2019 Honda Insight Review

Honda Insight Touring Sedan Exterior Shown

+221

Used Insight for sale

List Price Range:	$18,000 - $28,990

Check out current offers on the Honda Insight

VIEW OFFERS

ShopHonda.com

Honda Insight model years

Honda Insight for Sale

Get More For Your Trade-In

2019 Honda Insight appraisal values can range from $16,261 - $19,996.

Find out what your car is really worth in minutes.

See your car's value

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

High fuel-economy figures
Quick acceleration for a hybrid
Styled like a conventional sedan
Refined and roomy interior

ConsWhat's new

Overall rating

8.1 / 10

When you think of hybrids, more likely than not you're probably picturing a Toyota Prius. It's become the most popular in its class, but it wasn't the first. The original Honda Insight beat it to market by a few months, but it never managed to compete on an even playing field. The second-generation Insight was discontinued in 2014, leaving a distinct gap in Honda's lineup.

The 2019 Honda Insight fills that void, and it does so in an impressive manner. First off, it no longer looks like the last-generation Insight or Prius. It's now a sedan and can easily be mistaken for the new Accord. The new Insight also exorcises some of the odd hybrid driving quirks that irked us before. Now it drives much like a conventional car, with a lot more punch and responsiveness when accelerating from a stop.

This new Insight isn't quite as miserly with fuel as the Hyundai Ioniq, but it's close enough to keep it competitive, as is its long list of standard advanced safety features. Its numerous strengths — which include a spacious cabin, quick acceleration and excellent value for money — lead us to recommend it heartily against any other hybrid on the market.

2019 Honda Insight models

The 2019 Honda Insight is a five-passenger midsize sedan that is available in three trim levels: LX, EX and Touring. All are powered by a hybrid powertrain composed of 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 and 197 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery is located under the rear seats.

The base LX Insight comes standard with automatic LED headlights, heated mirrors, keyless ignition, automatic climate control, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, a multi-angle rearview camera, a 5-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port and Pandora internet streaming radio.

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.

The EX trim adds 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, an additional USB port, and an eight-speaker audio system with satellite and HD radio. The Honda LaneWatch blind-spot camera system is also included.

The top Touring trim rounds out the features list with LED foglights, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, a navigation system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Honda Insight Touring (1.5L 4-cyl. hybrid).

Scorecard

Overall	8.1 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	8.0

Driving

7.5

The Insight drives more like a regular car than a hybrid, which is a compliment. It delivers average acceleration that is aided by a bump of electric assistance when taking off from a stop. It's also a better handler than other affordable hybrids.

Acceleration

7.5

The Insight accelerates responsively and smoothly in most situations. In our testing, it covered 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds, which is quick for a hybrid or fuel-efficient non-hybrid. The Insight only feels tepid when accelerating at highway speeds with a low battery charge.

Braking

7.0

Routine light braking around town is predictable and easy to modulate. But the brake pedal action does begin to feel "springy" during moderately hard braking events and surprise stops. Our test car stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet at our test track, a decent result for a car of this type.

Steering

8.0

The steering is pretty precise and responsive in routine driving. Though feel is lacking somewhat, the weighting is just about right. Sport mode doesn't unnecessarily add steering heft, which is a relief.

Handling

8.0

The Insight drives like a slightly less sporty Honda Civic. It goes around turns in a tidy and composed fashion. Tire grip is also satisfactory. Its character leans more toward sobriety than spirit, but the Insight is certainly more lively than a Prius.

Drivability

7.0

The Insight accelerates smoothly. There isn't a transmission in the traditional sense, but the experience is a lot like driving a car with a continuously variable transmission. Our test car's adjustable regenerative braking system kept resetting itself to a lower setting when we didn't ask for it. That's not an issue in Sport mode, which gives the car quicker reflexes and retains your selected regen level indefinitely.

Comfort

8.0

There's fundamental comfort among the seats and the ride quality, both of which exhibit a well-judged balance between support and compliance. Noise isn't fully banished, owing to the road noise and the constant hum of the engine when accelerating. Still, we wouldn't mind driving it long distances.

Seat comfort

8.5

The seats are comfortable, with medium-firm foam and a nice texture. They are a bit less contoured than Civic Si seats, which suits the Insight's mission. The seats are shaped well but lack lumbar adjustment.

Ride comfort

8.0

Overall, this is a pleasant-riding car of its type. Heaving motions are slightly exaggerated when driving over large bumps, but single wheel impacts and smaller road textures are snubbed deftly. The ride is a little on the busy side, but not offensively so.

