Compare the2022 Honda InsightVS 2022 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 side 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Insight is safer than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Insight is safer than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 80 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Elantra Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

There are over 29 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Insight’s reliability 32 points higher than the Elantra Hybrid.

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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Insight is faster than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Insight EX gets better fuel mileage than the Elantra Hybrid Limited (55 city/49 hwy vs. 49 city/52 hwy).

The Insight can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1 miles. The Elantra Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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.

The Insight stops shorter than the Elantra Hybrid:

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.

The Insight EX handles at .87 G’s, while the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Insight Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan (27 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

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).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Insight easier. The Insight’s trunk lift-over height is 26.5 inches, while the Elantra Hybrid’s liftover is 28.4 inches.

The Insight’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Elantra Hybrid’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Insight has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 rated the Insight’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Elantra Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Insurance will cost less for the Insight owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Insight will cost $835 less than the Elantra Hybrid over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda Insight and the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.