As far as color goes, Honda could bring the Black Style edition(Rose Black pictured), of the Insight to the US. It looks kind of dark purple to me with a bronze flying wing grill instead of chrome.

They also have a crystal red.

If you aren't in a rush, waiting for the 2020 model wouldn't be a bad idea, considering you could always opt for the 2019 model at a lower price, when dealerships try to clear them out.

 

Does Honda routinely introduce new colors or new color options in a second year?

Looking to the current Civic sedan as a precedent, Honda kept the same exterior colors from 2016-2018, until mid-model refresh in 2019. They added an orange/rust color (Molten Lava Pearl) and consolidated the white color (Platinum White Pearl). The colors aren't new or unique, though; they are offered on other Hondas like the CRV/Accord, and were added to the Civic's line-up.

It will be interesting to see if the 2020 US model includes enhancements that were given to the Japanese market, OR if the US model won't get those updates until model refresh (2-3 years out?).

 

Does anyone know where the Japanese-model Insight is produced?
- Is the Japanese model built in Indiana, with US models?
- Or is it produced in Japan?
Knowing this might provide 'insight' as to whether the 2020 US Insight can realistically get some of the Japanese enhancements.

 

I think it is produced here in the US. The previous 2 generations were produced in Japan. I have been browsing the Honda Japan website and it seems like they get better/more options there.

The CRV in Japan has the option of 7 seats and a hybrid version which kind shocks me that they don't offer it here.

They also have a Civic looking car called the Honda Grace Hybrid with a unique passenger seat.

So now I know Honda has 4 cars using the same hybrid system. Insight, CRV, Accord, and Grace. :smile:

 

2020 Insights?

When does Honda release the newer models. I'm eyeballing 2019 Insights and can hang on for a few more months if needed. I'll either grab me a good deal on a 2019 then or go 2020 if they upgrade a few things that warrant the difference.

Thanks.

 

I bought my 2019 the day they were introduced, June 30, 2018. I don't know for sure, but I think the 2020 models would be about the same time or maybe in July.

 

What number Insight did you get(It's the last 6 digits on the VIN)? :surprise:

 

My VIN (last 6 numbers) for my EX purchased June 30, 2018, the day they hit the dealer lots last year, is 002352. What does this mean?

 

Last six digits of your VIN is the build number. You have insight #2352!

 

Cool, I guess I got number 400138. So number 138.

 

And my White Orchid Pearl Touring is #781

Pretty cool.

 

I think 138 is the leader on the forums. Mine is 7483!

 

Any whiffs of the 2020s coming yet?

 

Nothing 'official' posted yet, but if the 2020 Insight anniversaries the 2019 launch timing, the first official news/views should come out in the coming week. However, Honda might also delay the release date depending on the amount of unsold 2019 national inventory... if the Clarity is a precedent.

Neither American Honda nor Honda dealers have advertised 2020 models yet; likely trying to maximize 2019 sales/clearance first. Honda also typically releases new incentives on/after the July 4th Independence Day holiday, to help move inventory. If history is any predictor for the future, these were the release months for 2019 models:

JFM: Passport (Feb), Ridgeline (Mar)
AMJ: Fit (Apr), Odyssey (Apr)
JAS: Insight (Jul), HR-V (Jul), Pilot (Jul)
OND: Civic (Nov), Accord (Nov), CR-V (Nov), Clarity (Dec-Mar)

 

I've been searching YT for a sneak peek of a 2020 Insight, but all I get (so far) is people spoofing 2020 to get views (money).

If Blind Spot and Cross Traffic is really that important, I'd wait to see what happens. You always have end of year sales to back you up, but if a specific color or trim level is of interest, you might want to search for a dealer with those options now...and be ready to pounce before someone else nabs it.

The only feature that would get me to upgrade would be a "plug in" battery expansion option, where the expansion battery goes from the the bottom of the trunk to the top of the lower pass-thru lip. And the "plug door" is on the opposite side of the car's gas door for symmetry. THAT would be my dream Insight.

My fear is a refresh will ruin a perfectly executed design. I LOVE the way this car looks now. Messing with headlights or tail lights, chrome grills or any other aspect of this design would IMO ruin it.

Phil

 

I'm considering buying a car this week but it might be better to wait for the 2020 models...

 

Yes, good idea to be open to deferring purchase. It wouldn't hurt to pre-shop and look at the 2019 though, so when the 2020 comes out you can decide whether the new model and price are worth it... or to leverage that as negotiation point toward a deal on a 2019.

Honda hasn't shown any 2020 inventory or advertising yet on the Insight, HR-V or Pilot. I feel like they'll wait to announce until a week or so after the Independence Day sales/clearance that typically runs.

 

When we bought ours a month ago, the dealer said they didn't have any more 2019 on the way. I thought it was just a sales ploy, but I've looked at their inventory every week or so and it has only dropped since then. Might be worth watching stock on nearby dealer websites if you are close to a purchase. Also, if they are overstocked, keep an eye out for regional incentives, here it looks like the new ones start July 9th.

 

Okay so I lied.. I went in for July 4th and ended up purchasing the car. Got the EX for $23,700 OTD (ttl included) with some add-ons such as tint, trunk tray, splash guards, and door guards. How did I do? I probably could have gone lower.. This is my first time buying a new car and I had a bad experience with another dealership not taking me seriously being young and female.

 

Ha, no shame in buying early. Congrats on your new car! Technically the rest of us bought 1 year early. To help back-calculate the deal, what state did you purchase in and/or in particular, what is the tax rate for your area?

The invoice price for the EX is 23.3k (22.4k base + 0.9k destination), so including accessories, you were able to purchase the car below invoice at a minimum... which is always a good thing!

 

Here's what CarGurus currently shows for the 2019 Insight, before 0.9k destination fee is added to MSRP or Invoice:

LX trim -- MSRP = 22930 | Invoice = 21304
EX trim -- MSRP = 24160 | Invoice = 22442
Touring -- MSRP = 28190 | Invoice = 26173

Or with the $920 destination fee added:

LX trim -- MSRP = 23850 | Invoice = 22224
EX trim -- MSRP = 25080 | Invoice = 23362
Touring -- MSRP = 29110 | Invoice = 27093

 

Japan version of Insight EX with blind spot monitoring. There's no touring model in Japan, so their EX has more features than US EX, like fog light.

 

Yes, the top trim is referred to as "EX-Black" in Japan and has many features we'd covet in the US!

 

I've been watching a couple of the dealers in Colorado that still have 2019's for sale. It appears they aren't dropping the prices for them, though I'm not asking for their
best price. . . .