2021 Honda Insight Pros vs Cons

As a compact hybrid sedan, the 2021 Honda Insight has a lot of advantages. It's easy to handle and feels responsive. Of course, the biggest benefit of driving the Insight is that it's so efficient. There aren't many sedans that can surpass what the Insight can do in terms of mileage. At the same time, it has a body frame and exterior stylings that look pretty traditional rather than super futuristic. For these reasons, the 2021 Insight is a smart buy, and it comes in the LX, EX, and Touring trims.

What's New for 2021?

For 2021, Honda has ditched the idea of incorporating a rear-facing camera system into the Insight. Now, the car has a standard blind spot monitoring system that simply alerts people to the presence of other vehicles rather than showing them a live video feed. Since the camera only showed the blind-spot view on the passenger's side and could be distracting, it was probably a good idea to move on from it. One other change is that Radiant Red Metallic is now available as a color choice.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2021 Honda Insight – The Pros

1. Saves Gas

Having a hybrid powertrain is a primary reason why the Insight is such an attractive vehicle. It can achieve up to 55 miles per gallon in the city and 49 miles per gallon on the highway. The reason why there's a discrepancy is because city driving involves more braking than highway driving does. During that braking process, the car can capture some of the energy created and can turn it into power that the battery can use.

The Insight takes regular unleaded gas so drivers won't have to change their behaviors too much. All they'll notice is that their trips to the gas station will decrease in frequency.

2. Smooth Driving

With its in-line four-cylinder engine and electric motor, the Insight has a net horsepower of 151. This certainly isn't going to impress anyone, but it does mean the car feels light and easy to steer rather than being bulky and cumbersome to handle. Active Noise Cancellation makes the ride feel peaceful, and the electronically continuously variable transmission creates almost seamless transitions as the Insight accelerates or slows down.

3. High-Tech Elements

Bluetooth is standard on the 2021 Honda Insight to make it simple to connect one's smartphone or tablet to the speaker system. Bluetooth streaming audio can provide some extra entertainment options, as can Pandora compatibility. The LX only has a five-inch color LCD screen, but the EX and Touring are upgraded with an eight-inch touchscreen. This touchscreen is customizable and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. In addition, these trims have SiriusXM and HD Radio.

The Touring takes things even further. It has satellite-linked navigation and a voice recognition system, and it can point people in the right direction when traffic or construction is blocking the way. The Touring can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot, which many people will find useful. On the Touring, there's a 10-speaker system with a subwoofer. This is an upgrade over the EX's eight-speaker system and the LX's six-speaker arrangement.

4. Stylish and Understated

There are people out there who want hybrids that have all the stylings that make them stand out. However, there are many customers who want the efficiency of a hybrid but prefer something more classic in style. The Honda Insight would be perfect for that type of buyer. It has an aerodynamic design that's not too flashy or off-putting, and it has some curves and angles that give it a modern, yet elegant aesthetic.

LED headlights and taillights are standard on the Insight, and there's a fin-type antenna on the roof. Chrome accents on the side mirrors and door handles are available to further enhance the sophistication of the sedan. The Touring trim has the addition of LED fog lights that look sleek and are helpful when visibility is poor.

5. No Compromise on Safety

The 2021 Honda Insight comes with Honda Sensing Technologies. This safety package includes various driver-assist systems that can actively monitor how things are going. If issues are ever detected, drivers can receive warnings, and sometimes, the Insight can be proactive about preventing accidents. Sensors are in place around the car as part of Forward Collision Warning, automated emergency braking, and systems that try to keep the driver from inadvertently moving out of a lane.

All three trims of the Insight have adaptive cruise control. This allows the car to adjust its own speed, depending on what the vehicle in front is doing. It even works at low speeds when traffic is heavy. To remind people of traffic signs, the car can "read" signs that it comes across and send alerts to the driver. Automatic high beams, anti-lock brakes, and a multi-angle rearview camera are other safety mechanisms that can prove to be quite useful. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic monitoring are included on the EX and Touring trims.

