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Is the Honda Insight a good buy?

Author

Sarah Oconnell

Published Mar 14, 2026

Is the Honda Insight a good buy?

The Honda Insight is a good choice among hybrid and electric cars. In addition to some of the highest gas mileage estimates in the segment, the hybrid boasts composed handling, a decent amount of horsepower, solid build quality, and an expansive trunk.

Besides, how many miles will a Honda Insight last?

Read more about our 2019 Honda Insight EX long-termer:

2019 Honda Insight (EX)
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
BASIC WARRANTY3 yrs/36,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY5 yrs/60,000 miles (8 yrs/100,000 miles hybrid+battery systems)
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE3 yrs/36,000 miles

Furthermore, why was the Honda Insight discontinued? Base LX versions lacked electronic stability control; emergency handling was a handful. Stability control became standard for 2012 on all Insights. Interior fit and finish are lacking, rear visibility is difficult, and the back seat is cramped. The Insight was discontinued after the 2014 model year.

Then, should I buy a used Honda Insight?

Bottom line: this is a Honda, with all the superior build-quality and reliability that goes with the brand. If you want a car that always starts, is fun to drive, easy to park, comfortable, cheap to run and very affordable to buy used, then this is it. Go for it.

Does Honda Insight have transmission?

Honda has used previous generations of this IMA system on all of its production hybrid vehicles including the original Insight, Civic Hybrid, and Accord Hybrid. The Insight's Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) provides infinite ratios to keep the engine operating within its most efficient range.

How much does it cost to replace a Honda Insight battery?

The average cost for a Honda Insight battery replacement is between $178 and $186. Labor costs are estimated between $29 and $37 while parts are priced at $149.

Are hybrid cars expensive to repair?

Does it cost more to maintain a hybrid car than a conventional gasoline-fueled car? The answer is no -- unless it breaks down, of course. Normally, routine maintenance and minor repairs are no higher on a hybrid than on a regular car. In fact, they may actually be lower.

Can Honda Insight run without gas?

This 2019 Honda Insight drove 550 miles without a fill. It worked in conjunction with the gas engine for a combined MPG of 55-miles-to-the-gallon, and in practice, meant we drove the Insight for a full 550 miles before needing to do a fill.

Is Honda Insight good for Uber?

Honda Insight – MPG – 40-50 MPG*
Honda Insight is the one and only Prius rival. It is a bit of an inferior younger brother, but it is a decent car for cab driving in London. It is even cheaper than the Prius to run, costs less, and it doesn't look too shabby.

Are Honda hybrids reliable?

Honda Civic Hybrid • 4.5 Stars
For a broad swath of the motoring public, Honda's automobiles represent outstanding engineering, strong reliability, and a great deal of driving pleasure. The 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid lives up to all of those expectations.

Why are hybrid cars bad?

Battery Issues
The biggest drawback to a hybrid car is the battery systems. Nearly all hybrid cars use batteries that are integrated into the powertrain. The problem comes when the batteries can no longer hold a charge. Like the batteries in your TV remote, they'll eventually go flat, and they'll need to be replaced.

Is Honda Insight bigger than Civic?

2019 Honda Insight Review: A Better-Looking, 50 MPG Civic. Honda has a winner in the third-generation Honda Insight compact sedan. The Insight is a compact sedan measuring 184 inches long, 72 inches wide, and 56 inches high. It weighs 2,987 to 3,078 pounds, depending on the trim level.

What is the best hybrid car?

Best Hybrid Sedans
  • 2020 Honda Insight. The Insight returned to the market just last year and immediately became our top-rated hybrid car.
  • 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid. In its super-efficient LE trim, the Camry Hybrid returns excellent fuel economy for a midsize hybrid sedan.
  • 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid.
  • 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid.

How many batteries does a Honda Insight have?

The Insight's hybrid system consists of a 1.5-liter I-4 that produces 107 hp and 99 lb-ft of torque, a propulsion electric motor that makes 129 hp and 197 lb-ft of torque, a generator motor, and a 60-cell lithium-ion battery pack.

How does a Honda Insight work?

The Insight is a small, lightweight two-seater with a tiny, high-efficiency gas engine. The Insight has the best EPA mileage ratings of any hybrid car on the market. The Honda Insight is a simplified parallel hybrid. It has an electric motor coupled to the engine at the spot where the flywheel usually goes.

