Third time’s a charm, they say, and Honda surely hopes it’s true. As the third iteration of the on-again, off-again dedicated hybrid model, the newly enlarged 2019 Honda Insight is putting on airs and climbing up from the bottom of the automaker’s model lineup.
For the coming model year, the reintroduced Insight will occupy the third rung of the brand’s car portfolio, above the Fit and Civic, but below Accord. Thanks to a pre-Detroit auto show release, we now have a better idea of what’s going on inside the new Insight, as well as under the hood.
Powering the Insight is the latest version of Honda’s two-motor hybrid system, this one using a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder mated to an electric motor of undetermined strength and a lithium-ion battery pack (located under the rear seat) of undetermined capacity. Honda claims the vehicle operates under electric power in most situations, drawing current from the engine-turned-generator.
As for efficiency, the automaker is shooting for a 50 mpg-plus combined fuel economy rating. The model’s main rival, the Toyota Prius, warrants a 52 mpg combined rating.
Unlike past versions of the Insight, this latest model isn’t as concerned with being the most efficient plugless hybrid on the road. Mixing up the recipe, Honda wants the new Insight to serve as a premium, stylish alternative to other hybrid models. Certainly, the Insight’s face is Pure Honda, reflecting styling cues seen on the 2018 Accord. Long, flowing flanks stand in sharp contrast to the cramped, bulbous Insights of yesteryear.
Inside, Honda promises best-in-class passenger volume. The model “signals we are entering a new era of electrification with a new generation of Honda products that offer customers the benefits of advanced powertrain technology without the traditional trade-offs in design, premium features or packaging,” said Henio Arcangeli, Jr., general manager of American Honda Motor Company’s Honda division.
Premium features like perforated leather seating await Insight buyers willing to shell out for options, while an 8.0-inch touchscreen provides access to infotainment functions, including available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Honda promises more intuitive, “smartphone-like features and functionality,” with Wi-Fi-enabled over-the-air updates. In the gauge cluster sits a 7.0-inch driver information display.
Available later this year, the 2019 Insight shares its Greensburg, Indiana assembly plant with the Civic and CR-V. Expect a prototype unveiling on January 15th at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
[Images: Honda]
So, it’s a Civic hybrid with an Acura interior? Okely dokely then.
It does a great job filling a market that doesn’t exist.
They’ll sell ten(s) of them.
I’d love to know how this vehicle came to fruition looking SO much better than its more conventional siblings. It’s what the Accord should have been.
You stole my thinking. I was like, wow, nice Accord
More like what the Civic should’ve been. Shows what it could’ve been if the rear end didn’t look tacked on and without those ridiculous C-tailights
The dimensions say Civic. The proportions say Accord.
I agree. I test drove the new Accord recently and it is too large. There is room for an actual mid-sized car between Civic and Accord now.
The styling on this is excellent. I think it will become the best looking Honda the moment it goes on sale. Crucially it is devoid of fake plastic vents in the bumpers.
Put an electric motor on all four wheels and I’m in.
My friend is about to buy an Accord Touring. The only thing that it lacks as far and she and I are concerned is AWD. I’m thinking I can get an Accord wannabe with AWD when the 2019 TLX becomes availabe. But if the Insight had 4 motors I would have to consider it.
Looks like a Legacy Sedan and the new Accord banged.
The Legacy sedan is ugly IMO. The only thing Legacy has going for it is AWD. Everything else about it is sub par.
So there is going to be a Clarity hybrid and an Insight hybrid?
The Clarity is a “plug in” hybrid. I don’t know why they didn’t simply make an Insight ‘plug in’ like Toyota did with their Prius line. Neither of the plug in hybrid models actually sell a lot compared to normal hybrids or even BEV’s.
It’s interesting that they went with Kia Stinger tail lights instead of Civic lobster claw tail lights.
I thinks it’s the best looking Honda sedan, and would consider buying one if the options are packaged to my liking and the pricing makes sense. Of course, it would be better as a hatch or (god forbid) a wagon.
And here we have a preview of the next generation ILX styling, if there is one.
