2021 Honda Insight Review

Name: 2021 Honda Insight Review
Brand: Honda
Price: 18229 USD

Honda Insight Touring Sedan Exterior Shown

+209

The Honda Insight is a sensible small hybrid with excellent fuel economy. Beyond that, it's generally nice to drive and a pleasant place to spend time. It combines comfort and practicality with a refined interior and easy-to-use tech, making it a powerful hybrid contender, even if it underperforms by a few mpg against top competitors.

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2021 Honda Insight Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

High fuel economy figures
Quick acceleration for a hybrid
Refined and roomy interior

Cons

Gas engine sounds coarse at times

What's new

Blind-spot alert with cross-traffic monitor now standard on EX and Touring trims
Part of the third Insight generation introduced for 2019

Overview

If you'd like the fuel efficiency of something like the Toyota Prius but with more traditional styling, the 2021 Honda Insight could be an ideal alternative. Sized between Honda's Civic sedan and the larger Accord, the Insight has a standard hybrid powertrain that gets an EPA-estimated 52 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's right up there with the most efficient hybrids on the market. The Insight is roomy and enjoyable to drive, too, so you're not really giving up anything to go the hybrid route.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda Insight LX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$80/mo

$176/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

We like the Insight a lot, and you can check out our full evaluation by reading our Expert Rating below. But there are more hybrids out than ever before, so it can be worth your time to shop around a little. Of course, there's the Prius, and Toyota also offers the Corolla Hybrid, which is essentially a Corolla but with Prius innards. You might also research the new Hyundai Elantra Hybrid or even Honda's larger Accord Hybrid or CR-V Hybrid.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Insight drive? The Insight leans more toward sobriety than spirit, but it's livelier and more refined than a Prius. The electric motor feels torquey around town and makes for seamless and responsive acceleration. It's not fast, but at 8.1 seconds to cover 0-60 mph, it's quick among hybrids. The steering is precise, and the Insight is tidy around corners and willing to change directions.

Our test Insight stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet, which is decent for the class. The braking is predictable and easy to modulate, but the pedal feels a bit disconnected during hard braking. We were also bothered that, in normal driving mode, the adjustable regenerative braking system kept resetting itself.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Insight? Honda has gotten most of the fundamentals right. The seats are comfortable, with medium-firm foam and enough contouring to provide support over long drives, although some drivers may miss adjustable lumbar. There's some bounciness when driving over humps in the road, but single-wheel impacts and smaller road textures are snubbed deftly.

The climate system has big and clearly marked physical controls, and the vents provide good coverage. The main downside is noise. The gas engine can idle loudly and create vibrations when the battery needs charging, and it makes more noise at freeway speeds than some competitors. Wind noise is well-suppressed, but there's also noticeable road noise at speed.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? Larger on the inside than the exterior suggests, this cabin typifies Honda's mastery of space utilization. There's plenty of headroom and elbow room for front passengers. Drivers of various proportions should be able to find an agreeable seating position, although we wish there was a hair more range on the telescoping steering wheel. In the back, headroom is snug for taller adults, but there's good toe room.

The Insight is functional and well-designed, with obvious and well-labeled controls. Using the transmission selector buttons is a bit more distracting than moving a traditional gear lever, but you'll get used to them. Visibility is good out of the front, though the wide rear roof pillars and tall rear deck create some rear blind spots.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? Honda's infotainment screen is quick, sharp and easy to use. The physical shortcut buttons on the screen's left side are also useful. It makes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (standard on EX trim and up) less of a priority, though Honda's integration with both is excellent.

Honda's advanced driver aids continue to lag the competition, as they're rather conservatively tuned. The brake alert comes up a bit too readily in routine city driving, but it's not as intrusive during the initial warning phase as some other systems. The adaptive cruise system is OK, but other systems are more natural in their operation.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Insight isn't quite as cargo-friendly as the Prius, but it's still quite useful. The reasonably deep cargo hold has about 15 cubic feet of capacity, and the 60/40-split rear bench can be folded down via levers in the trunk. The hybrid batteries are situated under the back seat and do not impede on cargo volume.

A well-thought-out center console is the centerpiece of the in-cabin storage. The space is deep and provides outstanding volume. You also get a removable and sliding insert and divider system. A handy rubberized pad on the console is ideal for a phone. For child duty, the Insight has car seat anchors in the back that are easy to access under fabric fastener flaps, and there's ample space for car seats.

Fuel Economy

9.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Insight gets 48 to 52 mpg in combined driving. That's among the highest fuel economy of any car you can buy. Encouragingly, we observed 50.5 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, indicating the EPA's numbers are applicable for real-world driving.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Insight a good value? The Insight is a sensible and well-built sedan that punches above its price point. The well-screwed-together cabin has a pleasing design and plenty of soft touchpoints at every trim level. This is typical Honda cabin construction, which is no bad thing. It's also a great value, and it feels and drives like a more expensive vehicle.

