On the highway one has to get used to the perception that the engine is lugging. It seems as if it needs to be downshifted into a lower gear most of the time. In fact it can be left in the higher gear as suggested by the upshift light without any problems as the electric motor adds torque as needed.
The car handles quite nicely with a good ride for a small car. It has really skinny low-rolling resistance tires that make it look under-tired. Narrow tires don't offer the grip of wider tires, but we had no problems in the lightweight Insight. You do feel and hear all the bumps on rough roads. The steering feels solid with some road feel and is not over assisted. The manual gearshift is smooth.
A new continuously variable transmission allows for an infinite number of "gear" ratios to optimize engine performance and efficiency. With the CVT, the Insight is expected to have the highest mileage rating of any car equipped with an automatic transmission. Honda predicts an Insight CVT can achieve 50 mpg in combined city and highway driving with a driving range of more than 500 miles.
The Insight earned Sierra Club's first-ever award for Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Automobile Magazine's 1999 Technology of the Year award. Next Page