But wait. There is one more feature that separates this car from others. When you put it in neutral and roll to a standstill, the engine stops. Slip the transmission into first and the engine jumps back to life without even a hic-up. That said the engine remains running while stationary to support the climate control system if the A/C or heat is not set to the economy mode. This engine-stop feature alone dramatically reduces the amount of toxic hydrocarbons emitted into the atmosphere - not to mention reducing to your gas bill.

The only instance that the electrically assisted motor wasn't up to the task at hand was during an extremely arduous hill climb to the summit of the Coquihalla Mountain. The battery reserve was depleted and the little Honda was forced to run only on fossil fuel. Although I managed a steady 80 km/h (50 mph) the engine sounded strained. To put things into perspective, the hill in question is well known for knocking the wind out of conventional power units as well.

The overall exterior design of the Insight was met with less enthusiasm. Imagine what would happen if you cross-pollinated a second generation Honda CRX with a Citroen SM. Voila, you have a quirky fashion statement that might do best on the streets of Paris. The feature most criticized is its rear fender skirts. As unconventional as they are, they do contribute to an unprecedented 0.25 coefficient of drag, aiding the Honda's overall fuel economy and stability on the road.

This added stability is necessary given the Insights feather-light weight of 856 kg (1887 lbs). Achieved by the extensive use of aluminum in the sheet metal, chassis components and drivetrain, the Insight is one of the lightest vehicles available. The engine itself weighs a scant 57.6 kg (127 lbs). How Honda managed to achieve current safety standards with this ultra-light is a miracle in itself.