The original Honda Insight debuted as a 2000 model and received more mockery than respect. It was a far-from-perfect, two-door subcompact that looked like a mechanical peanut on wheels.
With its unique appearance, the Insight garnered more attention as an oddity than it did for its now-important legend. It was the first mass-produced hybrid available in the United States. It was ugly, simultaneously cool and it got whooped in sales a few months later when the Toyota Prius debuted.
Key Takeaways
- Insight grows up into a midsize four-door hybrid sedan: Honda replaced the two-door subcompact hatchback with a mainstream four-door design that finally looks like a conventional sedan rather than a mechanical peanut on wheels.
- 151-hp hybrid powertrain with 1.5-liter four and electric motor: A 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery beneath the rear seats feeds the electric drive motor. Output is routed to the front wheels.
- $28,090 MSRP positions the Touring competitively: Priced near the 2019 U.S. new-car average, the top Touring trim adds leather, power seats, a 10-speaker audio system, and navigation.
- Honda Sensing safety suite standard across all trims: Adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, traffic sign reader, and driver attention monitor come on every Insight.
- 51 city / 45 highway mpg is lower than original marketing claims: Honda’s original Insight touted 60+ mpg city; the modern version lands at 51 mpg city and 45 mpg highway — still competitive but not segment-leading.
Two decades later, Toyota still dominates the country’s alternative fuel vehicle sales. But Honda is still an innovation leader. Beginning with the 2019 edition, the Insight is now a midsize, four-door sedan. The hatchback configuration has been dispatched for a mainstream design. Honda‘s innovation to boldly go beyond includes the hydrogen-propelled Clarity.
The original Insight was discontinued in 2006 but a new-look model returned in 2010. Honda hoped to infiltrate Prius sales offering the base model at less than $20,000 and as the country’s cheapest hybrid. Toyota still dominated.
Plenty of other hybrids are now available. Nearly every manufacturer offers an alternative fuel vehicle its lineup. But the new Insight joins a select group of hybrids that don’t look like science experiments.
Nothing’s better for a carmaker selling a hybrid than a compliment from an onlooker who didn’t know the vehicle was a hybrid. It’s another Insight strength. It’s far more attractive than either of its predecessors.
Available in LX, EX and Touring trims, the Insight is powered by a hybrid powertrain composed of a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. It provides power to an electric motor that drives the front wheels. Combined, there’s 151 horsepower, with a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery located under the rear seats.
Like all Hondas, the Insight has a strong standard features list, even the base LX. Automatic LED headlights, heated mirrors, keyless ignition, automatic climate control, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, a multi-angle rearview camera comprise worthy selection. A 5-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system with a USB port and Pandora internet streaming radio are also included.
Standard advanced safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams, a traffic sign reader, and a driver attention monitor.
Keyless entry, a rear-seat center armrest, 60/40-split folding rear seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, HondaLink smartphone integration, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration are upgrades on the EX trim. The upgrade also includes an additional USB port, eight-speaker audio system with satellite and HD radio and blind-spot camera system.
The reviewed Touring trim adds plenty: LED foglights, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats and an auto-dimming rearview. Plus, there’s a universal garage door opener, a navigation system, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
The Insight’s driving characteristics are classic Honda. It has a tight turning radius and a confident feel on the road. Braking is solid with no hesitation or mushy feeling like you’re pushing the pedal through the floorboard. Acceleration is satisfactory, and the Insight only has difficulty on steep inclines when the engine noticeably struggles and does so loudly.
When the Insight was introduced, Honda touted fuel efficiency in city driving as more than 60 miles per gallon. The EPA calculations have been amended through the years, with 2019 rating posted as 51 miles per gallon in city driving and 45 miles per gallon on the highway. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $28,090.
Nearly 20 years after Honda debuted its hybrid lineup, it’s still trying to deflate the success of Toyota’s family of alternative fuel vehicles. The new Insight may or may not emerge as a serious challenger. But there’s plenty to say for healthy competition.
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What We Like
- Genuinely attractive sedan styling — no longer a hybrid oddity
- 151-hp system provides adequate acceleration for daily driving
- Honda Sensing safety suite standard across all three trims
- Touring trim adds leather, sunroof, 10-speaker audio, and navigation
- Active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and multi-angle rearview camera standard on base LX
What We Don’t
- Engine struggles audibly on steep inclines
- Fuel economy trails Prius and Hyundai Ioniq by 3-6 mpg combined
- 51/45 mpg lower than original Insight marketing claims
- Rear-seat space compromised for taller adults
- Toyota Prius still dominates mindshare in the hybrid sedan segment
Facts & Figures: 2019 Honda Insight
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4-cylinder + Electric Motor |
| Horsepower | 151 (total system) |
| Transmission | e-CVT |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 51 city / 45 hwy / 48 combined mpg |
| Battery | 1.1 kWh lithium-ion |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (Touring) | $28,090 |
How It Compares
| Vehicle | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Prius | $23,770 |
| 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid | $23,200 |
| 2019 Kia Niro | $23,490 |
| 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid | $28,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Honda Insight?
EPA ratings are 51 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 48 mpg combined on regular gasoline. Those numbers trail the Prius and Hyundai Ioniq by a few mpg but remain competitive in the hybrid sedan segment.
How much does the 2019 Honda Insight cost?
The top-line Touring trim carries a $28,090 MSRP, near the 2019 U.S. new-car average. Base LX and mid-level EX trims are priced below that.
What powertrain does the 2019 Honda Insight use?
A 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine pairs with an electric drive motor producing a combined 151 horsepower. A 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack sits beneath the rear seats.
What trims does the 2019 Honda Insight come in?
The 2019 Insight is offered in three trims: LX, EX, and Touring. The top Touring adds LED foglights, sunroof, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, and 10-speaker premium audio.
What safety features come on the 2019 Honda Insight?
Honda Sensing is standard across all trims and includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, a traffic sign reader, and a driver attention monitor.
How does the 2019 Honda Insight compare to the Toyota Prius?
The Insight looks more like a conventional sedan than the Prius, but the Prius still offers 3-4 mpg better combined fuel economy. Both share comparable pricing, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, though the Prius has newly available all-wheel drive for 2020.
Article Last Updated: April 16, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.