Honda Insight

Name: 2006 Honda Insight
Brand: Honda

EPA MPG: 65 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 65 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Insight is an interesting car to look at and talk about, but not particularly good to drive. With just two seats and little luggage space, it's little more than a commuter runabout. It's also slow, small and light, so it feels vulnerable on a crowded freeway. Carrying children is not recommended because the passenger-side airbag has no cut-off switch. This is a green car for those who can live within its practical limitations.

2006 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Honda Insight

vs. Similar Cars

Chrysler PT Cruis...

Chrysler PT Cruiser

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Honda vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Honda vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Honda vs. Other New Car Brands

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2006 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2006 Honda Insight

$3,875

EPA MPG 65 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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$2,850 - $3,000

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt

$3,050 - $4,000

EPA MPG 27 mpg

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2006 Chevrolet HHR

$3,025 - $3,275

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2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser

$2,775 - $3,100

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2006 Ford Focus

$2,775 - $3,275

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2006 Honda Civic

$2,775 - $5,850

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2006 Hyundai Accent

$3,025

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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$2,950 - $3,225

EPA MPG 27 mpg

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2006 Kia Rio

$2,850 - $2,925

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2006 Kia Spectra

$3,125 - $3,150

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2006 Mazda 3

$3,500 - $4,050

EPA MPG 27 mpg

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2006 Mitsubishi Lancer

$2,775 - $13,325

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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2006 Nissan Sentra

$2,800 - $3,675

EPA MPG NA

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2006 Pontiac Vibe

$4,250 - $4,800

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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2006 Saab 9-2X

$4,025 - $4,625

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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2006 Saturn Ion

$2,775 - $3,025

EPA MPG 27 mpg

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2006 Scion tC

$4,100 - $4,125

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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2006 Scion xA

$4,475 - $4,675

EPA MPG 34 mpg

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2006 Scion xB

$4,175 - $4,525

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

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2006 Smart ForTwo

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

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2006 Subaru Impreza

$3,600 - $11,225

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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2006 Suzuki Forenza

$2,825

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

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2006 Toyota Corolla

$4,975 - $5,325

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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2006 Toyota Matrix

$4,300 - $4,750

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

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2006 Toyota Prius

$5,000

EPA MPG 56 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Volkswagen Beetle

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Volkswagen Golf

$3,375 - $4,875

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Volkswagen Jetta

$2,825 - $3,375

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Volvo V50

$3,750 - $4,200

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

Features & Specs

2-door hatchback

2 front

Front

1-liter 3 hybrid (73 hp)

5-speed manual
CVT

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2019-2022

2019 Redesign Year

The Insight returned as our fuel economy champ among cars that don't have to be plugged in, thanks to its 54 mpg overall in our tests, which is two mpg better than the Toyota Prius. Based on the Civic sedan, the Insight has the same strengths and weaknesses. The ride is comfortable, its handling is secure but mundane, and the rear seat is relatively roomy. But the Insight suffers from a very low stance, which hurts getting in and out. The driver's seat is short on lower back support, and the controls are somewhat tricky, including the fussy, push-button gear selector. The car can loaf around on electric power alone at very low speeds but when the gas engine awakes when more power is needed, it's loud. Standard advanced safety systems include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. For 2022, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning come standard.

2010-2018

2010 Redesign Year

Honda directly targeted the Toyota Prius with their second-generation Insight hatchback. Introduced for 2010, the car was considerably less expensive than the larger Prius, but turned out to be a half-hearted effort. Gas mileage of 39 mpg overall isn't up to the standards of other small hybrids. Driving the Insight is no prize either, as it is slow and noisy. Base LX versions lacked electronic stability control; emergency handling was a handful. Stability control became standard for 2012 on all Insights. Interior fit and finish are lacking, rear visibility is difficult, and the back seat is cramped. The Insight was discontinued after the 2014 model year.

2000-2009

2000 Redesign Year

As the first hybrid on the market, the Honda Insight posted the best fuel economy we had seen at the time; with 51 mpg overall; a record that stood until the 2016 Toyota Prius came along. But this flyweight two-seater really makes you pay for that efficiency when it comes to livability and drivability. The ride is barely tolerable and the car is very noisy. Acceleration is reasonable against the clock, but in everyday driving, it requires a lot of shifting of the manual transmission to keep up with traffic. Rear visibility is poor. Note that the Insight is not equipped to carry children, since the passenger-side airbag has no shut-off switch. Antilock brakes are standard, but driving the Insight feels vulnerable on a crowded highway because it is so small, light, and slow. Overall, the Insight is little more than a commuter runabout. Hybrid battery failures are fairly common. Production for this generation lasted until 2006.