How Much?
$22,930-$28,840
It's a quiet year for the Honda Insight. The Insight EX and Touring models now come standard with a blind spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert, two safety technologies we highly recommend. There's also a new color for 2021: Radiant Red Metallic. See the 2021 Honda Insight models for sale near you
The least expensive Honda Insight, the Insight LX, is equipped better than you might expect. In addition to smart cruise control and automatic emergency braking, the LX has a 5-in touchscreen, lane-keeping assist, dual-zone automatic climate control and ambient LED console lighting.
More standard features come on the midevel Insight EX. These include an upgraded 8-in touchscreen, a 160-watt audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.
A leather interior, heated front seats, onboard Wi-Fi and an even more powerful stereo system (180 watts) are standard equipment on the Insight Touring.
Options on the Insight EX include 17-in alloy wheels and a package featuring several blacked-out styling elements. On the Insight Touring, dark finish 17-in alloy wheels are available, as is a chrome exterior accent package.
| Hatchback | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insight EX CVT | $24,810 / $23,044 | Hybrid | 151 | 55 / 49 | Continuously Variable Automatic | FWD |
| Insight LX CVT | $22,930 / $21,303 | Hybrid | 151 | 55 / 49 | Continuously Variable Automatic | FWD |
| Insight Touring CVT | $28,840 / $26,775 | Hybrid | 151 | 51 / 45 | Continuously Variable Automatic | FWD |
All 2021 Honda Insight hybrids are equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety technologies that includes automatic emergency braking, smart cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation and road sign recognition.
The Insight EX and Insight Touring trims up the safety quotient with a blind spot monitoring system that lets the driver know when there's a vehicle in the rear three-quarter blind spot. The EX and Touring trims also are equipped with rear cross-traffic alert -- a great help when backing out of those tight parking stalls at Trader Joe's.
Also welcome on the 2021 Honda Insight: automatic high beam headlights. When you set the headlights to auto, the high beams automatically will switch to low beams if the car senses any oncoming traffic. It works well.
Behind the Wheel
Honda has been building hybrid electric vehicles for 20 years now, and it shows in the refined interplay between the Insight's gasoline engine and electric motor. It's always smooth, and the Insight's electronic brain constantly determines which type of power -- gas, electric or both -- is best for the situation at hand.
What's more, the driver can select from various driving modes. Econ, naturally, enhances fuel economy, while Sport sharpens the Insight's response, aided by shift paddles behind the steering wheel that can be used to adjust the rate of deceleration and the amount of regenerative braking.
We found the 2021 Honda Insight to be an easy car to drive, and its continuously variable transmission is a model of smoothness. Though this compact Honda hybrid isn't especially powerful or quick, it gets up to freeway speeds with ease, and its brakes work well. In many hybrids, the pedal feel can be muddied by the blending of conventional hydraulic braking with electrical regeneration. Not so in the Insight -- the brake action feels totally natural.
| Basic | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 5 Years/60,000 Miles |
| Corrosion | 5 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Hybrid/Electric Components | 8 Years/100,000 Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid -- The new Corolla Hybrid has a similar cost of entry -- $23,100 -- and great fuel economy, but the Insight feels a class above.
2020 Toyota Prius -- This benchmark hybrid might have unusual styling, but the Prius also has outstanding fuel economy and Toyota's legendary reliability.
2020 Honda Accord Hybrid -- Need more interior room? The Accord Hybrid starts at only $25,620. Its EPA numbers are 48 mpg city/47 mpg hwy.
Used Toyota Prius -- If you can find one that hasn't been snapped up by an Uber driver, you'd be wise to consider a used Toyota Prius. We see some 2016 models priced in the teens.
Used Honda Accord -- Older Accord hybrids are hard to find because they weren't that popular. But for between $12,000 and $17,000, you can have a nicely equipped Honda Accord. It likely won't be a hybrid, but it's less expensive than a new Insight and is a nicer car all around.
We’ve highlighted the 10 best used hatchbacks under $10,000.
