2014 Honda Insight review

1. It’s city-friendly 

The Insight has a small footprint, so it’s easy to maneuver in traffic and slide into a parking spot at the office or the grocery store. The leather-wrapped steering wheel gives you responsive feedback to help you navigate tight spaces. With the combination of the gas engine and electric motor, the Insight is responsive in stop-and-go traffic. 

2. Hybrid performance 

The Insight pairs a 1.3L four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor, with a total of 98 hp. Unlike full hybrids, the Insight can’t move on electric power alone. Instead, the electric motor assists the gas engine. Still, the powertrain delivers a respectable EPA-estimated 41 combined mpg.

The auto-stop-start system contributes to the final figure. Driving the Insight is like playing a game, as graphic displays guide you on how to coax the most frugal performance from the car. The more carefully you drive, the digital speedometer changes colors to reflect the car’s performance. 

3. Practical comfort 

The Insight will hold a lot of stuff as a five-door hatchback with folding rear seats. Folding down the 60/40 split rear seats gives you over 31 cu-ft of cargo space. There’s room for five passengers with the rear seats up, but the back seat is a bit small for tall adults. 

4. Bundle up 

It’s easy to work your way up the Insight’s trim levels, as most upgrades are bundled together. The base Insight has a leather-wrapped steering wheel but no cruise control. Still, you’ll get some standard features, including antilock brakes, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, and active front head restraints. The LX adds cruise control, floor mats, and steering-wheel-mounted controls. Moving up to the EX gets you paddle shifters and Bluetooth^® wireless connectivity. The EX with navigation bundle gets Bluetooth streaming audio and a rearview camera. A few options exist, such as satellite radio on LX and EX models. 

5. Familiar driving style 

Because it’s a mild hybrid, the Insight behaves more like a standard gas car than a full hybrid because the gas engine always provides power. However, when you press the accelerator, the transition to the electric motor may be noticeable. You can punch the “Econ” button to get the most from the fuel in your tank.