The Insight, which debuted in December 1999, was a groundbreaking vehicle. Built from the ground up as a hybrid, it combined advanced technologies to achieve an unprecedented 70 mpg on the highway, a record that still stands for non-BEV (battery electric vehicle) automobiles. With its lightweight aluminum body, aerodynamically refined design, and innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™) hybrid powertrain, the Insight set a new standard in fuel efficiency. Its success marked the beginning of Honda’s hybrid legacy.
“Twenty-five years after making history with America’s first hybrid, hybrids now account for over a quarter of our total sales,” said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda Auto Sales. “Our hybrid models play a pivotal role in our strategy to achieve carbon neutrality and zero environmental impact by 2050.”
The first-generation Honda Insight remains the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered production car ever sold in the U.S., with an EPA rating of 61 mpg in the city and 70 mpg on the highway. Honda engineers leveraged advanced materials like aluminum and cutting-edge aerodynamic principles to make the Insight’s design as efficient as possible, pushing the boundaries of what was thought achievable in fuel economy.
Today, Honda’s hybrid offerings, including the Civic, Accord, and CR-V, are all powered by the company’s award-winning two-motor hybrid-electric system. These models are produced in North America, with the CR-V hybrid made in Ohio and Canada, and the Accord hybrid assembled in Ohio.
Looking ahead, Honda’s electrification strategy is clear: to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Hybrids will continue to play a key role as the company moves toward fully electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell technology. Honda’s hybrid models have already seen success, with the CR-V hybrid ranking as America’s best-selling hybrid vehicle in 2023. In the coming years, hybrids are expected to make up a larger share of sales, with the new 2025 Civic hybrid projected to account for up to 40% of Civic sales.
With over one million electrified vehicles sold to date, Honda has firmly positioned itself as a leader in the transition to sustainable mobility. The company recently introduced its first all-electric vehicle, the Honda Prologue, and plans to start production of next-generation EVs at its new EV Hub in Ohio in late 2025.
Honda’s continued focus on hybrid-electric and electric vehicles reflects its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, with new models and innovative technologies expected to shape the future of driving. As part of this vision, Honda will unveil the Honda 0 Series of fully electric vehicles starting in 2026, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in the company’s electrification efforts.