Honda's latest hybrid is making its Canadian debut later this week. The 2019 Insight will arrive at the Vancouver auto show when it opens on Wednesday, with Honda Sensing safety features standard.
The Insight will use a 1.5L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine combined with a two-motor electric hybrid system. It operates like the systems in the Accord Hybrid and Clarity Plug-in, where one motor is used for electrical generation, and the other puts power to the wheels. Combined power output is 151 hp and 197 lb-ft of torque.
Storing the electricity is a 60-cell lithium-ion battery pack. Honda hasn't released official fuel economy figures for the car yet, but Honda US estimated economy as good as 4.3 L/100 km city. The Insight will come with the back-of-the-wheel regenerative braking paddles found in the Clarity.
Honda will offer the Insight in two trim levels, Hybrid and Touring. Both get LED head and taillights, 17-inch alloys, and a 7.0-inch driver information display. Touring adds rain-sensing wipers, power moonroof, perforated leather, and an upgraded audio system with navigation. Both trims get Honda Sensing as standard, which includes forward collision warning and braking, lane departure warnings with lane keeping assist, and radar cruise control.
The car is positioned as a premium compact, between the Civic and Accord price wise. It offers styling that looks like a pleasant blend between those two vehicles. It is Civic-sized, with the two sharing a 2,700 mm wheelbase, and the Insight's 427L trunk is just one litre smaller than most Civic models.
The Insight will arrive at dealers this summer. Expect pricing and fuel economy closer to then.
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