Compare the2023 Lexus ESVS 2022 Honda Insight

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus ES have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Honda Insight doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Lexus ES has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Insight doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The ES has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Insight doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Insight doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The ES 250 AWD has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Insight doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The ES offers an optional Panoramic View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Insight only offers a rear monitor.

Both the ES and the Insight have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 Lexus ES weighs 612 to 780 pounds more than the Honda Insight. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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

	ES	Insight
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	120	202
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	54 lbs.

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 Lexus ES is safer than the Honda Insight:

	ES	Insight
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	85	220
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	264 lbs.	316 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	300	328
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	59 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	570 lbs.	617 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Insight has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The ES comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Insight’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Honda covers the Insight. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Insight ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The ES’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Insight’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

Engine

The ES 250 AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (203 vs. 151) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. ) than the Insight’s 1.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 64 more horsepower (215 vs. 151) than the Insight’s 1.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 151 more horsepower (302 vs. 151) and 267 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. ) than the Insight’s 1.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Honda Insight:

	ES	Insight
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	8.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.2 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	84 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The ES can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The Insight EX has to start its internal combustion engine after only 1 mile.

The ES Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Insight (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The ES’ standard fuel tank has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Insight (15.9 vs. 10.6 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the ES’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Insight:

	ES	Insight
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.1 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.2 inches

The ES stops shorter than the Insight:

	ES	Insight
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Insight (235/45R18 vs. 215/55R16).

The ES F Sport’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Insight Touring’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Insight EX. The ES F Sport’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Insight Touring.

The ES has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Insight; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The ES has standard front gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Insight’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The ES offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Insight’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The ES has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Insight doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Insight (113 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Insight.

Passenger Space

The ES has 2.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Insight (99.9 vs. 97.6).

The ES has .1 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 7 inches more rear hip room than the Insight.

Cargo Capacity

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the ES offers cargo security. The Insight’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the ES. The Insight doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the ES’ trunk can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Insight doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The ES uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Insight uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Honda. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 62% lower rating, Honda is ranked 25th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the ES, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Insight doesn’t offer a memory system.

The ES’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Insight doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The ES offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Insight doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the ES and the Insight have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the ES is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Insight prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The ES’ front and rear power windows all 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 Insight’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The ES’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Insight’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the ES offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Insight doesn’t offer cornering lights.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Insight doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

When the ES with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Insight’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The ES’ standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Insight offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the ES keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Insight doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the ES’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Insight doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The ES has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Insight Touring.

Both the ES and the Insight offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the ES has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Insight doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus ES offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Insight doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

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

The Lexus ES outsold the Honda Insight by over five to one during 2022.

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