Honda INSPIRE

The Honda INSPIRE is an executive sedan (B-segment car) under Dongfeng Honda, positioned as the brand's flagship saloon. The INSPIRE nameplate was first introduced to the Chinese market by Dongfeng Honda in August 2018. As of June 2026, the latest model on sale is the 2026 model year facelift petrol variant, offered in three trim levels: Elegant Edition, Elite Edition, and Jingyi Edition. Official retail prices range from RM182,800 to RM213,800; however, with exclusive limited-time promotional offers, the actual purchase price comes down to between RM128,800 and RM159,800. Key rivals to the INSPIRE include joint-venture mid-size sedans in the same class, such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, and Magotan.

Design Language

The INSPIRE adopts a sportier design approach, looking distinctly more youthful and dynamic than its platform-mate, the Accord. Up front, it sports a vertical waterfall slat grille flanked by wing-style full-LED headlamps with integrated sequential turn signals, offering a crisp, distinctive light signature. The range-topping Jingyi Edition also gains Active Cornering Lights (ACL), which illuminate the road based on steering input during cornering. The side profile serves as the visual highlight—its elongated proportions spanning nearly five metres (4,979 mm) combined with a fastback roofline deliver a striking coupe-like silhouette. Distinct dual character lines sweep from the front fenders through to the taillights, lending strong sculpted depth. The doors feature flush-mounted electrostatic touch-sensor handles, while the window surrounds and wing mirror caps are finished in gloss black. At the rear, an integrated ducktail bootlid spoiler complements the full-LED combination taillamps. In terms of dimensions, it measures 4,979 mm long, 1,862 mm wide, and 1,449 mm tall, with a 2,830 mm wheelbase. The drag coefficient is rated at approximately 0.28 Cd. 18-inch sports alloy wheels are standard across the range, with 19-inch alloys available as an option on the Jingyi Edition.

Inside, the INSPIRE embraces Honda’s signature minimalist and functional cabin layout, featuring a driver-centric centre console angled by roughly 8°, with tactile physical rotary dials retained for the climate control to ensure effortless operation on the move. High-touch surfaces, including the dashboard top and door armrests, are extensively trimmed in soft-touch padding. A 10.2-inch full-colour TFT digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch floating infotainment touchscreen are fitted as standard across the range. Both the steering wheel and gear selector are trimmed in genuine leather.

Powertrain & Performance

The 2026 petrol INSPIRE is powered across all variants by a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo direct-injection engine (L15CL Earth Dreams series). The unit pushes out 141 kW (192 PS / 189 hp) and 260 Nm of peak torque, with max torque sustained across a wide band from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Combined fuel consumption on the WLTC cycle is rated at 6.71 L/100 km. It comes with a 56-litre fuel tank and requires RON 92 petrol or above. The drive layout is front-engine, front-wheel drive (FF). Additionally, the INSPIRE lineup includes an e:PHEV plug-in hybrid variant equipped with the third-generation i-MMD dual-motor hybrid system.

Chassis & Handling

Underneath, the INSPIRE rides on front MacPherson struts (with aluminium alloy lower arms and an anti-roll bar) and a rear multi-link independent suspension setup (with an anti-roll bar). The 2,830 mm wheelbase translates to generous rear legroom and passenger space. Steering calibration feels light yet precise, making it remarkably nimble and easy to drive in daily conditions. Stopping power comes from ventilated front discs and solid rear discs, with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and Auto Brake Hold (ABH) standard across the lineup. Its minimum turning circle diameter is 11.5 metres.

Cabin & Features

On the equipment front, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch floating central display are standard across all variants. The infotainment runs Honda CONNECT 4.0, which supports driver facial recognition, intelligent voice command, 4G connectivity, OTA updates, along with Baidu CarLife and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. Standard kit across the range includes a leather steering wheel, keyless entry with push-button start, front-row keyless access, a powered sunroof, acoustic laminated front glass, rear air vents, and an integrated ETC unit.

However, equipment variance across the three 2026 INSPIRE trims is fairly stark. The base Elegant Edition (promotional price of RM128,800) is sparsely equipped, omitting the Honda SENSING ADAS suite (no ACC adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, or forward collision warning), dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, rear Type-C ports, and vanity mirror illumination. The mid-tier Elite Edition (promotional price of RM138,800) costs RM10,000 more and plugs these critical spec gaps. Meanwhile, the flagship Jingyi Edition (promotional price of RM159,800) adds premium appointments such as a 12-speaker BOSE audio system, Head-Up Display (HUD), genuine leather upholstery (with front seat heating/ventilation and driver seat memory), a panoramic glass roof, and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

Safety & Intelligent Driving

Safety remains one of the INSPIRE’s strongest selling points. In terms of passive safety, the sedan comes equipped with 10 airbags as standard across all variants, covering front dual airbags, front side airbags, rear side airbags, front knee airbags, and full-length curtain airbags. The bodyshell employs a high-tensile steel architecture, incorporating 1,500 MPa ultra-high-strength steel in critical crash structures.

Active safety and driver assistance features vary significantly by variant. The base Elegant Edition lacks Honda SENSING entirely. The Elite Edition and above receive the Honda SENSING suite as standard, bringing features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Blind Spot Information (BSI), and Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM). The range-topping variant steps up to the advanced Honda SENSING 360+ system—utilising 8 ultrasonic sensors, 5 millimetre-wave radars, and 6 cameras for comprehensive 360° environmental perception—which adds Highway Pilot Assist (including assisted car-following, lane change/overtaking assist, and automated curve/slip-road deceleration), Driver Emergency Response System (which automatically slows down, stops safely, and summons emergency help if driver incapacitation or drowsiness is detected), and Door Open Warning to prevent cyclist/door collision incidents.

Market Performance & Evaluation

As Dongfeng Honda's flagship saloon, the INSPIRE shares its underpinnings with GAC Honda’s Accord, yet a noticeable gap in sales figures persists between the twin models. Historical sales data indicates the INSPIRE peaked in 2022 at roughly 77,000 units, before dropping below 40,000 units in 2024, only to rebound to 48,552 units in 2025 on the back of aggressive price cuts. In May 2026, INSPIRE sales registered a 20.7% month-on-month growth. Nonetheless, with China's rapid NEV expansion and intensifying industry-wide price wars, Honda’s overall deliveries in China remain under substantial pressure.

The INSPIRE’s strengths lie in its athletic exterior styling, bulletproof 1.5T Earth Dreams powertrain, class-leading cabin packaging, and robust safety specification featuring 10 airbags. Conversely, its drawbacks are equally distinct: the cabin's tech quotient and perceived material quality trail similarly priced domestic Chinese rivals, high-speed NVH (notably tyre roar and wind noise) leaves room for improvement, and equipment tiering is somewhat rigid, with the entry-level spec shorn of essential Level 2 driver assistance systems. On balance, aided by steep limited-time promotional discounts, the 2026 INSPIRE presents a compelling proposition in the RM120,000 to RM160,000 bracket for buyers seeking a near-5-metre joint-venture executive sedan, delivering exceptional value for money.