NOTE: Pricing based on data collected October 2009. Costs of hybridization and forced features are UCS estimates based on information available on manufacturer websites.
See full Hybrid Scorecard methodology
Vehicle Summary
Honda originally introduced the Insight as the first production hybrid for sale in the U.S. in model year 2000. Honda discontinued the two-seater Insight in 2006, but re-introduced it in model year 2010 as a compact car that seats five people and gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 41 mpg. Since the Insight is a dedicated hybrid, meaning there is no conventional counterpart, the Insight was compared with the closest conventional model available from the automaker, the Honda Fit with a 1.5-liter engine. The Insight is a mild hybrid, offering idle stop/start, power assist, and regenerative braking, but cannot run on electric power alone.
Environmental Score
The Honda Insight is impressive in its fuel economy and price, being the most affordable 40+ mpg vehicle on the market. But the Insight gets only a 24 percent reduction in global warming emissions compared with the Fit despite having a hybrid drivetrain and reduced passenger and cargo room. The Honda Civic Hybrid also sacrifices some cargo room compared with its conventional counterpart, but gets a 31 percent reduction in global warming emissions. The smog-forming emissions performance of the Insight is typically strong for the Honda brand, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 9.5. These two factors give the Insight an Environmental Score of 6.8. This suggests that while Honda has brought a valuable new hybrid model to market in the Insight, there is considerable potential to make this vehicle an even better option for the eco-conscious consumer.
Scorecard Environmental Score methodology
Hybrid Value
Compared with a similarly featured Fit, we calculate that Honda is charging $4,100 for the hybrid system in the Insight. This is around $1,000 more than Toyota is charging to go from a similarly equipped Matrix to a Prius. So while getting 40+ mpg for under $20,000 represents good value in the overall vehicle market, with just a 24 percent reduction in global warming emissions, the Insight earns a Hybrid Value rating of only “Medium,” whereas the Honda Civic Hybrid merits a “High” Hybrid Value and the Prius earns a “Very High” rating.
Scorecard Hybrid Value methodology
Forced Features
One place where the Insight really excels is the fact that Honda focuses on fuel economy as its selling point, keeping forced features to an absolute minimum. The Insight has some minor additional features compared with the base model Fit, but since the exact cost of these extra features was not available on Honda’s website, we gave the Insight a Forced Features rating of “none.” The features Honda has listed for the Insight that differ from the Fit include a security system with remote entry and an immobilizer theft-deterrent system. Click to see the full list of forced features.
Scorecard Forced Features methodology
Hybrid Scorecard Home
Additional Info
Visit the Who’s Got Hybrids section to read comments and stories from actual hybrid owners.
Visit the Reviews page to see what popular automotive websites think of this hybrid.
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