2019 Honda Insight Review

Name: 2019 Honda Insight
Brand: Honda
Price: 21998 USD

(108)

Honda Insight Touring Sedan Exterior Shown

8.1/10 Expert Rating

+221

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List Price Range:	$21,998 - $33,998

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

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

Cons

Engine sounds coarse under hard acceleration

What's new

All-new for 2019
Unlike past hatchback-like models, this is a sedan
First year of the third-generation Insight introduced for 2019

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Honda Insight EX 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 $3.43 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$82/mo

Insight EX

$196/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.1 / 10

The new 2019 Insight sets itself apart from other dedicated hybrids with its conventional style and driving characteristics. This approach — along with its excellent fuel economy, long list of safety features and reasonable pricing — makes the Insight worth your attention.

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.

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.

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.

Build Your 2022 Insight

At a Glance:

6 Colors
2 Trims
$25,760starting MSRP

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Consumer reviews

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

5 (58%)

4 (22%)

3 (11%)

2 (5%)

1 (4%)

4.3

108 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Aesthetically Insightful

Michael A.,08/30/2018

2019 Honda Insight EX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Purchased a 2019 Insight EX in July 2018 and have generally had a really productive, worthwhile time with it. Currently - September 2019 - I am doing fairly well in the mpg game compared with other Insight owners on fuelly.com. Am averaging around 55 mpg since July 2018 and that consists mostly of conservative driving with an approximate driving ratio of 70% highway, 30% city. … Average highway speed anywhere between 55-65 mph. I would highly, highly recommend that all Insight test-drivers conduct his/ her test drive using a particular method. As you may have seen in reviews over the past year, one of the biggest negatives of this car is the noise it makes under high acceleration and/or steep hills - especially in SPORT mode. Make an effort to conduct your test drive using at least one of the following two methods: (1) using SPORT mode and higher than normal acceleration from a stop on a level road; and/ or (2) using normal or SPORT mode on a relatively steep hill. If the noise and acceleration is acceptable to you, then you presumably have gotten past one of the biggest downsides of this model. PROS: 1) Looks are well above and beyond Civic and Accord (to me). Fantastic tail end design, while front end is bold, kinda menacing in a way and yet similar to Accord. 2) Overall interior design/ ergonomics/ space. 3) Has a gas cap (please GOOGLE the big issues/ problems concerning 2016-2017 Honda Civic capless gas tanks). 4) New transmission control/ operation was easy to get used to after decades of the traditional automatic transmission stick. 5) Sport mode has allowed me to enjoy solid acceleration on highway entrance ramps and coming out of toll booth lanes. However, please note that 0-30 mph acceleration is much, much better than 30-60 mph. At 25-30 mph, car loses much of its punch. 6) On local/ suburban roads with low mph and little need for acceleration, car is very quiet. 7) Ride quality is solid. 8) OEM tires (Michelin Energy Saver - Insight EX) on the Insight are considerably better than stock tires for most compact vehicles even if they aren't great for sporty cornering. 9) LED headlights and taillights (for the most part). 10) Auto lock car by touching drivers door handle in that particular space. 11) Love the acoustic harmonic music that resonates when starting and initially accelerating in vehicle (used to warn pedestrians about an otherwise quiet vehicle). CONS: 1) As mentioned at the top of my review, the noise on steep inclines, hard acceleration and in SPORT mode is really high! I am willing to live with it, but this could definitely be a dealbreaker for many auto buyers out there. 2) Front seat comfort in my EX version was not good on test drive. Purchased two separate VERY high-end ergonomic wedge cushions from a high-end furniture company in Canada ($350-$400 total) to completely compensate for uncomfortable seating and lumbar. Seating is now good purely on that basis. Front passenger seat height is inexplicably low. 3) Rear visibility seems considerably inferior to Accord and Subaru Impreza (the latter of which I drove for past six years). I know it is similar to Civic but still looks a bit cramped/ tight. 4) Scratches have mysteriously developed on car body and headlights -- also, original paint job doesn't seem like it will hold up well for over a decade or more. Now could this be applicable to many Honda vehicles and not necessarily the Insight? Nonetheless, I did not see this problem so early when I had purchased/ leased three previous vehicles: (1) 1997 Honda Civic; (2) 2012 Subaru Impreza; and (3) 2015 Impreza. 5) Why can't the Insight have cupholders - like the Accord - that have the flexible ends (which are more stable and allow for many more cup size differences)? On the other hand, I do particularly like the one huge cupholder inside armrest. 6) Why can't I have the Prius option of regen paddles that PERMANENTLY allow me to set brake regen levels - rather than temporary (for a few seconds)? Given a choice, I would definitely use maximum regen most often. I don't like the idea that I have to hit the paddles many times during each/ multiple drives in order to save cumulative bits of energy at a time. 7) Car did not come with spare tire and it is a bit of an ordeal along with needless expense to have to custom order spare tire with related accessories.

Really enjoying the car

Albert Wiersch,08/05/2018

2019 Honda Insight 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

2019 Honda Insight 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

2019 Honda Insight 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, …

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Features & Specs

Trim

Base MSRP: $22,930

MPG & Fuel: 55 City / 49 Hwy / 52 Combined; Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.6 gal. capacity

Seating: 5 seats

Drivetrain: Type: front wheel drive; Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic

Engine: Inline 4 cylinder; Horsepower: 151 hp @ 6000 rpm

Basic Warranty: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Dimensions: Length: 183.6 in. / Height: 55.5 in.; Overall Width without Mirrors: 71.6 in.; Curb Weight: 2987 lbs.; Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 15.1 cu.ft.

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.

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

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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 EX is priced between $21,998 and$29,998 with odometer readings between 13206 and93652 miles.
The Used 2019 Honda Insight Touring is priced between $26,990 and$33,998 with odometer readings between 16279 and77446 miles.
The Used 2019 Honda Insight LX is priced between $25,990 and$28,990 with odometer readings between 11922 and47519 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 58 used and CPO 2019 Insights listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $21,998 and mileage as low as 11922 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.

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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.

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2019 Honda Insight Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Honda Insight EX 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 $3.43 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

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

Which Insight does Edmunds recommend?

2019 Honda Insight models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Features & Specs

Safety

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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?

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Honda Insight EX 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 $3.43 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}