Compare the2022 Honda InsightVS 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Insight deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Insight’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Elantra Hybrid’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Insight and the Elantra Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Insight its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 62 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Elantra Hybrid has not been tested, yet.

There are over 28 percent more Honda dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Insight’s warranty.

The battery on the Insight is under the floor, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Insight’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Elantra Hybrid’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Insight’s 1.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 12 more horsepower (151 vs. 139) than the Elantra Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Insight has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the Insight has larger tires than the Elantra Hybrid (215/55R16 vs. 205/55R16).

The Insight’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Insight has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Elantra Hybrid uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Insight uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Insight has .3 inches more front hip room and .4 inches more front shoulder room than the Elantra Hybrid.

The Insight has a larger trunk than the Elantra Hybrid Sedan (15.1 vs. 14.2 cubic feet).

The Insight’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Elantra Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Insight Touring’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Elantra Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Insight, based on reliability, safety and performance.