The Insight is a tiny automobile that is smaller than a lot of hybrids in its class, like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord hybrids. However, the Insight is a stylish, frugal hybrid that’s worth a look.
In This Article...
Is the Honda Insight a hybrid or electric vehicle?
The hybrid powertrain in the Insight is intelligent and extremely sophisticated, achieving a 55 mpg city rating* while offering an enjoyable driving experience no matter the route.
The Insight’s EPA mpg rating of 55 city/49 highway/52 combination makes excursions to the gas station seem infrequent.
Outstanding horsepower and torque are produced by the 1.5-liter, Atkinson-cycle, 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for spectacular performance.
High-voltage batteries are vital parts of the vehicle’s powertrain that are crucial to its operation. Because of this, the high-voltage batteries in the Honda hybrid are built for long-term operation and have an 8-year limited warranty.
You may switch between Sport mode for an improved driving experience and ECON mode for improved fuel efficiency* with the push of a button.
You have complete control over regenerative braking, a technology that enables you to return energy to the battery, thanks to the deceleration selectors positioned on the steering wheel.
We designed the Insight’s grille and engine to minimize wind loss, and its front bumper to minimize wake, all in an effort to maximize aerodynamic efficiency.
We used a flat underfloor design and wake-reducing strakes to streamline airflow underneath the automobile.
The surface of the trunk was created to be as aerodynamically efficient as possible, and the light design prevents airflow from entering the back of the car.
Honda Insight cars are they hybrids?
Honda produces and sells the hybrid electric car known as the Honda Insight (, Honda Insaito). Its second generation was a four-door, five-passenger liftback, while its first generation was a two-door, two-passenger liftback (1999–2006)[3][4]. (20092014). It evolved into a four-door sedan in its third iteration (2019present). For the duration of its manufacturing run, it was the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicle available in the United States without plug-in capabilities and Honda’s first model to use an Integrated Motor Assist technology.
Honda debuted the second-generation Insight on February 24, 2009, in Japan, and on March 24, 2009, in the US.
[5] The Insight was the most affordable hybrid that was offered in the US. [6]
For the 2011 model year, Honda unveiled a less priced base model in December 2010. The Insight was introduced in the UK in April 2009 as the cheapest hybrid on the market, and it quickly rose to the top spot in hybrid sales for the month. [7] [8]
A first for a hybrid model, the Insight was the best-selling car in Japan for the month of April 2009.
[9] The second-generation Insight sold 143,015 units globally in the first year after being on sale in the Japanese market. [10] Along with the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle and the Honda Fit EV electric vehicle, Honda announced in July 2014 that they would cease production of the Insight for the 2015 model year. [11]
The third-generation Honda Insight prototype, based on the tenth-generation Honda Civic sedan, was unveiled by Honda at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. It was a conventional sedan rather than a five-door liftback, in contrast to the previous Insight. Later that year, the third-generation Insight began to be sold.
Honda announced in April 2022 that it would stop making the Insight following the 2022 model year, with production coming to an end in June. It will be swapped out for a new hybrid Civic. [12]
All Honda Insight models are electric.
Because the Honda Insight’s combustion engine and regenerative braking both serve to charge the high-voltage electric batteries. Therefore, it is never necessary or even possible to plug this car in. Not even an electrical cord is present.
Does a Honda Insight require fuel?
To ensure the optimum performance and safety of your vehicle, use the right fuel and refilling technique. It is advised to use unleaded fuel with an octane rating of at least 87. Where available, Honda advises using TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Use only gasoline that is less than 15% ethanol.
Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
- 110 miles per gallon combined**
- Plug-in hybrid with 181 horsepower
- 44 city mpg**
The Honda Insight has the power to maneuver with 30 more horses than the Toyota Prius. 151 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque are produced by a smart powertrain and hybrid technology. It achieves 55 mpg* when driven in cities. Even more people are vying for The Clarity. It has an electric-only range of up to 89 miles**. The combined electric-hybrid powertrain produces 232 lb-ft of torque and 181 horsepower. Wheelspin is produced by two electric motors that control the motion. The battery may really recharge itself while moving. The Clarity obtains 44 mpg city** when using the engine. 110 mpg-equivalent is the EPA estimate. A typical 120-volt outlet will suffice to charge the car overnight. In 2.5 hours, a 240-volt outlet can fully recharge it.
Why isn’t the Honda Insight more well-known?
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “hybrid car”? Most likely, the first vehicle that comes to mind is the Toyota Prius, which now dominates the American hybrid market. The Honda Insight, which debuted a full seven months before the Prius, holds the distinction of being the first hybrid vehicle, even though the Prius entered the U.S. auto market in 1999. Additionally, the Insight has currently been taken off the market in the United States due to declining sales.
