How much HP does a Honda Insight have?
The current Honda Insight delivers 151 horsepower in combined output. Across its generations, horsepower has varied due to different hybrid systems and engines.
This article explains how horsepower is distributed across the Insight lineup, with a focus on the latest model and a look back at earlier generations to show how the figure has evolved over time.
Current Honda Insight power rating
The latest Insight uses Honda’s i-MMD hybrid system, pairing a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 151 hp. Here are the key powertrain details:
What is the i-MMD hybrid system?
The Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system blends gasoline engine output with electric motor assist to optimize efficiency and performance. In the Insight, the system can drive the wheels primarily with electric power at low speeds and switch to the gasoline engine for higher speeds or additional power, all managed by an electronic CVT-style transmission.
- Combined system output: 151 horsepower (113 kW).
- Gasoline engine: 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4.
- Electric motor: provides assist and drive power within the i-MMD setup.
- Transmission: electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).
- Efficiency emphasis: designed to prioritize fuel economy while still offering confident acceleration for a compact hybrid.
In practice, this configuration delivers strong real-world performance for a non-engine-performance-focused hybrid, while remaining efficient for daily commuting and highway driving.
Power figures by generation
Honda has offered up to three generations of Insight powertrains, each with different outputs reflecting its technology and market focus. The figures below summarize typical or official numbers cited for each generation. Note that exact horsepower can vary by year, trim, and region.
- First generation (1999–2006): 67 horsepower from the gasoline engine; the electric motor provided assist, with the overall system commonly described as around 70–80 hp in total.
- Second generation (2009–2014): around 98 horsepower from the gasoline engine, with the hybrid system delivering roughly 110–113 horsepower combined.
- Current generation (2019–present): 151 horsepower combined (gasoline engine plus electric motor) from the 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine paired with the i-MMD hybrid system.
In short, horsepower has increased through the generations as Honda refined the hybrid technology, culminating in 151 hp for the latest Insight in most markets.
Bottom line
For buyers prioritizing efficiency with capable around-town performance, the current Honda Insight offers 151 hp in combined output, powered by a refined hybrid system. Earlier generations delivered lower totals, reflecting the technology and design goals of their times.
Summary
The Honda Insight's horsepower has evolved from roughly 70–80 hp in its first generation to about 110–113 hp in the second generation, and up to 151 hp in the current generation. If you’re shopping, check the model year and market to confirm the exact figure for a given Insight you’re considering.
Which is Honda's fastest car?
The fastest production Honda car is the 2022 Honda NSX Type S, which can reach a top speed of 191 mph and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. If considering the fastest Honda ever built, that would be the Honda S Dream Streamliner, a specialized record-setting car that reached speeds of 262 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
You can watch this video to learn about the fastest Honda cars ever made: 1:30HotCarsFacebook · Jan 12, 2024
Production cars
- 2022 Honda NSX Type S: With a twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine, it has a top speed of 191 mph and an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds.
- 2016 Honda NSX: Matches the 191 mph top speed of the Type S, with 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
- 2023 Honda Civic Type R: This front-wheel-drive hot hatch has a top speed of 171 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds.
Record-setting car
- Honda S Dream Streamliner: This is the fastest Honda ever built, though it is not a production car. It reached a record speed of 262 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Are Honda Insights fast?
2022 Insight Photos
The electric motor feels torquey around town and makes for seamless and responsive acceleration. It's not fast, but at 8.1 seconds to cover 0-60 mph, it's quick among hybrids."
How much horsepower does a 1.3 L Honda Fit have?
99 hp
A 1.3-litre i-VTEC produces 100 PS (99 hp; 74 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 127 N⋅m (13.0 kg⋅m; 93.7 lb⋅ft) at 4,800 rpm.
How much horsepower does a Honda Insight have?
151 horsepower
Its combination of a gas engine and electric motors provides a combined 151 horsepower, which motivates the Insight from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