Noise & vibration

7.0

There can be significant engine vibration at idle when it needs to charge the battery. Once underway, the engine is smooth. Wind noise is quite well suppressed, and road and engine noise are average at cruising speeds. The engine doesn't drone annoyingly like you'd expect based on its powertrain, but the engine doesn't sound placid either.

Climate control

7.5

There is appealing air flow from the vents and reasonably quiet operation, but the system does not appear to compensate for heat radiation from the sun as well as it should. The large temperature knobs and fan buttons are intuitively located.

Interior

8.5

Larger on the inside than the exterior suggests, the Insight's cabin typifies Honda's mastery of space utilization. It's smart and functionally well-designed, with obvious and well-labeled controls. Plus, it readily accommodates people of various sizes.

Ease of use

9.0

The controls are well-labeled, chunky and accessible. There's no touch-sensitive anything aside from the touchscreen itself. The steering wheel controls are similarly large and well-laid-out. The drive selector is all buttons — common to modern Hondas — which requires more glancing than would a regular lever.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

The doors open quite wide and the front door aperture is generous, thanks to doors that are longer than expected for a compact four-door car. The low door sills and a slim dashboard aid entry. Entry into the back is similarly easy; a bit of ducking is all that's required.

Driving position

8.0

You get plenty of front fore/aft seat range in the Insight. Height adjustment will suit drivers of shorter stature more than tall drivers. Steering wheel reach is a hair below average, but it has adequate up-down rake range. Overall, the Insight accommodates a range of body proportions.

Roominess

8.5

The Insight is a surprisingly large car inside, offering plenty of headroom for taller adults. The front door panels are scalloped generously for more elbow room. Rear headroom is more snug, but there's good toe room even when the front seats are at their lowest.

Visibility

7.5

It's pretty easy to see out the front thanks to reasonably slim windshield pillars. The side mirrors connect to the base of the pillars, which hampers your side view somewhat. Rear visibility is compromised by the wide rear pillars and the tall deck. Unfortunately, that's typical of sedans these days.

Quality

8.0

The cabin construction is typical Honda. The Touring has a smattering of high-end materials, but all Insights have fundamentally solid-appearing surfaces with low gloss. Touch points are soft and gaps are consistent, and no squeaks or rattles were observed.

Utility

8.0

The Insight is a surprisingly useful sedan from a utility standpoint. Its well-thought-out center console is the centerpiece of the in-cabin storage, and the trunk has solid swallowing capacity and a wide opening. The hybrid batteries are situated under the back seat and do not impede on cargo volume.

Small-item storage

8.5

The deep center console is outstanding, with a removable, sliding insert and divider that creates three tiers. A handy rubberized pad on the console is ideal for a phone. The front door pockets are a good size, and the glove box is average capacity. Rear storage is limited to cupholders in a flip-down console and door pockets

Cargo space

8.0

The wide trunk opening reveals a reasonably deep cargo hold, though the gooseneck hinges need clearance when closing. There's more storage under the trunk floor. To folder the 60/40-split rear seats, pull an easily accessible lever in the trunk and then go to the rear door to fold the seat.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

The lower LATCH anchors are very easy to access. Three upper tether anchors are in obvious locations at either outboard seat location. Though it's a small car, the Insight has ample space. It can handle car seats as well as any other car in its class.

Technology

8.0

Honda's new infotainment screen is quick, sharp and easy to use. It represents a big jump forward from the previous-generation system present in some Honda vehicles. It makes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (standard on EX trim and up) less of a priority. Comprehensive device integration choices are offered, too. However, the driver aids, which are rather conservative, continue to lag behind the competition.

Audio & navigation

8.0

This car has Honda's new touchscreen interface, and it's a huge improvement. Beyond now having a volume knob, the screen has fast reactions and a sharp display that supports pinches and swipes. The hard keys on the screen's left side are a nice addition because they require less "glance time."

Smartphone integration

8.5

Bluetooth pairing is straightforward and rapid. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work well, and there are two 2.5-amp USB ports and a 12-volt power outlet up front.

Driver aids

7.5

Honda Sensing is standard, but the brake alert comes up too readily in routine city driving. Still, this car returns fewer false positives than other recent Hondas. The adaptive cruise is average. Hard buttons for the various systems allow you to toggle them quickly and easily.

Voice control

7.0

The voice controls are reasonably responsive and accurate, albeit within the constructs of its menu-driven on-screen prompts. USB-based music and navigation commands are available via voice, but it cannot control Bluetooth audio.

msrp

*Disclaimer

MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $995 destination charge and accessories. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $395 charge for select premium colors. $395 charge applies to 2021 and newer models.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Honda Insight.

