Staff Photo by Mark Kennedy /
The 2019 Honda Insight in Touring trim features leather upholstery. If the Honda Civic is arguably the "best all-around" compact car, the similarly sized Honda Insight hybrid may be the "most likely to succeed" in its class.
Just days ago it was announced that the third-generation Insight made the equivalent of straight-As on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's test battery, which is a bit like a student making a perfect score on the ACT.
To boot, the Insight gets 51 mpg in city driving, providing a level of gas-price insurance comparable to the Toyota Prius - but without the quirky styling. In fact, the Insight might be even more buttoned-down than the Civic. In touring trim with leather seating surfaces and a 10-speaker sound system, it feels like something off the Acura lot.
FAST FACTS
* Model: 2019 Honda Insight Touring * Exterior color: Cosmic Blue * Interior color: Ivory * Engine: 1.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine with electric motor * Horsepower: 151 (net) * Transmission: CVT * Fuel economy: 51 mpg city, 45 mpg highway * Local Dealer: Economy Honda, Honda of Cleveland * Price (as tested): $28,985
Locally, Insights are available at Economy Honda Superstore on Chapman Road and up I-75 at Honda of Cleveland. Both dealerships had several Insights listed in digital inventory late this week.
WHAT IS IT? A five-passenger compact hybrid sedan with a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a propulsion electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.
Through clever design, Honda concealed the battery pack without eating into trunk space. The Insight has a 14.7-cubic-foot trunk, or about the same as the Civic's.
WHAT DOES IT COST? Out Touring trim tester, provided by Honda, has a sticker price of $28,985 before any discounts. A base model starts at $23,725.
WHAT WE LIKED: The 8-inch touch screen over the center stack, the dash architecture (padded with the touch screen angled away from the driver), two-tone interior, sharp exterior styling, full-size trunk and superior build quality.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: The Insight's gearless CVT transmission is spongy and the engine drones under hard acceleration. The low stance makes it harder for older drivers (like me) to plop themselves into the front seat. The gear selection buttons on new Hondas take some getting used to, and the back doors hinges on our tester were stiff.
WHY IT'S GOOD FOR CHATTANOOGA DRIVERS: The Insight shares the Civic's top-notch suspension. It carves up our mountain roads while providing an unexpected level of driving fun.
FUEL ECONOMY: This is where the Insight really shines. Expect combined city/highway fuel economy of about 48 mpg. Average yearly fuel cost is estimated at about $800, for a savings of $3,000 over five years compared to the average new vehicle.
BOTTOM LINE: If you are an empty-nester on a sub-luxury budget, the Honda Insight is a good choice. It drives great, looks good and should provide years of care-free ownership.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.