What engine is in a Honda Insight?
The latest Honda Insight is powered by a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with Honda’s two-motor hybrid system, delivering a combined output of about 151 horsepower. This setup emphasizes efficiency and smooth, quiet operation rather than high performance.
The Insight has evolved across its generations, shifting between small gas engines and various hybrid architectures. This article explains the current engine and hybrid system, and places it in historical context with earlier Insight models.
Current generation: engine and hybrid system
The modern Insight uses a 1.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine that operates on the Atkinson cycle, combined with Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system. The engine can power the car directly or operate as a generator to recharge the battery, while two electric motors handle propulsion and assist. The vehicle can run in electric-only mode at lower speeds, but there is no plug-in capability—the battery is charged through regenerative braking and engine operation.
Key characteristics of this configuration include a single fixed gear ratio and a seamless blend of electric and gasoline propulsion, aimed at maximizing efficiency and everyday usability rather than outright speed. The system’s overall output is commonly cited as roughly 151 horsepower when combining gas and electric power.
Because the system does not use a conventional multi-gear transmission, torque from the electric motors contributes to quick, smooth acceleration, especially at low speeds, while the gasoline engine supports longer-range driving and higher-speed cruising.
Engine details by generation
To place the current engine in historical context, here is a snapshot of how the Insight’s powertrain has evolved.
- First generation (1999–2006): a small-displacement gasoline engine paired with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system.
- Second generation (2009–2014): a 1.3-liter inline-four gasoline engine with IMA hybrid system.
- Third generation (2019–present): a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine paired with the two-motor i-MMD hybrid system.
Across these generations, Honda has emphasized efficiency and practicality, with each transition reflecting advances in hybrid technology and emissions standards. Owners of older Insights should verify the exact powertrain configuration for their model year.
Why the engine setup matters for buyers
The engine choice directly influences fuel economy, maintenance needs, and daily usability. The current 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, paired with i-MMD, is designed to maximize efficiency in mixed driving, provide quiet electric-drive at low speeds, and minimize fuel costs for typical urban trips. Since the Insight is not a plug-in hybrid, battery charging relies on regenerative braking and engine-driven charging rather than external charging.
Summary
The Honda Insight’s engine has shifted over its generations. Today, it combines a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with Honda’s i-MMD two-motor hybrid system to deliver around 151 horsepower combined, with electric motors handling much of the low-speed propulsion and assist. Earlier Insights used smaller gas engines with the IMA hybrid system. The current configuration prioritizes efficiency, smooth operation, and everyday practicality without requiring external charging.
