The Honda Insight is back for a third generation, after being on hiatus since 2014. An all-new Insight will debut at the Detroit auto show, and it will be very different from the first two.
How different? Let’s back up a little first. The first-gen model was a very small and very aerodynamic hatchback that debuted in the year 2000, when gasoline was not particularly expensive. It was very much a two-seat car and it featured tapered rear wheel arches. The second-gen Insight that debuted in 2009 was a five-passenger hatchback with a raised, elongated tail that made it hard to distinguish from the Toyota Prius. The all-new third-gen Insight that will debut in prototype form in a matter of days will ditch the Prius look entirely, instead offering the shape and packaging of a four-door sedan with a premium look and feel. It appears Honda has decided the best hybrid is one that doesn’t look like a traditional, wedge-shaped hybrid with slabby sides.
What the all-new Insight will offer is fuel economy north of 50 mpg, Honda Civic and Accord looks, and the versatility of a four-door sedan. In fact, Honda says that the Insight will be positioned above the Civic as a “premium compact,” offering a roomy interior and civilized road manners. A long wheelbase ensures rear seat passengers aren’t short on space, and available perforated leather seating will guarantee that the Insight does not feel like a gas miser of yesteryear.
The new Insight will take a shape of a sedan, positioned above the Civic and just below the Accord.
The Insight will be powered by a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine in addition to an electric motor paired with a lithium-ion battery. Honda says that in most driving conditions the Insight will operate using its electric motor, using the 1.5-liter engine as a generator or drawing juice from the battery. That battery, by the way, will be located under the rear seats and won’t rob the Insight of the ability to fold the rear seatbacks for longer cargo.
“The new 2019 Honda Insight 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., senior vice president of Automobile Sales and general manager of the Honda Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The Honda Insight is anticipated to receive fuel economy ratings competitive with the best hybrids in the segment, with styling that will have universal appeal inside and out and best-in-class passenger volume.”
Honda promises class-leading interior room, as well as available perforated leather seating.
When it comes to interior tech the new Insight will have an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster display for the driver. The new hybrid will also feature Wi-fi-enabled over-the-air software updates, as well as a full suite of Honda driver safety tech including a collision mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow ability (for traffic jams), road departure mitigation, lane departure warning and recently-developed traffic sign recognition.
Honda is keeping other details and performance specs under wraps for now, but we’ll get them all in a matter of days when the Insight debuts in Detroit early next week.
The all-new Insight will go on sale later in 2018. Pricing details and trim specifics will be announced closer to launch.