Warranty coverage is on par with Toyota, but it significantly trails Hyundai and Kia. While the Insight shouldn't be an expensive car to own or operate, some competitors offer perks such as free maintenance that aren't standard-issue for Honda.

Wildcard

8.0/10

The execution of the Insight is a subtle but significant step forward for inexpensive hybrids. It has shown the genre evolving beyond the nerdy awkwardness of adolescence and into a more confident phase. It doesn't need to broadcast its green cred, and that's a breath of fresh air. This car exudes a level of sophistication that surpasses its price point.

Which Insight does Edmunds recommend?

We prefer the middle ground and think the Insight EX is the best value for money. There's standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and, for 2021, standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

2021 Honda Insight models

The 2021 Honda Insight is a small hybrid sedan that comes in three trim levels: LX, EX and Touring. All are driven by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that primarily acts as a generator to supply power to an electric motor that drives the front wheels. Combined system output is 151 horsepower. Options are limited to various appearance packages that are available across all three trim levels. Highlighted standard features include:

LX
Starts you off with:

16-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Push-button start
5-inch infotainment touchscreen
Single USB port
Six-speaker audio system

Honda Sensing
A suite of advanced driver aids standard on all Insights, which includes:

Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Honda and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Insight back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

EX
Adds some upgrades and nice-to-have features, such as:

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Proximity keyless entry
8-inch infotainment touchscreen
Eight-speaker audio system
More powerful, 2.5-Amp USB charging ports
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

Touring
The top of the line trim adds:

17-inch alloy wheels
LED fog lights
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Sunroof
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Dual-zone climate control
Integrated navigation system
Wi-Fi hotspot capability
10-speaker premium audio system

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#5 out of 6 among Alternative Fuel Vehicles

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Honda Insight from 2008-2022.}

$319/yr

vs. $377/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.76x/yr

vs. 0.52x/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

9.1%

vs. 8.3%
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Honda Insight.

5 (77%)

4 (11%)

3 (4%)

2 (6%)

1 (2%)

4.6

43 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 43 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Sports mode vs economy mode

Rick in Seattle , 02/04/2020

2020 Honda Insight LX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I have owned the new Insight for a year now and I think I understand how the sports mode can help reduce the occasional high revs that occur in the engine when the electric battery pack is low. The sports mode keeps the battery pack at least half full to full so your car has the power to handle passing, and smoothly get up steep hills and mountains. In the economy mode the battery is …

Truly a super value hybrid

Socali, 01/11/2020

2020 Honda Insight EX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

2020 Insight EX has given me amazing mpg, especially in traffic. Value also comes from the technology, and it looks fabulous. I trust Hondas build quality, and for the price you get more than you would expect, but dont expect a luxury ride, just a better ride than a Prius, and looks way betterr than a Prius, in my opinion. Putting it into Sport mode, I find its surprisingly peppy and …

Commuter's Dream

Kim H, 11/02/2019

2020 Honda Insight Touring 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I have owned Hondas exclusively for the last 13 years. I have loved them all. I bought this somewhat on a whim because I drive over mountains 80 miles round trip daily and my 2005 CRV-SE is getting old and is thirsty. The MPG was the biggest influence in my choice but the aesthetic over the Prius was the big bonus. I bought the Touring Edition and my favorite feature is ELECTRIC SEATS! …

The Insider

The ultimate driver, 12/13/2019

2020 Honda Insight EX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Had the car over a year. Really nice car. It is quiet and rides like a compact luxury car. It is solid and fast. Have no problems getting up to speed especially in sport mode. So far, I am getting about 47 miles per gallon in mixed driving not bad for an aggressive driver. When the gas engine kicks in it is noticeable. It is really not that bad when you get use to it. I think that …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Honda Insight, so we've included reviews for other years of the Insight since its last redesign.

See all 43 reviews of the Honda Insight

Write a vehicle review

2021 Insight Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$22,930
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	52 MPG
Cost to Drive	$80/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Insight models:

Collision Mitigation Braking System: Warns if a front collision is imminent and automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time.
Lane Keeping Assist: Warns if your vehicle is drifting out of its lane and corrects steering back to center if the driver doesn't respond.
Honda LaneWatch: Projects a view of the side blind spot when the turn signal is activated to show you if a vehicle or other object is present.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.3%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Honda Insight Review

2021 Honda Insight Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda Insight LX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Insight does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Honda Insight models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Sports mode vs economy mode

Truly a super value hybrid

Commuter's Dream

The Insider

2021 Insight Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda Insight LX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}