Honda Insight Vs. Toyota Corolla Hybrid: Which Is Better?
Both the Honda Insight and Toyota Corolla are respected hybrid cars. Which one offers more for you though?
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
- Pricing
- Performance
- Fuel efficiency
- Technology
- Reliability
- Interior
- The final word
- How to find cheap car insurance for a hybrid sedan
- FAQ
Load full table of contents
The 2022 Honda Insight beats the Toyota Corolla hybrid LE pretty soundly across the board, with more engine power and better long-term value.
Let’s be honest: Compact economical sedans all look kind of the same. It used to be that hybrids had their own distinct appearance to them, but now they’re blending in with the pack as well. Both the Insight and the hybrid Corolla come from popular Japanese manufacturers, and both have a solid reputation for reliability and value.
If you’re trying to discern what makes the Toyota Corolla hybrid LE different from the Honda Insight, you’re in luck.
Jerry
, the top-rated car insurance
app, is here to help tease out the details that make these two hybrid sedans distinct. And while we’re at it, we’ll also cover how to get a great deal on your Honda or Toyota car insurance
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Pricing
In the case of the Corolla, there’s just one version to be had. The hybrid version of the
Toyota Corolla
is offered as a mid-level trim option in the larger Corolla model, while the Insight is its own distinct creature. Both are economically priced, but the lower of the two trim levels on the Insight starts a little bit higher than the Corolla, going up from there.Here’s a quick look at the pricing info for the 2022 hybrid Corolla and the trim levels of the Insight.
Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
2022 Toyota Corolla hybrid LE | $25,145 |
2022 Honda Insight EX | $26,855 |
2022 Honda Insight Touring | $30,855 |
If we’re just talking about initial MSRP, then the Corolla beats the Insight by anywhere from about $1,500 to more than $5,000. But we all know that ownership costs don’t end at the dealership! Let’s take a look at the projected five-year ownership costs of the Toyota and the Insight EX and see what the future holds.
According to Edmunds, the Toyota Corolla hybrid’s ownership costs will add up to $27,689 over five years. This includes an estimated $3,683 for maintenance and $4,987 for insurance. When we look at the Insight EX, we see a projected five-year ownership cost of $26,133. This is with $3,569 for maintenance and $4,960 for the
Honda Insight insurance cost
. Here’s where it gets interesting: The Corolla may be less expensive up front, but the Insight is a much better deal in the long run. In fact, Edmunds calculates that the Insight Ex’s true cost to own is actually less than its MSRP. Go figure.
Performance
The Insight edges out the Corolla here as well, thanks to a more powerful engine and faster acceleration.
So neither of these is going to be a speed demon, but if you're looking for the option with the most power, it’s going to be the Honda. The Insight’s hybrid 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine is capable of producing 151 horsepower and 99 lb-ft of torque. The Corolla has a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder hybrid setup that can kick out 121 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque.
Manual transmission is the only option for both of these cars, and there aren’t any engine upgrades available. As Mom used to say, you get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.
Acceleration will be quicker with the Insight, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.1 seconds, versus the Corolla’s 10 seconds. Reviewers found the Insight more fun and engaging to drive as well, with a sportier feel and better handling overall. The one negative with the Insight: The gas engine sounded a little rough and rumbly around the edges.
Fuel efficiency
When it comes to fuel efficiency, both of these cars are neck and neck. Here’s what the EPA has to say:
Model | Engine | Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined) |
|---|---|---|
2022 Toyota Corolla hybrid LE | 1.8L four-cylinder hybrid | 53/52/52 mpg |
2022 Honda Insight | 1.5L four-cylinder hybrid | 55/49/52 mpg |
The Insight does a bit better in the city, while the Corolla has a slight edge on the highway. But they both have a thoroughly enjoyable average of 52 mpg. Potato, potato.
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Technology
With just one fairly plain version of the hybrid Corolla available and only two trim levels offered on the Insight, you’re not exactly going to be swimming in options. And remember kids: We’re in Economy Sedan Land, so adjust your expectations accordingly.
The good news is that both of these cars come standard with a generous amount of driver assistance tech, and include some nice features like adaptive cruise control, which you don’t often see at this price point. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on both. While the Corolla only comes in one flavor, there are some available upgrade options like wireless charging and a premium sound system.
The infotainment system on the Insight had mixed reviews. Some found it overly complicated, while others found the interface snappy and streamlined. If you’re considering an Insight, it might be worth your time to play with the system a bit and see if it’s to your liking.
Reliability
Broadly speaking, both Toyota and Honda have a reputation for being makers of reliable cars. RepairPal gives both of these brands an above-average 4 out of 5 rating, with Honda ranked No. 1 among all brands and Toyota coming in at No. 8.
However, the folks at J.D. Power would beg to differ—they ranked Toyota at number five overall in terms of dependability, while Honda slid down the list to number 25. They gave the 2022 Insight a predicted reliability score of 78/100 (average), while the Corolla earned an 85/100 (great).
So…what to do with this? The reality of the situation is that both of these makers have a strong reputation for producing reliable vehicles, no there’s not really a bad choice per se. In the end, it’ll come down to personal preference and what you’re most comfortable with.
Interior
Both of the interiors here are functional and well-designed, though not terribly fancy. The Insight gains points for having better interior storage (think cubbies and consoles), and a more upscale feel overall.
So how much stuff (and people) can you fit in these guys? Check out the table below to see the cargo volume, legroom, and headroom measurements for the Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE and both trims of the Honda Insight.
Measurement | Toyota Corolla hybrid LE | Honda Insight EX | Honda Insight Touring |
|---|---|---|---|
Cargo volume | 13.1 cubic feet | 15.1 cubic feet | 14.7 cubic feet |
Headroom (front seats) | 38.3 inches | 39.3 inches | 37.5 inches |
Legroom (front seats) | 42.3 inches | 42.3 inches | 42.3 inches |
Headroom (rear seats) | 37.1 inches | 36.9 inches | 36.6 inches |
Legroom (rear seats) | 34.8 inches | 37.4 inches | 37.4 inches |
The Insight offers more cargo room, and it looks like passengers in the back seats will have more room to stretch out their legs as well. Going on a road trip? Take the Insight.
The final word
Even though the Hybrid Corolla is less expensive up front, that’s about the only area where it’s a clear winner versus the Honda Insight. Overall, the Insight is a better choice for performance, comfort, and long-term value. If you want more features and a cushier overall feel, then opting for the Touring trim might be worth the extra money.
It’s worth mentioning that 2022 will be the last year that Honda is offering the Insight, so if this is the car that you want, best get to the dealership ASAP.
How to find cheap car insurance for a hybrid sedan
While hybrids are an economical choice as far as fuel consumption goes, they can sometimes pose some unique challenges when it comes to finding
cheap car insurance
. Parts and repairs can be more expensive for some hybrids, and coverage might be a little higher as a result. But when you have super app
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FAQ
Is a Honda Insight bigger than a Toyota Corolla hybrid?
The Honda Insight is slightly longer than the Toyota Corolla hybrid, with a measurement of 183.6 inches to the Corolla’s 182.3. However, both of their wheelbases measure the same at 106.3 inches.
Which is better on gas, the Corolla hybrid or the Insight?
Both the Corolla and the Insight get an average 52 mpg combined. The Insight is slightly better in the city, but the Corolla does a tiny bit better on the highway.
Is the Honda Insight more expensive than the Toyota Corolla hybrid?
While the Toyota Corolla hybrid has a lower MSRP than the Insight, the Insight has a lower cost to own over five years, making it a better deal in the long run.
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