It’s Now An Electric Crossover

Honda’s first mass-produced hybrid makes an unexpected return four years after the previous-generation model was retired. Once again, the body style is changing, morphing into a crossover after the original coupe made way for a hatchback and then a sedan. While preceding models were all hybrids, there’s no combustion engine this time around.

The Insight has been reinvented as a purely electric crossover with edgy styling, though not as angular as models in the Honda 0 Series. Boomerang-shaped lights at the front and rear remind us of Stellantis’ DS Automobiles brand, while light bars at both ends tick the design trends of 2026.

We can’t help but notice some striking similarities with EVs sold in China. Specifically, the new Insight appears to be cut from the same cloth as the e:NS2, a battery-electric crossover launched by the Dongfeng Honda joint venture in 2024. The interior is also awfully familiar, featuring the same dashboard layout. We’ll let these side-by-side images do the talking.

For now, the Japanese automaker remains tight-lipped about most of the technical specifications. Honda does quote a driving range of more than 311 miles (500 kilometers), albeit under the more lenient WLTC cycle. The electric motor produces 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque, and there’s even a dedicated Sport mode for quicker acceleration and augmented “sound effects.”

Predictably, that torque figure perfectly matches what you get in the e:NS2. Honda’s Chinese electric crossover has a front-mounted motor producing 201 horsepower and draws its juice from a 68.8-kWh battery pack. It’s rated at 339 miles (545 km) of range in the CLTC cycle.

As it’s the norm with Chinese cars, the interior is loaded with features, ranging from electrically adjustable front seats to a perfume dispenser. A 12.8-inch touchscreen joins a 9.4-inch digital instrument cluster, while the absence of dedicated climate controls betrays this Honda’s Chinese roots. There are still a handful of buttons, but not nearly as many as in the brand’s global models.

The list of equipment includes a 12-speaker Bose sound system, ambient lighting, a head-up display, and ventilated front seats. The electric sunroof is small by 2026 standards, but at least it has one. Other goodies include a heated steering wheel and reclining rear seats. Additionally, a front-facing camera records footage, which comes in handy in case of an accident.

The reborn Insight goes on sale in Japan this spring, with Honda set to begin taking reservations on March 19.

Motor1’s Take: Honda’s resurrection of the Insight has honestly caught us by surprise. The company doesn’t say where the EV will be built, but we wouldn’t rule out sending it from China to Japan. The company’s sales in the world’s largest market continue to decline, which could explain an attempt to keep the lights on at the Chinese factory by exporting cars to other markets.