2004 Honda Insight: Interior Refinements
The most significant changes for the 2004 Honda Insight will be in its interior enhancements. Owners of the previous model years were more than pleased with the Insight's most important features. Indeed, they rarely complained about the car's mileage, design or engineering. Instead, many Insight owners have been known to gripe about the sub-par audio system and, this year, Honda finally heard the music.
For 2004, the Insight boasts an improved audio system composed of an AM/FM radio and an in-dash single CD player, and all trims come standard with 4 speakers (instead of 2 as previously equipped). Another top complaint was the inability to carry a child, even for the shortest trips around town. Once again, Honda responds with child seat anchors. The remaining interior changes are mostly cosmetic: the seats are now new beige and black (instead of gray and black) and the fuel consumption meter on the digital instrument cluster has been changed from green to red to "better differentiate it from other instrument panel indicators," according to Honda.
As in previous years, the 2004 Insight is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an advanced continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), achieving EPA city/highway fuel economy ratings of 60/66 and 57/56 mpg, respectively. According to Tom Elliot, executive vice-president of American Honda, "the Insight remains a favorite vehicle choice among customers seeking cutting edge technology and industry leading fuel economy." Topping the EPA's Green Vehicles' chart and the ACEEE's Green Book, the Insight "demonstrates Honda's long-standing commitment to technological and environmental leadership," says Elliot. Watch your local dealer for the 2004 Insight, due at any moment.
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