MPG: 49 city, 61 highway, 53 combined
The Insight was the first hybrid on American soil, and it is still the most frugal. More than a decade after its introduction, the Insight continues to top fuel-economy lists, despite intensive development and advancements from both Honda itself and other carmakers. The revolutionary, quirky 2-seater hatchback could be had new for well under $20K. Its bare-bones cabin and overall chassis design, along with its little 1.0-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine — producing 67 horses and augmented by a 13-horsepower electric motor — made no bones about the model's purpose: getting from point A to point B using as little fuel as possible. It succeeded.
Bing: 2000 Honda Insight
James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side as Senior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trend and European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.