Wouldn’t it be a better idea to build it at the Accord’s size, and call it the Accord Insight?
They already have the Accord hybrid. They should simply ax the Insight since no one is buying them.
The 2g Insight was axed years ago. So no, no-one has been buying new Insights for some time.
Interesting that they keep using the Insight name when each iteration is SO different than the last one.
It gives innnnnnnn, uh, an inner look into the workings of Honda HQ.
they don’t need new patent by reusing same name
Wait a minute. This is an Accord with a new name badge on it. WTF!? Why not just get rid of this non selling car and focus on the Accord Hybrid? I have sold Honda’s for years, and Honda never fails to confuse everyone with the vehicles they release without ever consulting the general public by having focus groups.
It’s based on the Civic
This will convert exactly zero customers.
* Prius buyers are fiercely loyal, and most enjoy having a hatch anyway. If they are moving to a hybrid sedan, it’ll be to the (quite good) new Camry Hybrid.
* Civic buyers won’t swallow the price premium as long as their EX sedans keep returning over 40mpg highway (and will be easily able to outrun this)
* Accord buyers have the Accord Hybrid and want the space
The only thing this will potentially steal sales from is the Clarity plug-in, a model that is DOA anyway.
Another sedan with a useless mailbox slot trunk! No wonder sedans don’t sell anymore! Make it a lift back!
You can be virtuous in style now.
As I said on the last article, one of the most pointless vehicles of all time. The equivalent of burning money.
The CR-Z is no slouch in the left lane of the pointless higway either, check your mirrors!
How big is this thing? I like the new accord but it’s essentially a large sedan at this point. Civic is ugly. I think Honda did this on purpose not to canabilize accord sales as the civic is now approaching mid sized sedan size. A slightly larger than civic sized hybrid with good looks and that is well appointed would do well.
Altho it looks longer, the 2018 Accord is .3″ shorter than the 2013-2017, which was shorter than the previous gen
the 2018 Accord has a 2.1″ longer wheelbase and more interior room than the previous gen and is about 300 lbs lighter
Honda finally got their current styling language right. Very attractive!
Makes my ‘16 Prius look like some funky thing out a Japanese sci-fi comic book.
Styling is not as high a priority to me as it is to most buyers I suspect.
The utility of a hatchback is clearly an advantage that this Insight passed on.
The price, dimensional, and efficiency numbers will be of interest.
The character of the Honda power train will be interesting as well. I have grown quite fond of the Pruis’ instant (if only adequate acceleration) electric motor throttle response, with the fairly quiet 4-cyl motor smoothly rising and falling with back up power when needed.
I had a 2010 Insight that was pretty decent car and got ~45 mpg. I traded it for a Civic Si, though, when I found out the battery replacement cost more than the depreciated car was worth. Now I only get ~30 mpg, but I can blow the doors off a Prius.
That chrome bar-look up front is still ghastly, but this would have made a nicer-looking Accord.
Not a bad looking car. The front end is a little easier on the eyes when compared to the new Accord.
Being a past TDI owner and longtime Volkswagen owner/enthusiast, I’ve really started to miss my MK6 Golf TDI’s awesome highway mileage (48-50 mpg) which has me thinking of looking for something a little more fuel efficient. Never been a hybrid or electric car fan, but I’m now doing about 155 miles combined in commuting for work and seriously contemplating a highway mule.
I replaced the TDI with a 16 Golf Variant TSI that gets about 42 mpg highway (tuned, lowered, installed all Euro aero underbody skid panels and other non-US market goodies from the R Variant) which is not horrible, but the tiny 11-gallon fuel tank hinders this otherwise great vehicle.
Any ideas?
FWIW I drove my 16 Pruis here in Colorado over Vail pass to Glenwood Springs and back, most of it at 75-85 mph. It returned 53mpg for the trip.
Hurts: steep high speed grades and elevation gains & losses: 4,900 ft from Glenwood to Vail Pass summit.
Helps: Lower resistance, thin high altitude air.
I’m betting it would do better than 53mpg on I-80 through Nebraska.