5(57%)

4(23%)

3(11%)

2(5%)

1(4%)

4.3

106 reviews

Write a review See all 106 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Really enjoying the car

Albert Wiersch,08/05/2018

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

Overall I think Honda hit it out of the park on this one. Truly a Prius killer if you ask me. I have the EX (middle) trim. However, that's not to say that nothing could be improved as there is always room for improvement... like lumbar support (although I am finding the seats comfortable enough without it), rear cross traffic detection (although one of the modes of the rear view camera

Wonderful driving experience, and it looks good to

Dave,09/28/2018

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

The interior is very quiet, allowing the wonderful stereo to sound awesome. The handling and ride quality are a pleasure. I'm averaging more than 51 mpg over more than 1,400 miles of mixed highway, twisty mountain roads and city driving. When I's stuck in stop and go traffic the MPG get's improves! I have a favorite breakfast place about 20 miles from my home and the Insight is averaging

3 year review update

Bill Burke,07/23/2018

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

Every 2 or 3 years I upgrade my Civic. Anyway, just traded in my 2017 Civic EX for the 2019 Insight EX. I got a good price $23,300 and the car is worth the extra 3K that I paid for the civic ex. It feels like a larger car, rides smoother and a little less sporty, but I'm getting older, so I like to feel the road less. It is my first hybrid and I like driving it. If I put into sport mode,

Confuse Friends and Family, "That's a Hybrid"??

dmccartt88,08/08/2018

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

I spent quite a bit of time researching this vehicle before going on a test drive. So many reviewers kept saying the car does not look like a hybrid and that is what Honda is going for. Well, I agree that the car does not look like a hybrid and really... it does not drive like one either. Once I got to the dealership and test drove the Insight I was in love.

See all 106 reviews of the Used 2019 Honda Insight

Write a review

Features & Specs

See all Used 2019 Honda Insight specs & features

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.

Side Impact Test
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
Good

People who viewed this also viewed

Honda Civic
4 average Rating out of 16 reviews.
Starting at $21,700
See Inventory

Toyota Prius
Starting at $24,525
See Inventory

Honda Accord
4.4468083 average Rating out of 47 reviews.
Starting at $24,770
See Inventory

More about the 2019 Honda Insight

Used 2019 Honda Insight Overview

The Used 2019 Honda Insight is offered in the following submodels: Insight Sedan. Available styles include EX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Touring 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and LX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Pre-owned Honda Insight models are available with a 1.5 L-liter hybrid engine, with output up to 151 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2019 Honda Insight comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic. The Used 2019 Honda Insight comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. powertrain warranty.

What's a good price on a Used 2019 Honda Insight?

Price comparisons for Used 2019 Honda Insight trim styles:

The Used 2019 Honda Insight Touring is priced between $25,990 and$28,990 with odometer readings between 7473 and54046 miles.
The Used 2019 Honda Insight EX is priced between $18,000 and$25,998 with odometer readings between 16973 and102073 miles.
The Used 2019 Honda Insight LX is priced between $22,499 and$22,990 with odometer readings between 22993 and42534 miles.

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Which used 2019 Honda Insights are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2019 Honda Insight for sale near. There are currently 28 used and CPO 2019 Insights listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $18,000 and mileage as low as 7473 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2019 Honda Insight.

Can't find a used 2019 Honda Insights you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a used Honda Insight for sale - 4 great deals out of 6 listings starting at $16,033.

Find a used Honda for sale - 6 great deals out of 15 listings starting at $10,365.

Find a used certified pre-owned Honda Insight for sale - 7 great deals out of 11 listings starting at $23,992.

Find a used certified pre-owned Honda for sale - 1 great deals out of 20 listings starting at $15,745.

Should I lease or buy a 2019 Honda Insight?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

Check out Honda lease specials
Check out Honda Insight lease specials

2019 Honda Insight Review

Get More For Your Trade-In

Which Insight does Edmunds recommend?

Edmunds' Expert Review

Overall rating

2019 Honda Insight models

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Most helpful consumer reviews

Features & Specs

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Used 2019 Honda Insight Overview

What's a good price on a Used 2019 Honda Insight?

Which used 2019 Honda Insights are available in my area?

Can't find a used 2019 Honda Insights you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Should I lease or buy a 2019 Honda Insight?

Related Used 2019 Honda Insight info

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Other models to consider

Research similar vehicles

Recommended

Other models

Join Edmunds