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The fueleconomy.gov websight list two types of Insight. Their terminology is:

Auto(AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Regular Gasoline
and
Automatic (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Regular Gasoline

I assume the AV-S7 is the EX with the paddle shifters? The interesting part is the "MPG estimates for drivers like you". For the AV-S7 it is 49.6 mpg and for the "variable gear ratios" it is 46.2. This is what I consider a significant difference.

Is there really that big of a difference?

Thanks,
Frank

I always take fe.gov's "drivers like you" estimates with a massive grain of salt. Often the same car will vary by several mpg from one year to the next. Even 14-15 data points for each variant is going to give you an estimate that's only valid +/- several mpg.

Click the "View Individual Estimates" just under the average estimate link for each variant, and you can see the distribution of the numbers. Sometimes one or two outliers of extreme high or low mpg can throw the whole average way off. I don't see that in this case, but it doesn't mean the EX actually gets better mileage than the LX.

The official ratings for both variants are the same, but if you really are looking into insight (so to speak) about whether there is a difference in mpg, look at the "unadjusted" figures in the downloadable datafile on the fe.gov website. The AV-S7 version actually got 0.3mpg less than the AV version on the urban cycle, 1.0mpg more on the highway cycle. The "unadjusted combined" figure (FWIW, the one used for CAFE ratings) is 57.43mpg for the "AV" model, 57.66mpg for the "AV-S7" model.

Presumably the continuous variability of the AV version helps slightly in town when you're accelerating a lot, and maybe the AV-S7 benefits from being better at holding a steady ratio on the highway? I suppose if you do a lot of in-town driving and/or are a cheapskate (both apply in my case!) then the LX might have more appeal. If you do a lot of highway driving (and want cruise control!) you might be better off with the EX.

These are very slight differences, and I highly doubt that the 3mpg "individual estimate" difference reflects a true difference in the mpg capability of the vehicles. Wait ... the LIGHT BULB JUST WENT ON for me. Aha! It may be that because of the availability of cruise control, EX buyers tend to have more highway in their daily driving on average than LX buyers. That would push the EX's reported numbers higher, and would fully explain the 3mpg difference.

My real question is, “am I interpretation their nomenclature correctly. Is the AV-S7 the EX?”

I guess I didn't make that clear, sorry.

After studying the data, i.e. "View Individual Estimates", it appears the actual city vs. highway is, for the given sample, approximately the same, 38% city for the AV-S7, 36% for the other. For the margin of error of this completely un-controlled statistical study that is almost identical. However, the 7% difference in fuel economy is significant. I was wondering if people that drive each type have performed comparisons here. Do these comparisons indicate this level of difference?

For my personal choice, I would buy the EX if I let my "cheapskate" rule; I would buy the Prius otherwise. The upscale version, typically, will have much better re-sale. I am not in it for the short term. If I was I would buy some old clunker that would pollute like crazy and not worry about it.

BTW, my HCHII made 62 mpg on my commute today:). This is my best since the rear A-arm was reworked and I put on new tires approximately 8 months ago:confused:. I do need a Hatchback in the family stable; the no pass through trunk of the HCHII is too limiting when I go the Home Depot.

Frank

I would think that one is CA emissions and the other is the rest of the country. Remember CA emissions is AT-PZEV

the AV-S7 stands for Auto Variable, Simulated 7...this is the EX model with padel shifters that has a simulated 7 speed mode.