Don’t look now, but the Honda Insight is now a premium compact sedan slotted between the ubiquitous Civic and Accord.
My tester, the 2019 Honda Insight Touring, is a hybrid sedan with electric option, to extend range or drive short distances. Mine was strictly a hybrid and still managed to deliver 48 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving.
It’s no longer a clown car, but instead has morphed into a sleek sedan with robust acceleration, class-leading interior space with seating for five, premium appointments and the latest technology including Honda Sensing.
Insight is offered in three trims: the well-appointed LX, upgraded EX and the fully equipped Touring.
Powered by Honda’s latest generation two-motor hybrid system that includes a 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, the pair generates 151 horsepower. It’s paired to an electric, continuously variable transmission.
Most surprising of all is the largesse of the Insight’s trunk. Most hybrids have an condensed trunk to accommodate batteries. The Insight’s trunk was large enough to accommodate four full-size golf bags, although it took the strength of a Tacoma longshoreman to make it happen.
Insight’s exterior features a coupe-like profile, and wide stance. Details like the “flying wing” grille, standard low-profile LED headlights and taillights, tasteful use of chrome and 17-inch alloy wheels up the ante.
The line-topping Touring model features everything offered on the LEX and EX, plus LED fog lights and side-mirror turn signals, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power moon roof, perforated leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats with 8-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way power for the passenger, dual-zone climate control, a 10-speaker audio system, embedded Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System and Honda HD Digital Traffic.
Other goodies included a multi-view rear camera, Bluetooth, USB interface, remote engine start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, pushbutton start, walkaway auto lock, 4G Wi-Fi mobile hotspot (data plan required), smartphone-based remote vehicle locking/unlocking, stolen vehicle tracking and more.
HondaSensing adds yet another layer to the Insight, making it – in my book – a great value at under $30k. The suite of safety features includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist system and road departure mitigation.
That’s on top of “standard” safety features like vehicle stability assist, anti-lock braking, hill start assist, tire pressure monitoring and more.
Honda hits the sweet spot with the Insight. It makes for a great commuter car, but would also work for small families and weekend getaways. And once again, it’s an economical hybrid that sacrifices nothing when it comes to creature comforts.
Base Price: $28,985
Price As Driven: $28,985
Base price includes destination charge, Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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