2012 Honda Insight – Now with a 42 mpgUS Combined Rating

[xcel]

44 mpgUS highway… Hmmm

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Oct. 17, 2011

2012 Honda Insight – Cleaner aero, a few more tidbits and a price increase. See our preview of the very affordable 2010 Honda Insight-II for more details as to how the past matches up with the present.

An updated 2012 Insight hybrid debuts today with a slightly enhanced exterior, interior, additional features on the high end models and an EPA fuel economy rating improvement of 1 mpg.

The Insight’s city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating of 41/44/42 mpgUS is up from the 2010/2011 ratings of 40/43/41 mpgUS and continues to offer the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a MSRP under $20,000. Under 20,000 USD is the base model that is unfortunately not a very desirable offering in this day and age let alone never found anyway.

For 2012, restyled bumpers and aero enhancements under the vehicle contribute to a 2-percent decrease in aerodynamic drag. Headlight and brake light internal reflectors are also new.

Insight and Insight LX models include new 15-inch wheel covers and the Insight EX has newly styled 15-inch alloy wheels. Slightly wider 185/60R15 tires, up from 175/65R15 tires on the prior model have also been added.

The Insight’s interior refinements for 2012 include a reconfigured rear seat area for better leg and head room; a redesigned gauge cluster background with a more technically sophisticated appearance; reshaped center-console beverage holders that accommodate larger drinks; and a more supportive front armrest (Insight LX and EX).

The Insight LX has new seat fabric, while the Insight EX is upholstered with a combination of synthetic leather (new) and premium fabric. Rear-seat headroom improves by 0.6 inches with changes to the rear headliner shape and deeper sculpting of the rear seat cushion to improve rear passenger comfort. Rearward visibility improves with a more compactly mounted rear-wiper motor housing and a thinner rear spoiler that creates a larger viewing area out the lower back window. The Insight becomes quieter for 2012 with increased thickness to the vehicle’s existing noise-insulation materials and additional insulation panels in the cargo area.

Available on Insight EX models, NAVI with voice recognition receives several upgrades including the addition of a rearview camera. The system provides routing and guidance to more than 7-million POI’s within the continental US. A 16-GB flash memory system replaces the 4.7-GB DVD-based system used on the prior model. The new system offers faster route calculation and includes FM traffic, a subscription-free service that alerts drivers to traffic conditions.

The Insight is powered by the same 1.3L i-VTEC with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) incorporating a 13 HP electric motor.

The Insight features the same Eco Assist that can enhance efficient vehicle operation if allowed to do so. Eco Assist can help drivers improve fuel efficiency, both by altering vehicle functionality and providing driver feedback, with fuel economy dependent on their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (if equipped). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-like background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green is good just like in the preview).

The Aero enhancements include changes to the shape of the engine bay underbody cover and the addition of air diffusers under the rear bumper to smooth airflow exiting behind the vehicle. The strakes ahead of the front wheels have been extended by 0.4 inches to better direct air around the wider front tires.

Safety

Standard safety features on all Insight models just like its predecessors include front, side and side-curtain airbags; ABS with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver’s and front-passenger’s active head restraints; and a front body structure designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. The Insight also features Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure.

The 2012 Insight’s three trims consist of the base model with a 160-watt, two-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, power windows, remote entry and more.

The Insight LX adds a four-speaker audio system, USB audio interface, armrest console, floor mats and a security system. New for 2012, the LX has map lights and steering wheel audio controls.

The Insight EX adds alloys, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an audio system with six speakers, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and more. For 2012, the EX gains Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, automatic headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Insight EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and rearview camera.

Where Honda continues to miss the boat is the lack of inclusion of Bluetooth HandsFreeLink in its lower trimmed base and LX trims. Given the market demographics of the Insight, is it not about time we see this important safety feature standard across the entire Honda lineup as many less expensive competitors automobiles do today?

New exterior colors include Frosted Silver Metallic and Truffle Pearl, which replace Clear Sky Blue and Crimson Pearl.

The Insight has won awards from J.D. Power and Associates for the "Highest Ranked Compact Car in Initial Quality in a Tie" in their 2011 Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) (the Insight tied with the Civic). In addition, the Insight was named a Top 10 Green Car by KBB. The Insight was also named one of the "Greenest Vehicles of 2011" by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

2012 vs. 2011 Honda Insight

Trim	Price	EPA FE Ratings (city/highway/combined mpgUS)
2012 Base Insight	$18,350	41/44/42
2011 Base Insight	$18,200	40/43/41
2012Insight LX	$20,125	41/44/42
2011Insight LX	$19,900	40/43/41
2012Insight EX	$21,815	41/44/42
2011Insight EX	$21,490	40/43/41
2012Insight EX with Navi	$23,540	41/44/42
2011Insight EX with Navi	$23,265	40/43/41

MSRP excludes tax, license, registration and $770 destination
which remains unchanged from 2011 to 2012.

The question I now have is can the refreshed Insight-II match the 75 + mpg that the 41 mpgUS highway rated Civic HF and 44 mpgUS highway rated HCH-III provided on our 96 mile test loop? Someday we will get a chance to find out

[Carcus]

What happened to ...
1. Modifications to CVT
2. Reduced drivetrain friction
3. Modifications to air conditioning (new cold storage)
4. Suspension adjustments

Previous EPA mpg predictions were 46-ish ..... did the U.S. spec not get all the improvements the Euro spec got??
Did Honda sacrifice some mpg in order to get a better ride/handling with the wider tires?

