippy' car, great acceleration onto freeway, i've never topped it out but top end is over 85 mph (got to keep up with these TX drivers!). after 4 yrs still get 50mpg on flat highway w/o a/c running. Long road trips will require rest stops: no cruise control and the seats are firm (like airline seats) but comfy. Leg room is awesome - I'm 6ft4in and it has as much leg room as any fullsize car (and more than many). other drawback - sound system is minimal. no CD player and speakers are only an 8in round spkr in each door. Road noise (primarily wind and the next driver's stereo blasting hip-hop) is also present so don't expect a hi-fi music experience. But I love this car still after 4 yrs and plan to do it again if they can dress it up just a bit w/o destroying its spirit (read: don't let it get fat!)

jason fifi on May 7, 2015

the 2004 honda insight seats 2, and their small immediately needed personal belongings. much more than that will need to be shipped freight. i've been driving mine for about a month now and on the first tank i averaged 57mpg, on the second, 65, and on the most recent, with some very hurried city driving, i've been averaging 45mpg. the aluminum body coupled with 2 different track-widths for the front and rear wheels makes for a bumpy ride on rough roads, but the seats are supportive and comfortable. this is only an issue because of noise... some of the weight reduction shows itself over time in the interior especially. the glove compartment door doesn't have that honda clunk to it, it's thin plastic. still strong, and it feels durable, but it's not like the 6th or 7th gen civic with it's confidence inspiring "i'm an affordable tool" vibe. above 85mph on interstates the glove box vibrates a touch. i've looked for hinge adjustments, but nothing seems to make it better. it's not horrible, but it is an annoyance. the hybrid's battery location is smart, directly behind the driver. this is also nice because it raises the storage area's floor up to an almost "table" height, which is convenient when standing in a parking lot, repacking a briefcase between meetings, or going through cargo, but is bothersome when lifting heavy objects up into the boot. i don't mind it, but you may. if you're in the market for one, look for an example with the most possible options. the 4 speaker stereo is infinitely better than the 2 in door base system, or at least twice as good. i'm happy i have it. i do not have cruise, but on long stretches at static speeds, i wish i did. i'm thrilled to finally own one, and i'm glad i waited until i found a clean, well maintained example. if you could live with a motorcycle, you could live with an insight. it makes an excellent daily driver, and i have another car for when i need to take more people/things around.

Abe on December 17, 2012

I could not ask for a better car never been so happy with an automobile Honda makes one heck of an awsome car

Houston TX on December 30, 2008

This was the first non-American car I ever bought. My history is Vega, Monza, Pontiac 6000, LeSabre, Impala, Bonneville SSEi. But we were ready for something different. This is an outstanding commuter car for in-city driving. Real-workld driving in a metro city like houston is 35-40 in town and 40-45 on highway - that;'s with the A/C on (which is 6 months of the year here). This a very 'zippy' car, great acceleration onto freeway, i've never topped it out but top end is over 85 mph (got to keep up with these TX drivers!). after 4 yrs still get 50mpg on flat highway w/o a/c running. Long road trips will require rest stops: no cruise control and the seats are firm (like airline seats) but comfy. Leg room is awesome - I'm 6ft4in and it has as much leg room as any fullsize car (and more than many). other drawback - sound system is minimal. no CD player and speakers are only an 8in round spkr in each door. Road noise (primarily wind and the next driver's stereo blasting hip-hop) is also present so don't expect a hi-fi music experience. But I love this car still after 4 yrs and plan to do it again if they can dress it up just a bit w/o destroying its spirit (read: don't let it get fat!)

jason fifi on May 7, 2015

the 2004 honda insight seats 2, and their small immediately needed personal belongings. much more than that will need to be shipped freight. i've been driving mine for about a month now and on the first tank i averaged 57mpg, on the second, 65, and on the most recent, with some very hurried city driving, i've been averaging 45mpg. the aluminum body coupled with 2 different track-widths for the front and rear wheels makes for a bumpy ride on rough roads, but the seats are supportive and comfortable. this is only an issue because of noise... some of the weight reduction shows itself over time in the interior especially. the glove compartment door doesn't have that honda clunk to it, it's thin plastic. still strong, and it feels durable, but it's not like the 6th or 7th gen civic with it's confidence inspiring "i'm an affordable tool" vibe. above 85mph on interstates the glove box vibrates a touch. i've looked for hinge adjustments, but nothing seems to make it better. it's not horrible, but it is an annoyance. the hybrid's battery location is smart, directly behind the driver. this is also nice because it raises the storage area's floor up to an almost "table" height, which is convenient when standing in a parking lot, repacking a briefcase between meetings, or going through cargo, but is bothersome when lifting heavy objects up into the boot. i don't mind it, but you may. if you're in the market for one, look for an example with the most possible options. the 4 speaker stereo is infinitely better than the 2 in door base system, or at least twice as good. i'm happy i have it. i do not have cruise, but on long stretches at static speeds, i wish i did. i'm thrilled to finally own one, and i'm glad i waited until i found a clean, well maintained example. if you could live with a motorcycle, you could live with an insight. it makes an excellent daily driver, and i have another car for when i need to take more people/things around.