by Aiden Eksteen
Most automakers present their eco-friendly nameplates in futuristic or eccentric designs simply to show off their eco-conscious inclinations, as if every person that buys an electric vehicle or hybrid wants to show off that verity. Fortunately, the 2021 Honda Insight veers away from that quirky design ethos and takes on more of a suave and modern aesthetic that's genuinely attractive within the mainstream compact sedan classification. With 151 horsepower conveyed from its 1.5-liter hybrid inline-4 engine, the Insight sedan is also a fairly enjoyable car to drive, delivering similar performance characteristics to that of the agile Civic. These qualities, along with its commodious cabin, numerous driver-assist features, and a spacious trunk, have the 2021 Insight contrast favorably alongside the likes of the Toyota Prius.
For 2021, the Honda Insight only gets a few tweaks to help keep it on the podium for another year. Honda Sensing now comes standard on every model, with features like collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and road departure mitigation, ensuring that the Insight earns a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Beyond the base model, the Insight EX and Touring each get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
LX |
1.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$23,130 |
EX |
1.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$25,010 |
Touring |
1.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$29,040 |
The Honda Insight hybrid sedan may not be the most frugal or economical of the many HEV options - the acclaimed Prius offering superior fuel efficiency - but it is certainly one of the more engaging and stylish 4-door sedans, particularly in the hybrid space. And while it hasn't undergone many enhancements or alterations in its third-generational phase, it still remains one of the most contemporary and value-rich offerings in the USA. On top of being a relatively fun, suave, and frugal cruiser, the compact Insight sedan is also fairly pragmatic, with its commodious cabin and expansive trunk. The entry-spec Insight, unfortunately, comes outfitted with a rather outmoded infotainment touchscreen, but considering the 2021 Honda Insight sedan's starting price of just $22,930, this isn't enough to deter value-hunters. The entire line comes standard with Honda Sensing - a comprehensive consignment of driver assists - and a good amount of creature comforts and conveniences. With the IIHS's impressive review of the 2021 Honda Insight, and considering its good reliability expectations, it's a difficult sedan not to recommend.
With its outmoded infotainment system and limited standard feature selection, we'd skip over the entry-spec LX and opt for the mid-tier EX. This variant of the 2021 Insight sedan comes outfitted with several desirable features over the LX, including remote engine start, an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. This trim also offers an improved level of versatility over the LX with its 60/40-split folding rear seats. The top-spec Touring trim may boast a selection of lavish comforts and conveniences over the EX, but it doesn't add a whole lot more value for your money.
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Check out some informative Honda Insight video reviews below.