Honda · 1999–present

Honda Insight

The Honda Insight (ホンダ・インサイト, Honda Insaito) is a hybrid electric car manufactured and marketed by Honda. Its first generation was a three-door, two-seat liftback coupé (1999–2006) and its second generation was a five-door, five-seat liftback (2009–2014). In its third generation it was a four-door sedan (2018–2022), and in its fourth generation it became a five-door crossover SUV (2026–present). It was Honda's first model with Integrated Motor Assist system and the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered car available in the U.S. without plug-in capability for the length of its production run. Honda introduced the second-generation Insight in Japan in February 2009 and in the United States on March 24, 2009. The Insight was the least expensive hybrid available in the US. In December 2010, Honda introduced a less expensive base model for the 2011 model year. The Insight was launched in April 2009 in the UK as the lowest priced hybrid on the market and became the best selling hybrid for the month. The Insight ranked as the top-selling vehicle in Japan for the month of April 2009, a first for a hybrid model. During its first twelve months after first available in the Japanese market, the second-generation Insight sold 143,015 units around the world. In July 2014, Honda announced the end of production of the Insight for the 2015 model, together with the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell car and the Honda Fit EV electric car. At the 2018 North American International Auto Show, Honda announced the third-generation Honda Insight prototype, based on the tenth-generation Honda Civic sedan. Unlike the previous Insight, it was a traditional sedan, not a five-door liftback. The third-generation Insight went on sale later that year. In April 2022, Honda announced that the Insight would be discontinued after the 2022 model year, with production ending in June. It was replaced by a new Civic Hybrid.

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First generation (ZE1; 1999)

=== History === Based on the Honda J-VX concept car unveiled at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, the Insight was introduced in Japan in November 1999 as the first production vehicle to feature Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. In the following month, December 1999, the Insight became the first hybrid available in North America, followed seven months later by the Toyota Prius. The Insight featured optimized aerodynamics and a lightweight aluminum structure to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions. Until 2015, the first generation Insight ranks as the most fuel-efficient United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified gasoline-fueled vehicle, with a highway rating of 61 miles per US gallon (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg‑imp) and combined city/highway rating of 53 miles per US gallon (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg‑imp). Design. The Honda Insight is a subcompact 2-seater liftback 3,945 mm (155.3 in) in length with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm (94.5 in) a height of 1,355 mm (53.3 in) and a width of 1,695 mm (66.7 in). The first-generation Insight was manufactured as a two-seater, launching in a single trim level with a manual transmission and optional air conditioning. In the second year of production two trim levels were available: manual transmission with air conditioning, and continuously variable transmission (CVT) with air conditioning. The only major change during its life span was the introduction of a trunk-mounted, front-controlled, multiple-disc CD changer. In addition to its hybrid drive system, the Insight was small, light and streamlined — with a drag-coefficient of 0.25. At the time of production, it was the most aerodynamic production car to be built. Technology. The gasoline engine is a 67 hp (50 kW; 68 PS), 1.0-liter, ECA series 3-cylinder unit providing le

Second generation (ZE2/ZE3; 2009)

In 2009, Honda introduced its second-generation Insight based on an all-new, 5-passenger, 5-door, dedicated hybrid platform, which was also later used for the Honda CR-Z. The concept version of the Insight liftback hybrid electric vehicle had made its public debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. and its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In the US, the new Insight is classified as a compact car based on its interior volume. History. The 2010 Honda Insight was specifically designed to make hybrid technology more affordable to a wide range of buyers. As a result, Toyota cut the price of its third-generation Prius. Despite the Prius still being more expensive than the Insight, the Prius was much more successful in the United States, although the Insight did sell well in Japan. While the Insight had a fuel economy of 41 mpg, the Prius with its more advanced hybrid technology could manage 50 mpg, plus the Prius had more horsepower, seating room and trunk space. Departing from the first generation Insight's two-seat configuration, the 2010 Insight is a 5-passenger, 5-door dedicated hybrid vehicle that includes the fifth generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid powertrain. The Insight was facelifted in 2010 in the United Kingdom and in 2011 for the 2012 model year in the United States, with updates to the suspension, styling and interior. There are revisions to the recoil rate of the springs, change of the rear camber angles and alterations to the rear suspension brace and adjusting mounts. As a result, Honda promised better ride, handling and stability. Interior changes include revisions to the dashboard, seat fabric, and some plastics. The air vents received a chrome surround and a silver garnish now adorns the door sills. In 2013, Honda of Ja

