Honda makes a variety of reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles, and its hybrids are no exception. The first Honda hybrid vehicle to hit the market was the Honda Insight two decades ago. Although it wasn't as successful as the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle to go on sale in the United States. Honda eventually produced a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Clarity, with a short but sweet production run.
Some hybrid-only Honda vehicles prioritize low drag coefficients and have polarizing styles. The first-generation Honda Insight had smooth lines and panels that covered most of the rear wheels to maximize aerodynamics. The low 0.25 drag coefficient and a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine provide exceptional fuel efficiency. This combination earned the Honda Insight the title of the first gasoline-powered vehicle to break the 70 MPG barrier. Honda would later produce hybrid versions of their most popular models, including the Accord, Civic, and CR-V
Honda Hybrid Models:
Honda Accord Hybrid
The Honda Accord Hybrid, first introduced in 2005, is one of the earliest models to receive a hybrid variant. The first-generation Accord Hybrid features a 3.0-liter V6 engine that utilizes Variable Cylinder Management, which deactivates three cylinders to minimize fuel consumption. The fuel economy of the six-cylinder Hybrid Accord varies year to year, but it consistently beats the four-cylinder Accord by one to two MPGs.
Later generations of the Honda Accord Hybrid drop the 3.0-liter V6 for a more fuel-efficient 2.0-liter inline-4 engine. The four-cylinder Accord's city fuel economy nearly doubles compared to its predecessor, delivering an impressive. There is also an Accord Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle with a 6.7 kWh battery that provides 13 miles of electric-only range with a brief production run for the 2014 model year.
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda's first mainstream vehicle to receive a hybrid powertrain was the Civic in 2003, which utilized a 1.3-liter engine. The small fuel-efficient engine delivers more than 40 combined MPG, which is decent even by modern standards. The automatic transmission delivers slightly better performance in the city, while the manual transmission can squeeze out a few extra MPG on the highway. Drivers looking to purchase a Honda Civic Hybrid with a manual transmission must shop for the early model years since only an automatic transmission is available after 2005. In 2012, the Civic Hybrid got a larger 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that was slightly more fuel efficient.
After being out of production for a decade, the Civic Hybrid is back and better than ever. Starting in 2025, the Civic Hybrid features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes nearly double the horsepower and delivers roughly a 10% increase in fuel economy. While previous generations of the Civic Hybrid have only been available as a sedan, the fourth-generation comes in sedan and hatchback body styles.
Honda Clarity PHEV
The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle features a 17 kWh battery that can deliver 47 miles of electric-only range. When charging on a 120V outlet, the battery takes 12 hours to reach maximum capacity and 2.5 hours when using a 240V outlet. The Clarity has nearly identical dimensions to the Accord and is an excellent choice for drivers looking to maximize gas mileage and lessen the environmental impact of their driving.
Honda CR-V Hybrid
The Honda CR-V Hybrid joined the lineup two decades after the launch of Honda's first hybrid vehicle. Like most SUVs, the CR-V Hybrid is available in FWD and AWD configurations. The FWD version delivers approximately 10% better fuel economy than the AWD version. Regardless of the drivetrain, drivers can expect a roughly 50% increase in city MPG and more modest single-digit gains on the highway. The CR-V Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter engine like other vehicles in the modern Honda Hybrid lineup.
Honda CR-Z
This two-door hybrid hatchback has sporty styling inspired by the Honda CRX. A 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine powers the Honda CR-Z and puts the power down through a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The CR-Z is a hybrid for car enthusiasts, and the 2013 – 2014 model years can be equipped with a Honda Performance Development supercharger that adds 67 horsepower, bringing the total to 197 hp, up from the stock 130 hp. There is also a slew of HPD upgrades to add to the CR-Z, including bigger brakes, sport exhaust, sport suspension, and rear diffuser. With performance upgrades, the CR-Z can deliver a 0 – 60 time in the mid-six seconds.
Honda Insight
The original Honda Hybrid and the first mass-produced hybrid to go on sale in the United States was the Honda Insight. The Insight first hit the market in 2000 and had a unique styling that made it stand out from any other vehicle on the road. Honda was on a mission to maximize fuel efficiency, and the exterior of the Insight is devoid of sharp edges. The back edge of the front wheel wells curves inward, and the rear wheel wells cover most of the tire to minimize drag.
The second-generation Honda Insight has more conservative styling and increased utility. Growing nearly a foot and a half in length, the Insight now has room for five passengers and is shaped like its closest competitor, the Toyota Prius. The latest iteration of the Insight switches body style from a hatchback to a sedan and adds nearly another foot to the vehicle's length. The styling of the now more closely resembles the Honda Accord and, for better or worse, no longer sticks out from the crowd like the earlier Insight models.