Why is Honda discontinuing the Insight?

The short answer: Honda is retiring the Insight due to declining demand for a compact hybrid sedan, overlap with the Civic Hybrid, and a broader shift to electrification that favors popular crossovers and core models rather than niche, stand-alone hybrids.

More detail: The Insight, launched in North America as a refined hybrid sedan built on the Civic platform, faced limited demand in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers. Honda’s broader electrification plan emphasizes hybrid and electric variants of its best-selling models (Civic, CR-V, Accord) and forthcoming EVs, which led to consolidating the lineup and ending the Insight after its run as a dedicated hybrid. In the United States, Honda confirmed the model would discontinue after the 2020 model year, signaling a portfolio strategy rather than a single-model decision.

Industry context and model performance

Contextual background explains why a manufacturer would drop a model. The following list highlights several market and product factors that contributed to the decision.

• Limited market niche: The Insight occupied a compact, refined-hybrid niche in a segment that did not grow as quickly as SUVs.


• Overlap with Civic Hybrid: The Insight shared hybrid technology and underpinnings with the Civic Hybrid, creating internal competition for buyers seeking a practical hybrid without downsizing to a smaller model.


• Slow sales and pricing pressures: Even with strong fuel economy, demand for compact hybrids remained modest, making ongoing production less attractive from a cost perspective.


• Corporate portfolio optimization: Honda has prioritized electrified versions of its best-selling models, aiming to streamline development and production across a smaller, more impactful lineup.

Taken together, these factors illustrate why Honda chose to retire a standalone hybrid sedan in favor of a broader, more efficient electrification strategy centered on high-demand models.

Honda’s electrification strategy and model realignment

The second set of considerations explains how Honda plans to realize its broader shift toward electrified propulsion. The company emphasizes integrating hybrid and electric variants into its core lineup rather than maintaining a standalone hybrid sedan.

• Focusing on best-sellers: The Civic, CR-V, HR-V, and Accord receive hybrid or e:HEV variants to spread electrification where demand is strongest.


• Expanding electric vehicle options: Honda aims to broaden its EV lineup to meet regulatory and consumer expectations for zero-emission transportation.


• Cost and development efficiency: A leaner product portfolio reduces engineering, validation, and production costs while enabling faster updates to popular platforms.


• Global market considerations: Regional market dynamics influence whether a dedicated hybrid model makes sense, prompting region-specific realignments of the lineup.

These factors reflect a broader industry trend: automakers are consolidating electrified offerings around best-selling platforms to maximize impact and reduce complexity in a rapidly changing market.

What replaces or complements the Insight in Honda’s lineup?

For buyers seeking efficient hybrids, Honda points to several alternatives within its current model lineup. The company argues these options offer similar or better efficiency with broader utility or newer technology.

Hybrid options in Honda's lineup

• Civic Hybrid: Shares the same hybrid powertrain family as the Insight but packaged in a more widely popular compact car with broader appeal.


• CR-V Hybrid: A practical compact SUV that pairs strong fuel economy with interior versatility, appealing to families and active buyers.


• Hybrid variants of other core models: Continued electrification across core products ensures buyers have access to electrified options without relying on a niche sedan.

As Honda advances its electrification push, the brand expects customers to migrate toward hybrids and EVs integrated into its best-selling vehicles rather than niche models that targeted a narrower audience.

Summary

In short, the Insight’s discontinuation reflects a strategic portfolio realignment aligned with shifting consumer preferences toward crossovers and higher-demand models, while expanding electrified options within Honda’s core lineup. The move underscores Honda’s focus on scalable electrification across its most popular vehicles rather than maintaining a standalone hybrid sedan.

What is the common problem in Honda Insight?

Common problems for the Honda Insight include hybrid battery degradation, CVT transmission shudder, and issues with the automatic emergency brake system and headlights. Other frequent complaints involve the climate control system (specifically the AC compressor and blower motor), engine performance issues, and various electrical problems like blank display screens and charging faults. 
Hybrid and electrical system problems 

• Hybrid battery failure: This is a very common issue, leading to warning lights, reduced acceleration, and decreased fuel economy. 
• Electrical system faults: Owners report various issues, including error messages, battery charging problems, and faults with the 12V battery that can prevent the engine from restarting. 
• Automatic emergency brake: The system has been linked to problems and complaints, including false alerts and issues with forward collision avoidance. 
• Headlight problems: Dipped beam headlights can fail, sometimes due to heat damage to the switch or wiring. 
• Display screen issues: Blank screens, freezing, and reboots on the infotainment or navigation screen have been reported. 

Powertrain and engine issues 

• CVT transmission shudder: A common complaint is a shaking or shuddering sensation during acceleration, often due to a worn start clutch in the CVT.
• Engine hesitation or surge: This can be caused by issues like clogged EGR passages.
• Rough idle: A faulty EVAP emission control solenoid can cause the engine to idle roughly.
• Fuel system: Problems with the fuel cap and filler neck can trigger a "check engine" light. 

Other common problems

• Climate control: Issues with the AC compressor, blower motor, and refrigerant leaks have been reported. 
• Body and paint: Some models have experienced paint issues like chipping or peeling, and there have been reports of the hood vibrating or shaking at highway speeds. 
• Brake system: The regenerative braking system can sometimes feel spongy or less responsive. 
• Structural issues: Some owners have reported the hood flipping up while driving, or even a moonroof exploding. 

This video discusses common issues with the Honda Insight, including problems with the automatic emergency brake, CVT transmission, and the hybrid battery: 50sVerdier 400YouTube · Feb 4, 2022

Who lasts longer, Toyota or Honda?

Both brands have a history of producing vehicles with fewer major issues, longer lifespans, and lower repair costs compared to some other brands. According to a study published in April of 2023 by iSeeCars.com, eight of the top 23 longest-lasting vehicles are made by Toyota, while four of the top 23 are made by Honda.

Why did Honda quit making the Insight?

The Honda Insight was discontinued due to a strategic shift to focus on hybrid versions of its core models, like the Civic and CR-V, and changing customer preferences. By discontinuing the standalone Insight, Honda could streamline its hybrid lineup and increase production volume for its more popular and mainstream hybrid offerings. 
Here are the key reasons for the discontinuation:

• Focus on core models: Honda decided to concentrate on hybrid versions of its most popular models, such as the Civic and CR-V, rather than a dedicated hybrid model. The Insight was replaced by a new Civic Hybrid. 
• Streamlined hybrid lineup: The move was part of a larger strategy to make hybrid technology more accessible and to simplify the brand's product offerings. 
• Changing customer preferences: Customer preferences were shifting towards more fuel-efficient SUVs and away from a dedicated hybrid sedan like the Insight. 
• Low sales relative to other models: The Insight sold in much smaller numbers compared to models like the Civic, making it less economically viable to continue producing as a standalone model. 
• Opportunity to increase hybrid volume: By making the Civic and Accord hybrid, Honda expects these models to represent a much larger portion of their sales mix, helping them meet their electrification goals. 

What is replacing the Honda Insight?

In April 2022, Honda announced that the Insight would be discontinued after the 2022 model year, with production ending in June. It was replaced by a new Civic Hybrid.