Is a Honda Hybrid Worth It?

Honda offers three models with hybrid variants—the Accord, the CR-V, and the Insight. Everything you need to know about all three Honda hybrid models starts here.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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Honda offers three hybrid models: the Accord, the CR-V, and the Insight. However, 2022 is the last year for the Insight—we here at Jerry have heard through the bonsai line that Honda is working on a
new Civic hybrid
. At the moment, Honda does not offer a plug-in electric hybrid model.
Honda has been in the hybrid game since 1999, when the original Honda Insight was released. While there are just three Honda hybrids currently on the market, the vehicles’ high-quality build, fuel efficiency, spacious interiors, and top-notch performance more than make up for Honda’s small hybrid offering.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about Honda’s hybrid vehicle lineup.

2022 Honda hybrid models guide

The Honda Accord is regarded by Car & Driver Magazine as Honda’s top hybrid offering, and this shouldn’t come as a surprise—C & D rates the 2022 Accord a sterling 10/10 across all its trim lines, including the hybrid. The magazine raves about the Accord’s quickness, terrific fuel economy, agility, spaciousness, and generous standard driver-assist technology and an intuitive driver infotainment system.
Of course, Honda offers two other highly-regarded hybrids—the
CR-V
and the
Insight
.
The table below breaks down each Honda hybrid model, along with pricing information and the fuel economy numbers for the base trim.
Model
Vehicle type
Starting price
Fuel economy (base trim)
Honda Insight
Sedan
$25,760
55 city/49 highway/52 combined mpg
Honda Accord
Sedan
$27,720
47 city/48 highway/47 combined mpg
Honda CR-V
SUV
$32,010
40 city/35 highway/37 combined mpg
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Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?

Well, Honda doesn't currently offer a plug-in hybrid, but who knows, they might one day! But what’s the difference between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid?
A plug-in hybrid usually has a bigger battery, allowing it to operate as a fully electric vehicle until its charge runs out—that’s when the gas engine kicks in. A hybrid, by contrast, carries both a gas engine and an electric motor, with the latter optimizing the former’s output. This results in a cleaner, more fuel efficient ride, and you get better gas mileage with a hybrid than a regular gas-powered car.
Honda hasn’t announced a fully electric vehicle yet, but the Insight’s production run ends in 2022, where it will make way for a Honda Civic hybrid.

The best Honda hybrid cars

Well, to be honest, all three of Honda’s hybrid vehicles are excellent. That being said, the right Honda hybrid for you will depend on your own needs and tastes. Here’s how Honda’s hybrid models measure up in terms of performance, reliability, and overall excellence.

Best Honda hybrid overall: Honda Accord hybrid and Honda CR-V hybrid

The Honda Accord hybrid sedan is an absolute standout. It offers practicality, style, quickness (0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds? Hello!), agile handling and excellent fuel economy. “Superb”, according to Car & Driver Magazine.
While the CR-V SUV isn’t as highly regarded as the Accord, this compact crossover is still worthy of adulation. It may not be a thrill to drive, but it offers lots of space, terrific fuel economy, a relaxing ride, and lots of standard driver-assist technology, not to mention an easy and intuitive infotainment system.
The soon-to-be-retired Insight? Another winner, with its efficient, comfortable ride and spacious interior. However the Insight’s acceleration isn’t much to write home about, and it can get noisy at high speeds.

Best used Honda hybrid: 2011 Honda Insight

If you’re on a tighter budget and are looking for a used hybrid, the 2011 Honda Insight is your best bet for a top-quality, used hybrid. It offers lots of cargo space, good performance, solid fuel economy, and high safety ratings.
That being said, you’ll want to stay away from the 2012 Insight. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2012 Insight was its worst year, as it suffered from significant engine problems and excessive oil consumption.

Best Honda PHEV: N/A

Currently, Honda does not offer a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
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Are Honda hybrids worth it? 

Here are a few of the reasons we think yes, Honda hybrids are worth it

Performance

Honda’s hybrid program may not be as well well-known as rival Toyota’s, but Honda has been at this since 1999. They know a thing or two, and Honda’s three hybrid models are considered close to the top of the hybrid heap.
Honda’s hybrid models have proven to be fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives to their gas-powered vehicles. The Accord loses very little (if any) of its bonafides in the hybrid form, and is an excellent all-around vehicle, and a quick one at that. The CR-V is not as fast as the Accord, but it still offers lots to get excited about, from a smooth, relaxing ride, lots of space, and loads of standard driver-assist technology.
The bottom line: If anything, Honda’s fantastic hybrid line makes the Japanese automaker’s gas-powered cars look good.

Reliability

According to J.D. Power, Honda’s CR-V and Accord hybrids score 84/100 and 82/100 and, respectively, giving them a grade of great in terms of reliability. The Insight sedan is seen as slightly less reliable, with a grade of 78/100, or merely average.

Cost of ownership

So, how do Honda hybrid vehicles compare to their gas-powered peers in terms of cost of ownership?
Let’s take a look at the gas-powered Accord LX (the base gasoline trim), and the Accord hybrid EX. The total cash price for the gas-powered Accord is $31,565, but Edmunds calculates the true cost of ownership (over 5 years) as $37,675. Here’s how this breaks down:
  • Insurance: $6,237
  • Maintenance: $4,037
  • Repairs: $917
  • Financing: $2,783
  • Taxes and fees: $3,574
  • Fuel: $11,378
  • Depreciation: $8,749
In comparison, the true cost to own for the Accord hybrid is $40,559, but its total cash price was actually $33,708. 
What does this mean? Despite Honda’s excellent vehicles, it will actually cost you more over time to own these cars, both the hybrid and the gas-powered version. Which one is better for you? That depends. The hybrid’s higher sticker price might turn you off, but remember that its fuel costs are significantly lower than the gas-powered Accord ($7977 for the hybrid, and $11,378 for the gas-powered car). Which Accord is the better option? Ultimately, that’s up to you.
Another thing to know, however, is that you could take advantage of significant hybrid vehicle insurance discounts by going the Honda hybrid route.

How to get sustainable rates on car insurance

Whether you’re eyeing a Honda hybrid or a gas-powered version, you’ll want to protect your Honda with a robust
car insurance
policy by using
Jerry
!
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FAQs

Currently, no Honda hybrid vehicles qualify for federal tax credits.
Replacing a Honda hybrid battery is not cheap. RepairPal.com estimates that it will cost you roughly between $14,427 and $14,519.
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