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2021 Honda Insight

Skip the Honda Insight and Choose 1 of These Alternatives Instead

If you’re looking for a hybrid car, then the Honda Insight is most likely on your shortlist. Of course, the list of affordable hybrid cars currently on the market is a little short in itself, and the Insight is an excellent choice, but in case you’re having some trouble deciding, here are a few other …

If you’re looking for a hybrid car, then the Honda Insight is most likely on your shortlist. Of course, the list of affordable hybrid cars currently on the market is a little short in itself, and the Insight is an excellent choice, but in case you’re having some trouble deciding, here are a few other alternatives to Honda’s hybrid compact sedan.

The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid offers better highway fuel economy than the Insight

If you want to keep the more subdued approach with a hatchback flair, then the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid serves as a great alternative to the Honda Insight. The Ioniq is powered by a 1.6-liter engine that’s paired with an electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’s a unique setup for a hybrid, however, it does lead to EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 57 mpg in the city and 59 mpg on the highway, in its base trim-level form.

According to Car and Driver’s real-world testing, the Ioniq hybrid was able to get from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is much slower than their tested Insight’s 7.7-second run. But of course, you don’t buy a hybrid for its performance, so if you don’t care too much about the car’s slower acceleration, then you’ll enjoy a bump in fuel economy as Car and Driver was able to net over 50 mpg in the Ioniq.

Otherwise, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid also provides a spacious hatchback configuration that’s able to fit up to five occupants comfortably and has plenty of storage spaces as well. It also comes standard with Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well as an 8-inch infotainment screen for the lower trims, and a 10.3-inch option for higher trims.

A 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid shown in red
2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid | Hyundai

The Kia Niro is a hybrid with a crossover stature

If you want a hybrid that looks a little more like a crossover, then the Kia Niro hybrid is a great choice. It starts at around $24,500, around $1,000 more than the Honda Insight, however, it does offer 6.3-inches of ground clearance for some really light off-road driving as well as a host of standard features.

The Kia Niro comes standard with an 8-inch infotainment screen, Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, dual-zone climate control, and a fuel-sipping 1.6-liter hybrid powertrain. That hybrid powertrain produces 139 hp, which is able to scoot the hybrid crossover from 0 to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds, according to Car and Driver’s testing. And while it is slower than the Honda Insight, it’s able to muster up some stellar fuel economy numbers in the form of 51 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.

A 2020 Kia Niro shown in red, front shot.
2020 Kia Niro | Kia

And, of course, there’s the Toyota Prius

No list of hybrids would be complete with mentioning the option of the Toyota Prius. The Prius is arguably the Honda Insight’s arch-nemesis, and rightfully so, considering it offers a sensible hatchback shape and can achieve up to 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway according to the EPA. That’s right on par with the Honda Insight’s 55 mpg city rating and slightly better than its 49 mpg highway rating.

The Prius might cost a little more than the Honda Insight, but it still provides an excellent value proposition, which is why it’s been in the market for over 20 years and is still going strong. However, ultimately, it’s up to your personal needs to figure out which hybrid model will suit you best, especially considering all of these options are able to achieve stellar fuel economy numbers.

The Toyota Prius being driven
Toyota Prius | Toyota
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