2019 Honda Insight Sedan Consumer Reviews
Aesthetically Insightful
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.
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Really enjoying the car
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 is very wide angle and you can see vehicles coming from relatively far away), and proper blind spot monitoring (although I'm getting use to the LaneWatch camera system and I've purchased circular blind spot mirrors for both side-view mirrors). The one thing I do miss most about my previous car, a Honda Fit, was the hatchback and how practical it was. The practicality of the Honda Fit and its hatch made going to Costco and loading my car up pretty easy. The Insight is more work and hassle when it comes to loading and unloading large "cargo" but driving the Insight to and from Costco is definitely more pleasant and "upscale". Now with my quibbles out of the way, I think the fuel economy is excellent. In hotter weather I've noticed that using the AC will probably take 5 to 10 MPG off your gas mileage though. And pretty much everything else (other than what I mentioned above) is very good to great. Ride quality is very good and, for the most part is relatively quiet, especially when the gas engine is not running. When pushing it though, the gas engine can get loud. Acceleration is good. It's not bad and not great, but good... and the reviews say much better than a Prius. I really love how fast, responsive, and smooth the Insight is from a stop. Speaking of stops, I also really like the brake hold feature that will hold the brake for you when you come to a stop. To go again just press the accelerator. I also like that there is no transmission in the car. It has an "E-CVT" which I think is like a simulated transmission. At speeds of around 45 MPH and higher the gas engine can directly power the wheels and a little gear will appear in the power flow screen... otherwise the gas engine is mainly there to generate electricity for the electric motor and to charge the small lithium ion battery pack that's under the rear seat (so it doesn't take up trunk space). So I totally agree with the notion that the Insight is a great compact sedan that just happens to be a hybrid. I would not recommend the LX (lowest) trim because for a little more money you can upgrade to the middle trim (EX) and get some serious upgrades (much better Infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, remote start, walk-away door locks, and more). The highest trim (Touring) is significantly more money and you lose some fuel economy so consider if those added "luxury" features like leather are really worth it to you. Finally, it looks so much better than the Prius.
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Wonderful driving experience, and it looks good to
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 about 65mpg and the trip there. The engine noise when going up a hill was disturbing at first, but I'm either getting used to it or it's getting better with more miles on the car. I have been pleasantly surprised with the acceleration when entering the freeway, the Insight moves briskly when it needs to. One complaint is the Lane Assist technology - on several occasion when trying to change lanes, the car will suddenly brake, and there are no cars or other obstacles in front of me - scary, I have been canceling Lane Assist and ACC when I know that I might need to exit the freeway or change lanes in order to avoid the unexpected, and unwarranted braking.
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Like a hybrid Civic, only better
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, well it is not insane like the Tesla, but the response is immediate. I did a 0-=60 and got around 8 seconds. That's respectable enough for me. The only downside is the various engine sounds that they designed into it. I think that is unnecessary and it loses half a star for that. While the pros don't like the lanewatch, I prefer it to beeps of the BSM system. I'm a big boy, I can determine with my eyes whether it is safe to change lanes. I would like it on the left side, but it is not as "blind" on that side admittedly.I am always getting over 50 MPG which saves me $30+/month. Edited...in winter getting 48mpg. I think the heater drains the battery. Also warming up on cold days in NY hits the mpg. I like the sedan because when I was growing up, that's all there was, Plus they still are more efficient. The few times I carry stuff in the trunk, I feel it is safer than in the hatchback.anyway, I am very happy with this car. We will see how it holds up and I'll update if anything changes.
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Confuse Friends and Family, "That's a Hybrid"??
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. The exterior of the car is gorgeous. I personally think it looks like a smaller version of the 2018 Honda Accord but a bit more subtle (a good thing, IMO). Once I hopped in the car (EX Model) I was impressed once again. The build quality and attention to detail through the cabin is great. I felt as if I was in a vehicle that cost $10,000 more. The infotainment system on the EX model (and touring) versus the smaller and less useful 5 inch screen on the LX is definitely worth it. Just skip the LX and get the EX. I do not think the extra benefits of the Touring model are justified with the higher price and the lower fuel economy (just my opinion). With that being said, all models come with Honda Sensing tech. which is also amazing. I have never felt safer driving a car on the highway (once you get used to the lane keep assist almost taking control). The adaptive cruise control is also a thing of beauty. Acceleration can be a bit sluggish when in ECON mode but in Normal or Sport Mode I have no problems. Was pleasantly surprised when merging on the highway or passing. Overall, I am very happy with my purcahse and do not regret it one bit. My first tank avg. was just below 45mpg. This will definitely improve now that I am more familiar with ECON mode and using adaptive braking to the fullest extent. Good job Honda!
