All-New Honda Insight Expected to Get 55-mpg City Rating

Honda Motor Co. estimates that its new Insight hybrid sedan will have a U.S. fuel efficiency rating of 55 mpg in city driving.

Honda introduced a concept of the third-generation Insight in January at the Detroit auto show and will publicly unveil the production model on Wednesday at the New York auto show. U.S. sales of the 2019-model are due to start this summer.

The carmaker discontinued the second-generation Insight in 2014. Critics faulted that vehicle for not providing enough of fuel efficiency benefit over comparable models with traditional powerplants.

The all-new Insight compact sedan will share a platform with the Civic small car and be positioned between the Civic and Accord midsize sedan in Honda’s lineup.

Power will come from a 1.5-liter, Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine teamed with the two-motor hybrid system that Honda uses for the Accord hybrid sedan and Clarity plug-in hybrid. The previous Insight paired a small conventional engine with an electric assist system.

The 2019 Insight’s hybrid system produces a combined 151 hp and 197 lb-ft of torque, according to Honda. The vehicle uses MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link rear suspension. A variety of lightweighting techniques are employed, including an aluminum hood.

Among the car’s standard features are LED lighting, push-button ignition, heated side mirrors, a 7-inch digital display and smartphone connectivity. The top-level Touring edition adds 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, perforated leather-trimmed seats, navigation with real-time traffic information, 4G LTE connectivity and a premium audio system with 10 speakers.