2020 Insight - Review

The Insight name has been stamped onto a few different Honda models in the past, but now it is reserved for the new compact hybrid sedan. This new Insight was introduced for 2019 based on the same platform as the incredibly popular Civic sedan but the Insight features its own unique looks inside and out. Due to this, many would think of the Insight as its own model line, unrelated to the rest of the Honda range, yet, there are a lot of the powertrain components shared with the larger Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and the Accord Hybrid. The Insight has a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine and an electric motor engine feeding electricity to the battery pack and sending power to the front wheels. The combined output from the engine and the electric motor totals 151 horsepower and 296 lb/ft of torque.

As a hybrid, the Insight will bring a limited amount of pure electric driving. The Insight makes it clear when the battery pack has enough to sustain electric driving and the driver can hit the EV Mode button beside the push-button selector to force the car to stay in electric as long as possible. The Insight always knows best though and will alter back and forth between gasoline and electric drive for whatever the situation dictates. As with many hybrids, the Insight uses a regenerative braking system that can recharge the battery. Using the paddles behind the steering wheel, the driver can alter the intensity of the regenerative brakes to make the regeneration more aggressive. Outside of the hybrid drivetrain and characteristics, the Insight is an excellent car to sit in and drive. The steering is well managed, the visibility is brilliant and the suspension is balanced enough to comfort the occupants yet feel like the car is buttoned-down to the road.

The Insight is split between two trims levels, the standard Hybrid, and the Touring model. The standard car comes with HondaSensing suite of safety tech like the Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Forward Collision Warning. Other comfort features include the latest version of Honda's touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and a screen beside the speedo to display the Insight's Power Flow and other screens with relevant information. The interior is spacious with a clever storage system in the centre console that stacks multiple layers on top of each other. Again, the interior does have a slight resemblance to the Civic but with a different layout and screen, the Insight has its own identity.

Discover more about the Honda Insight Hybrid and the other hybridized vehicles in the Honda lineup today at Heritage Honda!