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Looks like an awesome car, overall
Bought this 2019 hybrid, EX Trim. On the very next day, drove 600 miles on the highway. Being a hot day, AC was on a blast and the fuel economy was at 45 mpg with cruising speeds of 70 mph. Technology, lane assist warning (it wakes you up by jolting the steering wheel which is good), warning the driver to apply brakes when you are very close to the vehicle ahead - very useful and true companion for the driver. The only discomfort I felt was at high speeds - say 70 +, there is some kind of a big sound - not booming but clearly audible. Maybe because this is a no transmission type as Honda claims but if that high speed is smooth, it would be better. Having used a Honda Civic EX for 10 + yrs and also having used Honda CRV and Toyota Camry, I felt Insight is compact like a Civic but rich in features like an Accord. City drive is silent as battery is so smooth. Highway also was comfy. With no spare tire, better to take the Honda road side assistance and the tire package.
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Saving Gas
The car is advertised as having mpg of 51 city / 45 highway. For the first few days when I was really conscious of driving fuel efficiently, I surprisingly got up to 60.1 mpg. However, I got too impatient of accelerating too slowly, so I ended up driving "more recklessly" and getting an average of 52.8 mpg. This is my average after driving 402 miles in the 1st week I've driven this car, which is really good knowing that more than 90% of the miles came from highway driving. My tip in getting the best gas mileage is to avoid accelerating too fast, that was what lowered my mpg the fastest. One thing that I want to tell people is that with this car, going uphill really drains that battery. I live in Happy Valley, OR which obviously (in its name) consists of a lot of uphill inclines to get to my house. And I've noticed that once the battery meter goes down to 3 tick marks or less, the motor starts making a lot of noise (I'm assuming that it throws away its noise-canceling aspect in return for the battery to last a bit longer). However, this doesn't seem like much of a problem because once you go down that hill, the battery is charged again. So I don't see it as much of a problem, just a friendly advice for people who live in really hilly neighborhoods my neighborhood is mostly averages like 40-degree inclines and 45-degrees at most, so its a bit on the extreme side). Overall, the engine is extremely quiet. I love this car.
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Soooo happy I chose this car!
Great car!!! Drives like a dream, very smooth!! Acceleration takes some getting used to, but it really only sounds/feels a little different until you get used to it. There’s more than enough pickup for wheeling and dealing as needed. Gas mileage is everything they say it is. If you’re going to spend the money at least get the EX for the 1600 more, it’s worth it for the interactive screen alone. My only very very small grievance, they should have power seats in the EX. Also, I’m a pretty average size woman—5 foot 5 and 140 lbs, I feel comfortable enough but I wouldn’t call the front roomy. My husband is 6 foot 2 200 lbs and he wishes the seat would go back further. All in all, I’m struggling to find anything truly negative about this car. I’d buy it all over again—3 weeks and I’m in love!!!
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12 MONTHS OF THE 2019 HONDA INSIGHT TOURING
UPDATE: With 12 months and 9,000 miles, I still like the car. GAS MILEAGE is not even close to what I was expecting. At 70 mph I may get 40-42 mpg. At 45 mph I get 50 mpg. I think the issue is one that Honda can fix with a computer update. It appears the EV mode doesn't kick in fast enough to get those extra MPG like the Prius does but that comes from experience with the engine. Gas mileage is "fickle" because first the engine has to warm up before the EV mode available then the computer decides between charging "UP" the battery or putting the energy into better gas mileage. I owned a Toyota Prius Touring Edition and loved it. It has been a few years since I have purchased a Hybrid and looked at the 2018 Prius and new 2019 Honda Insight. Both cars I looked at did not come with a spare tire but I insisted and got one. I selected the Insight first because it was a 2019 model and price was good. Prius had a few better "features" but the Insight seemed like the car of choice. It drives very nice, very comfortable, mostly quiet and it is a "state of the art" updated Hybrid. It takes time to learn all the buttons and how to "personalize" everything but all in all, I think it will be a great car.
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Honda Insight EX
This vehicle is a great buy, but it needs an additional 12v adapter as it only has one, and it only includes 2 USB ports. The cloth seats do soil easily, but the marks come off easily. You would have to be careful when driving as the nose of the car does scrape if you do not take caution with bumps/ramps (entries into parking lots/businesses) on the road. Also be weary of the cement parking blocks. Other than that, the vehicle does get great gas mileage, takes bumps well, and steers/handles easily. Would recommend to those who do a lot of city driving.
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