Honda’s 2019 Insight Hybrid is a Fuel Efficient Luxury Sedan

A month ago, Honda revealed an “Insight prototype” in one of their YouTube videos showing an impressively designed four-door sedan – the sedan seemed more like a mix of the latest Honda Civic and Honda Accord than a  Honda Insight, which originally started as a two-door hybrid hatchback.

Here’s what the previous generation (2009-14) Honda Insight looked like,

Honda Insight has not received any major design updates since 2009 except a facelifted 2012 version. It was quite popular back when the hybrid trend initially began but slowly lost its sales because better hybrid vehicles, such as Prius, with more efficiency started entering the market. It proved to be an excellent commuter, able to provide both comfort and consumption.

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Honda has finally decided to revive the Insight – this time, as a compact sedan which is expected to make its place right between the well-known Honda Civic and Honda Accord.

Exterior

Honda’s design language is unique and has changed significantly in the recent generations boasting a coupe-like roof and sudden-sharp edges. Honda Insight is not meant to be a powerhouse, however, has an oddly sporty design which defines its aggressive appeal.

Capable of producing 151 horsepower, the main engine is teamed with a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor and is much more efficient than its predecessor. You’d agree that the body looks quite similar to the current Honda Civic – both cars have the same 15.1 cubic feet trunk space, 106.3-inch wheelbase, and 37.4-inch leg room.

The front fascia shows off Honda’s signature “flying wing” grille, just like the high-end Honda Accord and a dropped stance to promote sportiness. Taillight design looks a lot like the one in Honda Accord but also has a familiar Audi vibe to it.

All in all, the Honda Insight is worthy enough to be positioned between Honda Civic and Honda Accord – in both price and size – and brings feature-rich electric-hybrid goodness to people who want Prius-level futuristic efficiency in an Accord-level luxury sedan.

Interior

Inside, there is a soft material touch and some premium looking stitching throughout the dashboard and seats. The center console is more towards practicality and modernness than expensive luxuriousness. Being a Honda car, the Insight has a rich infotainment system which comes integrated with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an 8-inch high-res touch display which is also operable with knobs and hard keys, HondaLink, Mobile Hotspot feature, and a 450-watt Audio System.

At the driver seat, you get a 7-inch driver information screen which works along with Honda’s drive assist and sensory features which warn the driver prior to collisions and objects on the road. Other drive assist features include collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. A higher-end variant with Honda’s LaneWatch system is also available, which includes cameras mounted on rear-view mirrors.

Under The Hood

The main difference which distinguishes Honda Insight from its siblings is its hybrid powertrain. A 1.5 L Atkinson engine runs the show under the hood and works alongside an electric motor for added efficiency. The 151-horsepower engine is capable of producing 267 Nm torque and official figures from Honda promise a 23 kmpl fuel mileage in the city.

Its production version has officially been debuted in the 2018 New York Auto Show and is more or less similar to the earlier prototype reveal. There’s no official date of release or price yet, however, it might be priced closer to its competitive rival, the Toyota Prius.