Insight is Honda's hybrid car, a two-seater that runs on gasoline and electric power. Its small gasoline- powered engine is a lean-burning model that is connected with a permanent- magnet electric motor. Electricity for the electric motor is stored in a 144- volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack behind the seats where a rear seat normally would be.

As the car accelerates the electric motor assists the gasoline engine, cutting pollution and increasing its gas mileage. At highway speeds the electric motor turns off, allowing the gas engine to run at its peak efficiency.

Unlike other electric vehicles, Insight does not need to be plugged in to recharge its batteries. Insight's regenerative braking system recharges the batteries as the car brakes to a stop and helps give the car a 600-mile driving range. In addition, if the car sits and idles a while out of gear, the gas engine automatically shuts off. It starts again when the clutch is engaged. Insight's aluminum body, which is 40% lighter than a comparable steel car body, also makes the car a little light on its feet.

2001 Insight starting price is at $20,080 US. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates Insight is capable of 61 mpg with city driving and 68 mpg with highway driving. Insight official site has more specifications and features.

Mark Savage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staff journalist, wrote about his Insight's driving experience on his September 6, 2000 article.

First, the car's gas engine is awfully quiet. You had to listen carefully to make sure Insight is running. Honda always does a great job with its engines, but this is a little eerie.

So was the acceleration. The Insight is as far from a speed demon as a soapbox derby racer on a flat grade. The car is as slow as an arthritic snake. I found myself running it up in first gear as far as possible before shifting the five-speed manual to second and quickly to third. That was just to get up to normal city driving speeds. The shifter was fine, but the car seems to founder in the middle gears.

Once on the highway, the Insight cruises well at 70 or more with little effort. The car does about 50 at best on a highway entry ramp so caution is the keyword there.

Overall the car handles OK, but feels like a subcompact from a few years ago. Ride, too, is not as pleasant as most small cars. The suspension does not cushion the occupants much from large road imperfections, creating a somewhat jarring ride at times.

Braking is fine and it was sort of entertaining to watch the green lights ramp up on the dash to show you the car was regenerating electric power. Every once in a while the battery light would show that it had gained more energy from the braking.

Note, this is a big hatch that distorts the driver's rear vision due to its curve, but that helps the car's aerodynamics, as do the rear wheel well covers. And this is, if nothing else, a good exercise in styling that helps fuel economy. Folks at the gas station who were filling up their sport-utility truck were duly envious as I pumped just $9 worth into the Insight after driving about 400 miles in a week.