What is the 0 60 on a Honda Insight EX?
The Honda Insight EX typically accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in the mid-7-second range, commonly around 7.5 seconds, with test results varying by year, condition, and method. The EX uses a hybrid powertrain with a CVT, and Honda does not publish an official 0-60 figure; independent tests provide the best sense of real-world performance.
In this article, we explain what the 0-60 figure means for the Insight EX, how its hybrid system works, what representative test results show, and the factors that can push times higher or lower in the real world.
How the Honda Insight EX accelerates
Powertrain and drivetrain
The Insight EX combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine in Atkinson-cycle operation with an electric motor, producing a combined output around 151 horsepower. Power is delivered to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) designed to optimize efficiency. The system prioritizes smooth, efficient acceleration rather than outright straight-line speed, making mid-range bursts and highway merging feel sprightly for a compact hybrid.
Representative 0-60 figures from tests
Automotive outlets measure 0-60 mph under controlled conditions, and the resulting times for the Insight EX tend to cluster in the mid-7-second range. Exact numbers vary by model year, tires, temperature, altitude, and testing methodology.
- Car and Driver, MotorTrend, and other outlets commonly report 0-60 times around 7.5 seconds for recent Insight EX models with the CVT.
- Edmunds and similar reviewers often list the figure in the mid-7-second range, with slight variation between test runs.
These figures should be treated as representative test results rather than manufacturer-stated specifications, and real-world times can differ based on conditions and driver input.
Factors that influence the measured 0-60
Several variables can noticeably affect how quickly the Insight EX reaches 60 mph in practice.
- Vehicle weight and cargo/passenger load, which add mass the hybrid system must accelerate.
- Tire type, tread depth, and road grip, which determine launch traction.
- Ambient conditions such as temperature, humidity, and altitude, which impact engine and battery efficiency.
- Battery state of charge and electric motor temperature, affecting the hybrid boost available at launch.
- Drive mode selection, throttle response, and the driver’s launch technique, as the CVT adapts to throttle input differently than a traditional automatic.
Because of these variables, your own 0-60 times may differ from test results reported by automotive outlets.
Summary
The Honda Insight EX is not a performance-focused model, but its hybrid powertrain typically yields 0-60 mph times in the mid-7-second range, around 7.5 seconds in many tests. Real-world results depend on conditions such as temperature, tires, load, and driving style. When evaluating acceleration, consider these times as representative rather than definitive, year by year.