6. The Right Price

Car shopping inevitably involves a consideration of what prices are reasonable given one's budget. Fortunately for a majority of car buyers, the 2021 Honda Insight will be a practical car to own. The LX is priced under $23,000, the EX is just below $25,000, and the high-end Touring starts out at $28,840. Each of the price jumps comes with a significant number of upgrades.

7. The Touring Trim Feels Premium

To appeal to those with sophisticated tastes, Honda offers the Insight Touring trim. It comes with heated front seats to make things more cozy and comfortable in the winter, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, and leather seats. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, and the cabin has a dual-zone climate control system. The Touring is the only trim to have a power moonroof and rain-sensing wipers. All of these features work together to make the cabin feel upscale. The best news is that the Touring doesn't come with "luxury" pricing, as mentioned above.

8. Convenient Amenities

Honda is known for building practical vehicles, and the Insight is no different even though it's a hybrid. The brand has found a way to mainstream hybrid vehicles by building them with customers in mind. Standard on the Insight are LED lighting, storage compartments in the center console and door pockets, sliding sun visors, and push-button start. The top two trims have remote engine start, and all trims have automatic headlights and an electronic remote trunk release.

9. An Ideal Size

While there are people who think that bigger is better when it comes to vehicles, this mindset doesn't apply to all buyers. In fact, many people want smaller cars. They feel agile, can squeeze into tight spots, and can be a good fit many lifestyles. The Honda Insight has an overall length of 183.6 inches and a height of 55.6 inches. There's not too much compromise in leg room, as there is 42.3 inches up front and 37.4 inches of leg room in the rear.

10. Still Room for Cargo

No need to worry about hauling bags, groceries, or other types of cargo around town. The trunk on the Insight has a volume of 15.1 cubic feet. This is plenty of space for most situations. Since the rear seatback can fold down, there's the possibility of creating more space for larger items. The LX has a one-piece rear seatback, and the EX and Touring have 60/40 split rear seatbacks to provide some flexibility.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2021 Honda Insight – The Cons

1. Lacks Horsepower

There's a difference between needs and wants. The Insight doesn't "need" any more horsepower, but it could definitely benefit from having more capability. There are many potential customers who want more out of their next vehicles, and for them, the Insight might not make their lists. Instead of being patient as they merge onto a highway or hit the gas pedal when the light turns green, they're going to want to feel like their vehicle is zooming to the desired speed.

2. Cabin Feels Simple

In the LX, there are several elements that are missing. The first is smartphone connectivity, and the second is a touchscreen. Those who love their technology might dismiss the LX because of this. Plus, the LX and the EX only have manually adjustable driver's seats and cloth seating trim.

3. No Plug-In Option

The industry is moving forward quickly, and there are now many more plug-in hybrids available. Honda might want to consider pushing the Insight in this direction. It would widen the appeal of the car, and it would boost efficiency.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2021 Honda Insight vs 2021 Toyota Prius

When comparing the Insight versus the Prius, one thing that's evident is the cost of these two vehicles is different. The Prius is priced a few thousands dollars higher than the Insight is, so those who prioritize affordability will likely lean towards the Insight. Also, the Prius may turn some away because of its unique shape.

2021 Honda Insight vs 2021 Kia Optima Hybrid

The Optima Hybrid is another vehicle that's priced higher than the Insight. The fact is that it's going to be hard to beat the Insight in cost. If anyone plans on frequently transporting passengers in the back, it needs to be noted that the Insight has more rear-seat leg room than the Optima does. The Insight's trunk is slightly bigger than the Optima's as well.

Conclusion

The 2021 Honda Insight would make perfect sense for anyone looking for a compact sedan that comes with excellent efficiency. Overall, the car is a practical one to own, and it's packed with enough features to make it fun and convenient to drive.