Introduction

The 2021 Honda Insight is a five-seat hybrid sedan based on the latest Civic. Its cabin is spacious and uncluttered, while reflecting the under-$30,000 price. 

For 2021, the 52-mpg Insight offers new safety features on some trims. 

It's powered by a 1.5-liter inline-4 gas engine that makes 107 horsepower and drives a generator that produces power for the hybrid battery pack, and 129-hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. The combined output reaches 151 horsepower. 

The cabin is comfortable for four adults and can carry up to five, while the trunk is generous for a compact sedan with 15.1 cubic feet of space. 

It's as safe as it is fuel-efficient, earning five stars in every test by the NHTSA, and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Every Insight gets automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and traffic sign recognition. For 2021, the EX and Touring models add blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts. 

The EPA rates gas mileage at 55 mpg city, 49 highway, 52 combined. The top Touring model, with its larger 17-inch wheels, gets 51/45/48 mpg. 

The IIHS rated the Insight's automatic emergency braking system as 'Superior'? at avoiding forward crashes at 12 and 25 mph. 

Lineup

The Insight comes as LX, EX and Touring. The LX costs $23,885 including destination, and comes with cloth upholstery, 16-inch wheels, one USB port, a 5.0-inch display for infotainment, Bluetooth connectivity, and active safety features. It lacks a split-folding back seat and pockets on the front seat backs, but what is missed more is a touchscreen with smartphone software. 

The $25,765 Insight EX adds the 60/40 rear seat and 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software, as well as blind-spot monitors, and two USB charging ports. 

The Insight Touring costs $29,765 and includes a moonroof, navigation, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate controls, and 17-inch wheels. 

Walkaround

The Insight takes the proportions and roofline of the Civic, and combines that with the broader and more mature front end from the Accord. The result is handsome. Its elegant wheel arches make it look best in profile. 

Interior

The cabin is spacious, and the overall aesthetic is pleasant. A low, wide dash brings a touch of style as it moves from its edges toward the middle in a wide 'V'? shape. 

The front seats are supportive and comfortable, although they're mounted a bit low. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel adjusts to long or short arms and legs. 

There is more than 37 inches of leg room in the rear, enough for 6-footers, although the seat bottoms are thin, and three passengers in the rear is pushing it. 

The 15.1 cubic-foot trunk is as big as that in mid-size sedans. Honda has done an excellent job of packaging, as the battery pack not only doesn't take up any trunk space, but it doesn't restrict the fold-down rear seat in the EX and Touring models. 

Driving Impression

The acceleration is lackluster, but when you're getting 52 miles per gallon you're fine with a 0-60 mph time of about 9 seconds. 

The small 1.5-liter inline-4 makes 107 horsepower, while the electric motor makes 129 hp, for a combined total of 151 hp. 

The mechanics of the hybrid setup on the Insight are different from other hybrids. Most of the time, the Insight is driven only by the electric motor, as the engine is used primarily to power the batteries. There isn't a direct relationship between engine speed and wheel speed. This can result in hurried noises from under the hood at slow speeds. The engine can drive the front wheels in some situations, although Honda says that's not very often. 

The Insight's four-wheel independent suspension absorbs road imperfections well, and it steers easily. 

Summary

The 2021 Honda Insight offers a whole lot for its base price: fantastic gas mileage, safety, and space, with good looks thrown in. It's easily one of the best, if not the very best, values in basic transportation on the market. 

 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.