Honda Insight vs. Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Honda Insight and Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Honda Insight and the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.
When we compare the Honda Insight's and the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid's specifications and ratings, the Honda Insight has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Honda Insight's and the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid's specifications and ratings, the Honda Insight is a better car than the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.
Pricing: A used 2021 Honda Insight ranges from $15,998 to $26,993 while a used 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is priced between $19,996 to $28,997.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Honda Insight loses 33.1 percent of its value and the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid loses 43.6 percent of its value. This means the Honda Insight retains 10.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Honda Insight’s base engine makes 151 horsepower, and the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid base engine makes 212 horsepower. The Insight is rated to deliver an average of 52 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 519 miles. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is rated to deliver an average of 42 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 327 miles. This gives the Honda Insight the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The Insight uses regular unleaded, and the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid uses electricity, regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, a hybrid midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Honda Insight, a hybrid compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Honda Insight has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,130
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$24,151
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$23,130 - $26,700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$28,642
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$26,570 - $33,400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,666
Price Range:
$15,998 - $26,993
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$22,056
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$19,745 - $24,099
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
55
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
69,279
# Good or Great Deals:
11
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,990
Price Range:
$19,996 - $28,997
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$25,874
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$23,454 - $27,295
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
13
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
47,244
# Good or Great Deals:
2
Honda Insight Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Insight
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
9.9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
9.3 - 10.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
9.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
7.2 - 9.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.5 - 10.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
1.5 - 10.7
Honda Insight Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 25Ranking
9 out of / 25Ranking
11 out of / 25Ranking
12 out of / 25Ranking
19 out of / 25Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
6 out of / 11Ranking
7 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 25Ranking
9 out of / 11Ranking
12 out of / 25Ranking
12 out of / 25Ranking
16 out of / 25Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Honda Insight Trim Levels
EX, LX, Touring
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Trim Levels
Base, Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
151 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
197 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
212 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
55 / 49 / 52
Range (city/hwy):
583 / 519 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
44 / 40 / 42
Range (city/hwy):
355 / 327 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
97.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.3 inches
Cargo Space:
15.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
101.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2987 lbs
Width:
71.6 inches
Height:
55.6 inches
Length:
183.6 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4052 lbs
Width:
73.9 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
192.7 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Gray
Modern Steel Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Black
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Gray
Modern Steel Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Red
Crimson Pearl
Silver
Solar Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Beige
