One Driver Is About To Take Honda’s First Hybrid Past The Million Mile Mark
A driver in Pennsylvania is near a big odometer milestone in what may be the world’s highest-mileage Honda Insight
- A 2002 Honda Insight is 15,000 miles away from hitting the million-mile milestone.
- The third owner pursues the milestone despite oil use and constant smoky exhaust.
- The hybrid has had three CVTs, three batteries, two flywheels, and one head gasket.
When most people picture a bucket list, they think of exotic destinations or adrenaline-fueled adventures. For Daisy Rue of Pennsylvania, the dream looks very different: she wants to watch her car’s odometer roll over to one million miles. That dream is now within reach after she bought a used Honda Insight that was already carrying an extraordinary amount of history on its wheels.
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This hybrid two-seater has certainly earned its stripes. Originally purchased new in 2002, it was sold to its second owner just two years later with a modest 11,000 miles (17,700 km) on the clock. Over the next twenty years, that owner drove it tirelessly, pushing the odometer to 983,000 miles (1,582,000 km) before passing it along to Daisy in 2024.
Earlier this month, the Insight hit 985,000 miles (1,585,200 km), leaving just 15,000 miles (24,140 km) to go before it reaches its goal.
A Honda that won the internet
Daisy shared a photo of the car and its odometer on a Facebook Group called Mileage Impossible. The post went viral, attracting over 23,000 likes and nearly 1,000 comments. People were excited to learn that the Honda Insight achieved this feat with the original 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine under the hood.
The car’s mechanical record is remarkable for such high mileage. According to Daisy, the hybrid is now on its third CVT gearbox and third hybrid battery pack. It has needed two flywheel replacements and, at 975,000 miles (1,569,100 km), a head gasket replacement.
Even so, those repairs are minor in the context of nearly two decades of relentless use. The rear brakes are still original, and the body and interior have aged far better than expected, showing minimal signs of wear.
Daisy Rue / Facebook
Not without its quirks
Of course, what could be the highest-mileage Insight in the world doesn’t come without problems. The engine consumes oil heavily, likely due to worn piston rings, and a rebuild may be on the horizon. The exhaust produces so much smoke that Daisy resorted to placing a note on the rear bumper asking people not to shout at her about it.
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Still, the hope is that this Insight will reach the million-mile mark. Many are curious to see if the odometer resets to zero, and some wonder whether Honda might recognize the achievement with a special gesture, perhaps even offering Daisy a newer model in exchange.
A hybrid pioneer
The first-generation Honda Insight arrived in 1999 and remained in production until 2006. It was one of the earliest hybrid cars to reach the market, joining the Toyota Prius, which debuted in 1997. Its aerodynamic three-door body featured covered rear wheels and a distinctive teardrop profile, all crafted from aluminum.
Power came from a 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine paired with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system, delivering a claimed 70 mpg on the highway.
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