beebs

2020 Honda Insight review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Honda Insight highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • High fuel economy numbers
  • Livelier and more refined to drive than similar hybrids
  • Roomy, comfortable interior

Cons

  • Engine noises can be intrusive

Mileage (EPA estimate)

51 city, 45 highway, 48 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

6 photos
Price
Year

The 2020 Honda Insight is an under-the-radar hybrid

The 2020 Honda Insight is a comfortable, easy-to-drive hybrid sedan that doesn’t go out of its way to advertise its green cred. It’s about the same size as the same-year Honda Civic sedan, with just a smidge less rear headroom. That means it’s got good amounts of rear legroom and a practically-sized trunk. It features a lot of available tech upgrades, and some driver aids come standard. Overall, the Insight is comfortable, roomy, and pleasant to drive, making it a strong choice for tackling the daily commute.

While it’s impressively efficient when compared to regular sedans, some hybrid competitors do get better mileage, like the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid or Toyota Prius. The Insight’s biggest flaw is that around town the engine can make noise that has little to do with your driving: At stoplights, it might idle a bit fast to charge the battery, and while accelerating it can drone unpleasantly.

All Honda Insight years

What is new for the 2020 Honda Insight?

  • Insight trims have been upgraded with DVD Video System and Blu-ray Video System as standard equipment this year.

2020 Honda Insight trims

Curious how Honda Insight trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

LX:

  • 151-hp, 99-lb-ft of torque 1.5L
  • Cruise Control
  • Smart Key
  • Cloth Seats
  • Rear View Camera
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Power Mirrors
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Rear Defroster

EX:

Touring:

Honda Insight photos

5 reasons to buy the 2020 Honda Insight

What We Like

Hybrid economy: The 2020 Insight gets up to an EPA-estimated 52 mpg combined

, which is great if you’re looking to use less gas on your commute. Some hybrids get better mileage, but not many.

Driving: No one will confuse the Insight with a sports car, but it accelerates faster than similar hybrids and provides a composed and comfortable ride. Overall, it’s simply nicer to drive than its closest competitors.

Interior: The Insight has a comfortable and well-built interior, with nice materials and a straightforward design that avoids the quirkiness of some other hybrids. It’s a pleasant compact sedan inside, with room for adults in both rows of seats.

What Needs Improvement

Engine noise: Because of its unique hybrid system, the Insight’s engine doesn’t drive the vehicle directly at city speeds, it just provides charge for the battery. That means it can sound loud and unrefined and make noises that don’t really connect to what the car is doing.

Shop with your budget in mind

Getting pre-qualified lets you shop with personalized monthly payments, and it doesn't impact your credit score.Get Pre-qualified

Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4
1
2
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Honda Insight an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Honda Insight 5th out of 6 among Alternative Fuel Vehicles.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Honda Insight

Honda Insight features and specs

LX 2WD 4D Sedan

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cloth Seats
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Cloth Seats

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

1.5L

Horsepower

151

Torque (ft-lbs)

99

Engine type

Hybrid

Fuel capacity

10.6

Wheelbase

106.3"

Overall length

183.6"

Width

71.6"

Height

55.6"

Leg room

F 42.3"/R 37.4"

Head room

F 39.3"/R 36.9"

Front tires

P215/55VR16

Rear tires

P215/55VR16

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2020 Honda Insight FAQ

Research other vehicles



* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.​

Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.​ By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.

We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.