Compare the2022 Honda InsightVS 2022 Lexus ES

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 ES’ side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Insight and the ES have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 Lexus ES:

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 Lexus ES:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Insight, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.2% less likely to roll over than the ES, which received a four-star rating.

There are over 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much 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 ES’ 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 19 points higher than the ES.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Insight is faster than the ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Insight gets better mileage than the ES:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Insight higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus ES (5 to 7). This means the Insight produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ES every 15,000 miles.

The Insight stops much shorter than the ES:

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 ES doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Insight EX handles at .87 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Insight Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (27 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Insight’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the ES’ (35.7 feet vs. 38 feet). The Insight’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the ES w/18-19” wheels’ (35.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Honda Insight may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the Lexus ES.

The Insight is 1 foot shorter than the ES, making the Insight easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Insight has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

The Insight has a much larger trunk than the ES (15.1 vs. 13.9 cubic feet).

The Insight’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Consumer Reports rated the Insight’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the ES’ 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 $440 to $8545 less than the ES over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Insight will be $14336 to $20899 less than for the Lexus ES.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and they ranked the Honda Insight Touring higher than the Lexus ES 300h.