IF Honda did sacrifice some of the potential mpg gains for a better ride, it's probably a good sales move IMO. If they can't clear 50 mpg, there's probably very little marketing advantage to be gained. IOW, your average consumer doesn't care much about 46 mpg vs 41 mpg -- although 50 mpg would be a selling point. But they DO care about a quiet and responsive ride. That said, I wouldn't put it past the OEM's to sandbag their mpg's slightly in order to be able to improve each model year incrementally (i.e. this year 42, .. next year 43 ... etc).

/It will be very interesting to compare the SS mpg numbers on 2012 one vs. 2010/11. If US spec and Euro Spec are the same, I suspect you'll see a bigger difference than the EPA numbers are showing.

http://www.thetorquereport.com/2011/...ts_more_m.html

[WriConsult]

Overall the improvements seem good -- improvements to the rear blind spots are badly needed, and more noise insulation is always welcome in any car. That said, personally I thought the Insight was MUCH quieter than the Fit on the same rough stretch of freeway where I drove both cars back-to-back. I disagree with the consensus of the auto media that the Insight is a noisy car, but if the criticism caused them to make it even quieter I have no problem with that.

Personally I think the base model is by far the best value for those of us who still consider Nav a luxury. My only complaints are that I can't remember the last time I saw a car with only TWO speakers that didn't come from eastern Europe, but that's easily fixed in the aftermarket for a couple hundred bucks. And the lack of iPod control is ridiculous when Hyundai has standard USB interfaces on (I think) ALL their cars which can give you native iPod/iPhone control with a $40 cable. In any event, these audio deficiencies can be fixed for many times less than the ridiculous $1800 upcharge for the LX, and if Insight's hadn't already gone missing from most Honda lots by late April (meaning I could have negotiated one down to within $18k-ish), I would have been sorely tempted.

I would disagree that the base model is nonexistent. At least a couple were available on my local dealer lots as of last week. Contrast with the Level I Prius, which has always been genuinely nonexistent to normal buyers, or the Base model Fit with MT, which may exist but seems to be fantastically rare.

I still think the Insight's weak point is its very limited autostop durations, thanks presumably to its small IMA battery. The Insight I've driven won't stay shut down for even HALF of a typical stoplight cycle in my experience.

[Carcus]

Ok, well, I compared the spec sheets and from them there is very little difference.

Slight changes in weight , wheel track (prolly due to the tires) and final drive ratio (I'm assuming NOT due to the tires (i.e. they mean final drive ratio, not overall drive ratio) ... .

You'd think if they actually tweaked engine performance (friction) and CVT it would show up in the spec sheet somewhere (hp, tq, gear ratios). So, almost no mpg change is looking more likely., unless maybe there are A/C changes that help the auto-stop (which would not show up on the EPA tests -- and, I guess will not show up on Wayne's tests either because he's always A/C off).

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/ar...spx?id=6325-en

http://automobiles.honda.com/insight...fications.aspx

[WriConsult]

Looks like the only mpg-impacting changes are to the aerodynamics and possibly tires.

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

I didn't ask for wider tires ! Heck , I like the standard 14" skinnies that come on the 2012 Accent. I guess people expect a little more rubber on their $20K automobile.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

It's nice that they added some headroom in the back, but I still wouldn't ride back there:

[Carcus]

Continuing with some "weak sauce" optimism ....

You could make the argument that the 2012 Honda Insight will return a real world mpg with in 1 mpg of the gen iii Prius, .... and like ta here it go:

1. 2011 Insight euro cycle mpg: 53.5 mpg.
2. 2012 Insight euro cycle mpg: 57 mpg.
3. That's a 6.5 % imporovement over 53.5.
4. Fuelly.com user mpg on gen iii Prius: (48.7 + 47.5)/2 = 48.1 mpg
5. Fuelly.com user mpg on 2010/11 Insight: (44.2 + 44.2)/2 = 44.2
6. 44.2 x 1.065 = 47.1 mpg

There you have it. The 2012 Honda Insight will be within 1 real world mpg of the Prius.

Believe it, ....... or not.

[Indigo]

I totally love my 2010 Insight-II. I'd buy it again, assuming the car is still in production when mine wears out. I've been getting about 48 City and 51 Highway.

[xcel]

Hi Carcus:

While the Insight can be driven to Prius like FE numbers, it is not capable of maximum sustained numbers that the Prius can deliver. That includes professionals and non-professionals alike. When I drive my mom’s third gen Prius-III on her short routes (< 10-miles) around SW WI and NE IL, her Prius always allows 60 + in mid winter, 70 + in spring/fall and 80 + in mid-summer. The Insight-II cannot due that unless driven to very advanced levels at every turn and even than sometimes fails.

CleanMPG Previews the 2010 Honda Insight-II

The item that we have to be very careful with in the comparison is that the Insight is a mid-size compact whereas the Prius is a compact mid-size with a hatch. You can feel the extra room inside. In addition, the Prius arrives with more std. features and is more fuel efficient for everyone.

I will see if a 2012 Insight can be procured for a week long update/review sometime next year but Honda is not known to have but a very few select vehicles in the Chicago Press Fleet at any given period of time. Will it best the recent over the top HF and HCH-III? I do not think it will but it will make for an interesting comparison no matter what happens

PS: I still love the CR-Z with the 6-speed stick as a fuel efficient sports hybrid that did very well when pushed to its limits imho

Honda Is Entrusting CleanMPG With the 6-speed CR-Z For A Week

Wayne