Third generation (ZE4; 2018)

The third-generation Honda Insight prototype debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show, and the production version was unveiled at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. It is based on the tenth-generation Honda Civic sedan, and shares similar exterior and interior dimensions (although the Insight is about one inch longer than its non-hybrid counterpart). Unlike the previous Insight, it is a traditional sedan, not a five-door liftback. The new Insight uses Honda's third generation two-motor hybrid powertrain, featuring a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that runs on an Atkinson cycle engine, combined with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. The Insight shares the same trunk space as the tenth-generation Honda Civic sedan, as the batteries for the Insight do not impede on trunk space. The fully digital LCD instrument cluster was taken from the larger 2018 Honda Accord, and many interior styling features were taken from the tenth-generation Honda Civic Sedan, which is assembled at the same Greensburg, Indiana, plant as the all-new Insight. Honda projects a 55 mpg‑US (4.3 L/100 km; 66 mpg‑imp; 23 km/L) city, 49 mpg‑US (4.8 L/100 km; 59 mpg‑imp; 21 km/L) highway fuel economy, and 52 mpg‑US (4.5 L/100 km; 62 mpg‑imp; 22 km/L) combined rating for the 2019 Insight LX and EX trim levels, as compared to the 51 mpg‑US (4.6 L/100 km; 61 mpg‑imp; 22 km/L) city, 45 mpg‑US (5.2 L/100 km; 54 mpg‑imp; 19 km/L) highway, and 48 mpg‑US (4.9 L/100 km; 58 mpg‑imp; 20 km/L) combined fuel economy ratings on the top Touring trim, which introduces leather seating to the Insight for the first and only time. The difference in fuel economy between the versions is due to the higher weight and added equipment of the Touring version. The third-generation Honda Insight went

Fourth generation (RM7; 2026)

The fourth generation Insight was unveiled in March 2026. Unlike previous generations, it is a fully battery-electric crossover SUV based on the Honda e:N2. It was launched in 16 April 2026. Sales limited to 3,000 units.

Awards and recognition

First generation The Insight's engine won the International Engine of the Year award for 2000, and continued to hold the "Sub-1 liter" size category for the next six years. It received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2000 Climate Protection Award. It was named the Greenest Vehicle of the year for 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006 by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The Insight was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2001. Until the 2016 Toyota Prius Eco, the 2000 Insight was the most efficient EPA-certified gasoline-powered vehicle ever, with a highway rating of 61 miles per US gallon (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg‑imp) and combined city/highway rating of 53 miles per US gallon (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg‑imp). Second generation The Insight is awarded 2009 Good Design Award from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization The American Automobile Association (AAA) awarded the Honda Insight the Top Commuter Vehicle in 2010. The 2010 Insight EX was awarded Top Safety Pick 2009 from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Selected among Kelley Blue Book Top 10 Green Cars for 2010. Selected among Kelley Blue Book Top 10 Green Cars for 2011. Selected among the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Greenest Vehicles of the Year for 2010, 2011 and 2012. 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award in the hybrid car category, granted by Kelly Blue Book for the lowest projected costs during initial five-year ownership period in its category. Third generation 2019 Green Car of the Year

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Honda Insight

Manufacturer

Honda

Production

1999–2006, 2009–2014, 2018–2022, 2026–present

Model years

2000–2006 (North America), 2010–2014 (North America), 2019–2022 (North America)

Class

Subcompact car (2000–2006), Compact car (2010–2022), Compact crossover SUV (2026–present)

Body style

3-door liftback (2000–2006), 5-door liftback (2010–2014), 4-door sedan (2018–2022), 5-door SUV (2026–present)

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

sp

us

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q853280CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_InsightCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375348893 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2020_Honda_Insight_Touring,_front_1.1.21.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Kevauto · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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