2019 Honda Insight Hybrid

NEW YORK, March 27 (CarPressions) -- Honda has officially debuted the production version of the third generation 2019 Honda Insight at the New York International Auto Show. The first generation Honda Insight was a futuristic looking 2-seater with bug-like eyes. The second generation was similar in excution as its main competitor, Toyota's Prius. Honda has deviated with the new 2019 Insight. It is no longer a 5-door or a hatchback. The new third generation Insight looks like a combination of the tenth generation Civic and Accord. It features the new front end style of the Accord and Civic, but the Insight looks better in our opinion than both of them.

The Accord and Civic blend continues into the interior where cues from the Accord and Civic are evident. The steering wheel and insturment cluster are similar to the Accord, while the center console is similar to the Civic. Unlike the Civic however, the climate control is seperate and not embeded into Honda's Display Audio. Another difference is that the Insight has a button arrangement like the Accord instead of a shifter for the transmission. The overall look is handsome and it doesn't try to look futuristic like the Toyota Prius.

Powering the Honda Insight is a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine with an electric motor to produce 151 horsepower and 197 lb-ft of torque. Honda says the Insight will operate as a series hybrid in most conditions. What this means is that that the petrol engine produces electricity that goes to either the electric propulsion motor or the lithium-ion battery pack. Honda claims that the Insight has a fuel economy rating of 55 mpg city. This is comparable to Toyota's Prius which has a city rating of between 54 mpg to 58 mpg depending on model. The Insight will be manufactured at Honda's plant in Greensburg, Indiana. The plant also manufacturers Civics and CR-Vs. The 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine will be manufactured at Honda's Anna, Ohio engine plant. The same plant also produces the engine for the Accord Hybrid.

Honda Insight Hybrid
4-Door Sedan
Total System Output: 151 horsepower
Torque: 197 lb-ft of torque
Main Competitors: Hyundai Ioniq, Toyota Prius