Is 2010 Honda Insight a good car?

The 2010 Honda Insight has decent performance and fuel economy for a hybrid, as well as an above-average safety score.

Is Honda Insight a hybrid?

Honda Insight models
The 2020 Honda Insight is a five-passenger hybrid sedan that comes in three trim levels: LX, EX and Touring.

Can Honda Insight run without battery?

The Honda Insight, at its core, is a 3-cylinder 67-hp engine and can function without the battery with the loss of auto-stop, regenerative braking, and some MPG.

How fast can a Honda Insight go?

At lower speeds of up to roughly 20 mph, the Insight will go up to a mile without the gasoline engine firing up, according to Honda.

Is Toyota more reliable than Honda?

Honda as a brand are more reliable than Toyota and Toyota is more reliable than Nissan, but all have models that are more reliable than the others. So really, it's down to you which model you go for.

Which is better Prius or Insight?

At $29,110, the Insight is $4,020 cheaper than the similarly trimmed Prius, and its 51-mpg EPA city mileage is, in truth, insignificantly less than the Prius' 54. For sure, the Prius remains the go-to car for ride-hail jockeys.

Are Hybrid Cars Worth It?

For many people wondering if hybrid cars are worth it, the answer is probably not. The reality is that in most cases, hybrid cars end up costing you more money than buying a gas powered car. Better fuel efficiency means fewer trips to the gas station, which means you save money.

Are Honda engines reliable?

Yes, very reliable, is the slightly longer answer. Honda have been pretty consistent when it comes to dependability and have always been in the top ten for reliability. In 2013 they were ranked first for engine reliability by WarrantyDirect, with a failure rate of just 1 in 344, which is 0.29%. And WarrantyDirect.

Can Honda Insight run without hybrid battery?

Yes the Insight and Civic can run without the IMA. The only thing you lose is the 12V battery charging. A larger 12V deep cycle battery that you charge off the grid each night could power the car with lights on, for 6 or more hours.

How long do batteries last in Honda Insight?

Registered. The Insight IMA system has a 10 year/150k warranty in CARB states, so Honda thinks it can last at least that long. (That warranty would not apply in OK) There are Insights reported around here that are over 300k on the original battery. But those tend to be cars that rack up miles quickly.

How much does it cost to fill up a Honda Insight?

Compare Side-by-Side
2019 Honda Insight
Annual Fuel Cost*$500
Cost to Drive 25 Miles$0.87
Cost to Fill the Tank$19
Tank Size10.6 gallons

What kind of gas does a Honda Insight take?

Use of unleaded gasoline of 87 octane or higher is recommended. Honda recommends TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline where available. Do NOT use gasoline containing more than 15% ethanol. Do NOT use gasoline containing methanol.

What is Honda active noise cancellation?

The Active Noise Cancellation™ system detects any “booming” noises inside the cabin that's a result of VCM cylinder deactivation or exhaust noise with a controller that uses a front and rear microphone. Once a noise is detected, the system emits an anti-noise signal through the audio system speakers.

How does the Honda Insight charge?

When driving this vehicle, the electric motor will generate electricity automatically whenever you hit the brakes or let off the gas. Because of this convenient “charge while driving” ability, the 2019 Honda Insight does not have to be plugged in. The motor generates all the electric power needed to charge.

Why are Honda engines so reliable?

Honda's success in the reliability index is chiefly down to low failure rates. However, when things do go wrong, the cars are also relatively cheap to fix.” Another reason Honda might be so reliable is due to their technology, or lack of it. However, Honda cars don't necessarily have so much modern technology.

Is the Honda Insight a Civic?

If the Insight behaves similarly to a standard car it's because, for all intents and purposes, it is a Civic sedan—one that's been modified to accept a hybrid powertrain and a 1.2-kWh battery pack.

What is the difference between Honda Insight and Accord?

The Honda Insight is equipped with a hybrid drivetrain for enhanced efficiency while the Honda Accord has a turbocharged engine that supplies hearty horsepower and torque.

What is the range of the Honda Insight?

Compare Side-by-Side
2019 Honda Insight Touring
EPA Fuel EconomyRegular Gasoline
48 MPG 51 45 combined city/highway city highway
2.1 gal/100mi
509 miles Total Range

Does the 2019 Honda Insight have a spare tire?

New 2019 Insight Touring has no spare.