Why? The solution has many facets, but one thing is clear: a faltering hybrid market is not to fault. Currently, the Prius is the best-selling vehicle in all of California, according to 2013 sales data, and such a thing is just nonexistent in America. The Insight, on the other hand, is acting quite differently, in part because of…
When the original Insight was introduced in 1999, it had a remarkable combined highway and city fuel economy of 53 mpg. As a result, the EPA selected it as having the best fuel efficiency worldwide. However, further modifications to the model’s design, such as the addition of more seats, reduced the MPG, allowing the Prius to overtake it in terms of sales. The Insight never bounced back, and Honda dealers stated earlier this month that they would no longer be ordering additional Insights for their lots.
Hybrid car batteries are difficult to work with since they don’t perform exactly like those in gas-powered automobiles. However, the Insight’s battery tends to run out rather fast, often in as little as six or eight years, like that of other Honda hybrids like the Civic. The hybrid is first purchased by consumers with the promise of long-term cost savings, but a Honda Insight battery replacement after just six years will inevitably cost them at least $4,000—unless they can locate a third-party supplier, of course.
Honda may struggle to maintain track of all of its hybrid options in addition to hybrid battery issues. The Insight was developed into a sedan that resembles Honda’s other hybrid vehicles, the Civic and the CR-Z, while being first marketed as a subcompact. But now that there are only three options for hybrid sedans available to consumers, which one should they choose? Clearly, most have not selected the Insight. Toyota, in contrast, is the only manufacturer in its class to provide the excellent Prius.
blame battery issues, fuel economy, or corporate indecision
Honda ultimately failed to provide customers with a compelling cause to continue using its Insight model. It’s not necessary to completely give up on Honda if you’re looking for a new hybrid car, but you should do your research to avoid having the same thing happen to your Civic, CR-Z, or another vehicle in the future.
Does the Honda Insight have a hybrid battery?
The Honda Insight can run without the battery with the loss of auto-stop, regenerative braking, and some MPG because its basic component is a 3-cylinder, 67-hp engine. However, the choice above will be made for you depending on when your pack was made. I’ll simply describe my experience and reasoning for clarification.
Does the Honda Insight require an electrical outlet?
How to Charge the 2019 Honda Insight’s Battery The 2019 Honda Insight doesn’t require a plug because of its practical “charge while driving” capability. All of the electric power required to charge is produced by the motor.
How long do batteries in hybrid cars last?
You will save tens of thousands of dollars annually on fuel thanks to a hybrid battery. Others rush to fill up at the petrol stations. You use the garage outlet to charge your car and go to the gas stations half as often as your neighbor.
However, you will eventually need to pay money to either fix or replace the pricey hybrid battery that has been so helpful to you for thousands of miles.
The majority of hybrid vehicle producers claim that a battery will last 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. However, hybrid owners have reported that some batteries live up to 150,000 miles and even up to 200,000 miles with the proper maintenance and fundamental vehicle repairs.
An owner typically keeps a hybrid vehicle for 5 to 15 years when the battery mileage is high.
How long do the hybrid batteries last on the Honda Insight?
The battery in your Honda hybrid is expected to last 6 to 10 years, or up to 100,000 miles. On Woodinville roads, other Honda hybrid battery options have a marginally longer lifespan of roughly 10 years or even closer to 150,000 miles.
Is buying a hybrid car worthwhile?
Take the difference in purchase price and divide it by the difference in annual fuel cost to determine whether a hybrid is cost-effective. That will tell you how many years of driving it will take to make up for the higher initial cost of a hybrid.
What about Honda Insights?
How Good of a Car Is the Honda Insight? Absolutely, the Honda Insight is a great vehicle. Because of its excellent fusion of quality and affordability, we actually named it as a finalist for our 2021 Best Hybrid and Electric Car for the Money award. Fast acceleration is provided by its hybrid powertrain, and the ride is comfortable.
How far can a Honda Insight travel before running out of gas?
The 2022 Honda Insight is equipped to go the distance with a maximum fuel economy rating of an EPA-estimated 55 city mpg, a fuel tank capacity of 10.6 gallons, and a driving range of up to about 583 city miles.
A Honda Insight can travel how many miles?
If you are looking to purchase a hybrid vehicle, you might be a little concerned about the battery’s lifespan and the unusual components of the powertrain that you are not aware of. And we don’t blame you; after all, hybrid vehicles have only recently become widely available; who knows what the future may bring? However, we would add that you may rest easy knowing that, according to Motors and Wheels, the Honda Insight should last you at least 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers.
A 10-year/150,000-mile battery warranty was also provided by Honda for Insight, so even if you bought an older model, such as the second-generation Insight produced between 2010 and 2014, you can rest easy knowing that the battery will be covered if it needs to be replaced within that time frame. But you may always get a new Honda Insight if you desire the greatest level of tranquility.
What issues are there with Honda Insights?
Low-density impellers are found inside the fuel pumps of the Honda Insight. By using them, the amount of gas that gets to the engine is decreased. Honda has already had to recall two gasoline pumps due to defects. For the Honda Insight, there have already been more than 2 million repairs of faulty gasoline pumps.