Since it was introduced back in 2002, Honda Insight's 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine and Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) motor-generator have been modified, and the CVT model's final drive ratio is considerably lower, at 5.69:1 compared to 3.21 for the manual, to take advantage of the CVT's wider-spread "gear'' ratios.

Powered by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™) system that pairs a 3-cylinder VTEC™-E engine with an electric motor, the Insight comes fully loaded with dual f ...
Author: Jenny McLane
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Winding country roads provide great driving delight. They give sports car owners ample proof why they often sacrifice luxury and comfort for speed and excitement.

In Northern California, the wine country roads through the Napa Valley and Mendocino Coast are prime examples -- at least for drivers. There are plenty of stretches where passengers susceptible to car sickness may be in trouble. But for a driver, the deep turns and switchbacks require plenty of shifting, maneuvering and accele ...
Author: James Raia
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The first time I came to a stoplight, the car was so quiet I thought the engine had stalled. I tried to restart the car, but the engine was already on, and I advanced when the light changed in my favor.

But the same thing happened at the next spotlight and again at the third red light I reached.

It wasn't like I was driving a "high-tech" vehicle and didn't know how properly operate it. Rather, it was "only" a 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid -- the first hybrid I've had as a weekly test dr ...
Author: James Raia
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