At the heart of the Insight is that electric-gasoline hybrid drivetrain. Motivation is provided by a 1.5L gasoline engine, supplemented by a pair of electric motors for a total of 151 horsepower and 99 foot-pounds of torque. This is notably more than most other fuel sipping hybrids make and promises to keep the Insight from feeling dangerously slow while merging or trying to pass on the highway. Power is sent directly to the front wheels with a CVT. This both increases efficiency and makes the new Insight particularly smooth to cruise around in.
Styling on the new Insight is slightly more conventional than in previous versions. It isn't immediately recognizable as a hybrid, though looking closely reveals a sloped rear end which provides excellent aerodynamics. Instead, the styling more closely resembles the current Accord, but with a touch of the slightly less conventional Civic thrown in as well.
Inside, the Insight boasts a large interior that is even bigger than the one in the Civic. Honda claims that the Insight has class leading rear seat room, making it a great car for people who regularly use the back seat, but who still need something with a smallish footprint.
The Insight is available in three trims: LX, EX and Touring. The base LX comes with plenty of features as standard, including Bluetooth streaming audio, three drive modes, 16-inch alloy wheels, LED automatic headlights and taillights, a 160-watt sound system with 6 speakers and Honda Sensing, which includes a suite of safety and driver assistance technologies. Some of the safety equipment on the Insight includes Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation braking, Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System and Traffic Sign Recognition.
The EX replaces the center display with a bigger 8-inch unit while also replacing the stereo with an 8-speaker system that includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other features included in the EX are SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a blind spot information system, Cross Traffic Monitor, HondaLink Assist, a remote engine starter and a smart key.
Touring models get a navigation system, rain sensing wipers, LED fog lights, leather steering wheel, power sunroof, 8-way power driver seat and 4-way power passenger seat, heated front seats, leather trimmed seats and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Touring also comes with dual-zone climate control, upgraded 10-speaker 450-watt audio system, chrome door handles and turn signal indicators in the mirrors.
Hybrid Drivetrain
Spacious Interior And Back Seat
Honda Reliability
Tech Friendly Features
For 2021, the Honda Insight receives minor changes, which include a return to the traditional blind-spot and rear cross traffic warning system on the EX and Touring models. There is also a new color addition to the lineup; Radiant Red Metallic.
The 2021 Insight has a fair starting base price, putting it in between the compact and mid-sized sedan classes. This places it in competition with everything from Camrys to Sentras, but its main competition among specifically hybrid vehicles is the Toyota Prius. While it seems like Honda might be biting off more than it can chew, the Insight does have an incredibly sophisticated hybrid-electric powertrain, putting a heavy emphasis on fuel economy. Honda's documentation claims the Insight LX and EX trims will get 49 mpg on the highway and up to 55 mpg in the city, whereas the Touring trim manages 45 mpg on the highway and 51 mpg in the city. And it makes those numbers without being as boring as many of the other hybrids on the road, boasting significantly more horsepower than its closest rival, the Prius.
