The 2021 Honda Insight is a revolutionary car in so many ways. In terms of hybrid vehicles, the Insight is the best option on the market due to Honda’s extensive commitment to cutting edge design and engineering, which results in a commitment to getting you from point A to point B safely, inexpensively, and with style. As with all Honda products, the mere Honda name evokes confidence. The automaker is known for making safe, reliable vehicles that offer incredible value, and the Insight is no different.
What features stand out on the 2021 Insight? There are almost too many to mention, but in an effort to convey the breadth of features and options available, we’ll review them here. The Insight is a technologically advanced vehicle that ticks all the boxes for buyers that are seeking an environmentally responsible vehicle without having to compromise in categories like infotainment and comfort.
Let’s take a look at the new 2021 Honda Insight and share what others in the automotive industry are saying about this bright new offering in the hybrid category.
About the Honda Insight
The Honda Insight is where style meets savvy. This vehicle is a beautiful mixture of practical and sleek, packed full of amenities and comfort. Starting at $22,930, the 2021 Honda Insight boasts 55 miles per gallon on the highway and 49 miles per gallon in the city. The car is equipped with a hybrid engine that offers speed and sensibility but also impressive horsepower ratings. Additionally, the Insight is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing you to blend fun, music, and a smooth drive all at once.
In terms of safety, the Insight boasts state-of-the-art driver-assist technology to ensure you get from point A to point B safely every time. The first feature is the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) that automatically applies brake pressure when the car senses an unavoidable front-end collision. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing that even if you fail to stop, the Insight will have your back.
Additionally, the car offers a Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) that can sense if you drift over lane lines accidentally. The Insight then offers assistance to get you back on track or applies brake pressure if it senses you are leaving the road. This feature allows you to drive at ease, knowing that even if you get distracted, your car will be able to prevent a disaster from happening.
Another revolutionary safety feature is the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow. This allows you to drive with ease on cruise control as your car will slow down with the flow of traffic and stop if needed. All it takes to get back going is a quick tap on the gas to return to the desired speed. This feature eliminates the frustration of having to reset your cruise control over and over on long road trips. Rather than constantly fiddling with your car’s settings, all you need to do is a quick step on the throttle.
On top of being highly functional, the Honda Insight was crafted to turn heads. The outside sports a sleek, aerodynamic design that is reminiscent of a sports car. The exterior comes in a variety of colors, including cosmic blue, crystal black pearl, lunar silver metallic, modern steel metallic, platinum white pearl, and radiant red metallic. Note that not all colors are available in each trim option.
As for the interior, the Insight is spacious, luxurious, and modern. It features a smart device style screen with quick navigation to various apps and settings. Depending on the model, leather-trimmed seats are available as well. The interior sports ivory leather, a beautiful color that is sure to turn heads.
Model Options
The 2021 Honda Insight comes in three different trim options: LX, EX, and Touring. Each Honda Insight option comes with various features (some overlapping) related to safety, comfort, pleasure, and aesthetics.
The Honda Insight LX, starting at an affordable MSRP of $22,930, features Honda’s suite of driver-assist safety systems, which they’ve named Honda Sensing. Also standard is a whole host of interior comfort and convenience features, including a push button start, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a 6-speaker audio system that pumps out 160-watts, and a cool 3-mode driving system that allows you to choose your ride style. Select ECON for max fuel efficiency, Sport mode for a more nimble ride, and EV mode to just use electricity for power. The LX also comes standard with a rearview camera and auto high-beam headlights.
Next in the lineup is the Insight EX, Honda’s mid-range trim, and it’s also affordably priced at a starting MSRP of $24,810. What can you expect to find on the EX? You’ll get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a Smart Entry system that provides a remote start feature and a walk-away auto-locking feature which takes away the age-old question…did I remember to lock the car? A 60/40 split fold-down rear seat helps to expand the cargo area and give you multiple seating/storage configurations. Infotainment also gets a bump with an 8 speaker, 180-watt audio system, and an 8-inch touchscreen display.
At the top of the line sits the Honda Insight Touring, coming in at $28,840 to start. You’ll see a big increase in luxury features with the Touring model, including leather seating, heated 8-way power front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power moonroof, and a premium 10 speaker, 450-watt stereo system with a subwoofer to crank out the tunes during your commute. Honda differentiates the Touring trim further with navigation that links to a satellite and provides real-time traffic updates. Dual climate control keeps the driver and passenger comfortable and happy, and the rain-sensing wipers are a welcome addition in inclement weather.
All Honda Insight models enjoy an 8-year warranty on the battery, giving buyers peace-of-mind that Honda stands behind their EVs.
How it Compares
The Insight comes equipped with many amenities that competitive vehicles do not. Some examples include the Road Departure Mitigation system, increased passenger space, higher horsepower, walk away auto lock technology, an 8-speaker audio system, and remote engine start. Not only does the Insight surpass its competitors in terms of amenities and comfort level, but it also incorporates potentially life-saving safety features that are not available on other vehicles. Additionally, the Insight’s increased horsepower allows for a sportier drive, so you don’t have to compromise performance for fuel economy. It’s truly the best of both worlds.
The Honda Insight’s excellence has been recognized through the multiple awards it has received. In 2019 and 2020, the car was awarded the prestigious Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick to honor its performance in crash safety situations. Additionally, the Honda Insight received a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This score was calculated from a lens of the vehicle’s overall safety.
Overall, the 2021 Honda Insight should be on your list even if you’re not sure a hybrid vehicle is right for you. Its combined features and performance capabilities should earn it a top spot regardless. We believe the Insight can stand up to even non-hybrid vehicles in its category. Take a test drive today and see if you agree!
