The Honda Insight returns as an EV crossover
What year is it again? From a potentially dangerous worldwide conflict in the Middle East to re-releasing old games and vehicles, we’re unsure if 2026 is just like the early 2000s.
Honda seems to be fondly looking back at the past by re-releasing old nameplates like the RSX, Prelude, and now, the Insight makes its triumphant return…as an EV crossover.
This model is historically important for Honda as it was the automaker’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The iconic first-generation model was a tiny subcompact sedan that featured a teardrop shape and closed-off rear wheels, all for an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.25.
The Honda Integrated Motor Assist hybrid powertrain mated a tiny 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine to a small electric motor, pioneering many of the hybrid technologies we take for granted nowadays. Afterwards, the second and third-generation models grew in size and became a five-door liftback, but the latter eventually was succeeded by the ever-popular Civic e:HEV as it was very similar in size and powertrain technologies.
The new electric Insight has an interesting design language that’s very edgy and looks more reminiscent of the China-only Honda Ye-series thanks to the “Y-shaped” LED signatures front and back.
It’s a low-slung five-door fastback with retractable door handles, 18-inch noise-reducing aluminum wheels, and a light-up Honda emblem in the middle, but it’s not the new Honda logo that will be used for its vehicles starting 2027. Honda has also developed a new color in Aqua Topaz Metallic II, a bright turquoise hue.
The interior also looks way more reminiscent of a Chinese Honda with lots of wide open spaces, black leather seats with red ambient lighting across the dashboard, a walk-through center console, a 9.4-inch digital driver’s display, and a 12.8-inch infotainment with the climate controls built into the system, mated to a 12-speaker Bose Premium sound system, and a fragrance system.
It’s odd that the horsepower output and battery size aren’t mentioned, but Honda says that the Insight has a WLTC range of more than 500km, a maximum motor torque output of 310Nm, and it can be used as an emergency power source during blackouts (V2H). It comes with both the Honda Sensing ADAS suite, the Honda Parking Pilot self-parking system, and the Honda Connect connected car system.
The car is set to officially launch in Japan later, and there’s a big chance that this will remain a Japanese exclusive. Would you want this model in the country if Honda Cars Philippines decides to bring in its first fully electric vehicle?
Photos from Honda
