The Insight is Honda’s answer to a more efficient hybrid in a compact sedan form factor that offers many similarities of both looks and feel to the Honda Civic. That said, the Honda Insight achieves exceptional fuel economy with its proven hybrid powertrain getting up to an incredible 52 mpg on a combined city and highway combined.
For the latest release, the 2021 Honda Insight replaces the LaneWatch rear-facing camera installed on the side-view mirrors with a more conventional blind-spot monitoring system that illuminates a small lamp located on the side-mirrors. Other than that, all key features, design, and trim pricing remains similar to previous model years.
Unlike most hybrid vehicles on the market, the 2021 Insight offers a quick and agile acceleration and handling thanks to the nimble chassis design while keeping the overall weight low. Equipped with a 1.5 liter Atkinson Cycle four cylinder engine that works in tandem with an AC electric motor to produce 151 horsepower – it may not look like a lot on paper, but it’s more than sufficient to propel the lightweight Insight quickly from a stand still.
An Electronic Continuous Variable Transmission handles gear arrangement to extract the most performance out of the gasoline engine and electric motor combo. The result achieves a respectable EPA rating of 49 and 52 mpg on a city and highway drive scenario.
The front-wheel compact sedan is quick off its feet during acceleration and feels both unconventional and surprisingly light and nimble, allowing it to score high in the steering and handling category. Pure EV mode can be set via a drive-mode selector located on the center console allowing drivers to disable power from the gasoline engine for whisper-quiet driving provided that the onboard 1.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack has enough charge capacity.
Overall, the Honda Insight is an enjoyable ride that offers a good mix of fuel economy, practicality and spirited driving. The latter is what really sets the Insight apart from the more boring and conventional Hybrid alternatives on the market.
Despite its bargain price model, the 2021 Honda Insight still manages to pull off a decent interior cabin space that closely resembles the 2021 Civic. The all-digital instrument cluster display and flat button panel gear shifter on the center console makes for a clean and modernistic look while the panels are neatly configured with mixed types of high quality vinyl.
Plenty of storage areas and cup holders are available in the center console with available wireless smartphone charging. Dual-zone climate control and heated seating even comes standard in both the base Hybrid and upgraded Hybrid Touring trims.
Driving position sits low to the ground offering driver-focused ergonomics, while the rear seats still offer a respectable amount of leg room even for full size adult passengers. Extra cargo space can be expanded thanks to its 60/40 rear folding seats.
The base Hybrid trim starts at a MSRP of just $28,490 and comes preloaded with a generous package including a standard 7” infotainment touch screen, dual-zone climate controls, multi-angle rear view camera, proximity key entry and push button start. Opting for the more preferred Hybrid Touring trim bumps up the price to $32,190 but adds the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation with bilingual Voice Navigation, heated rear seats, perforated leather trimmed seats and front-passenger 4-way power adjustable seats.
