2013 Honda Insight Remains Unchanged

[xcel]

A Prius c killer it is not but is far better appointed.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Sept. 17, 2012

2013 Honda Insight – Pricing unchanged at $18,500 to start while providing a 41/44 mpgUS city/highway rating.

Pricing and Features

The 2013 Honda Insight remains the most affordable hybrid for sale in the U.S. with a base starting price of $18,500 besting the Prius c base model by some $450 USD.

The base Insight at that price continues to be offered in three models with the base including a decent 160W audio system, auto climate control, power windows, locks and mirrors but that is about it.

Although Honda did not release pricing for the better equipped LX, EX and EX with Navigation, with the base $’s remaining the same, we can assume the well equipped versions should remain at or close to the same as well.

The Insight LX ($20,275) adds a USB audio interface, cruise control, center armrest console; floor mats, security system and steering-wheel mounted audio controls.

The Insight EX ($21,965) adds alloy wheels, six-speaker audio system, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, automatic headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Insight EX ($23,690) is also available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System4 with voice recognition and rearview camera.

Honda continues to press on with a glaring mistake by forcing customers to purchase an EX trim to get Bluetooth Handfree system. This is possibly the least expensive and safest add-on a manufacturer can provide leaving many Insight owners left out in the cold. This miscue should have been remedied in 2011 and not be allowed to continue yet here we are in late 2012 staring vehicles that cost 25% less and arrive with Bluetooth as standard equipment?

Drivetrain

Honda continues to use the aging Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) 13 HP hybrid electric motor combined with the 1.3L i‑VTEC I4 for a total system output of 98 hp. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) also remains unchanged.

Exterior

The Insight was significantly updated for 2012 model year to improve its appearance and aerodynamic performance. The front wheel strakes were extended by 0.4 inches to better direct air around the front tires. The shape of the engine bay underbody cover was also reshaped and air diffusers were added under the rear bumper to smooth airflow behind the vehicle. The changes combined to provide another 1 mpg on the highway as reported last year.

Interior

The Insight's interior is best described as small with just 85 cu. ft. of passenger volume. It does however provide 16 cu. ft. of cargo volume with the seats up and when the 60/40 split rear seats are down, 31 cu. ft is available.

Safety

Standard safety features on all Insight models include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, 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 help mitigate pedestrian injuries. The Insight features Honda's ACE crash resistant passenger structure which allowed it to earn an IIHS “Top Safety Pick”. For some reason it has not yet been rated by the NHTSA yet? The IIHS “Top Safety Pick” has been earned by every one of its competitors so making a judgment on that accolade would be misleading.

The 2013 Honda Insight will be available in dealership showrooms starting tomorrow.

Early Conclusions

With the propensity for IMA based Honda hybrids to leave their owner with thousands of $’s of pack replacement costs in the future, the lack of passenger volume and the disregard for occupant safety with the lack of Bluetooth on the base and LX trims, I would recommend skipping this one In the recent past I would have not thought twice about a CleanMPG recommendation but today, there are much better cars available for less $’s, better value and whose EPA numbers are not all that far off the Insight’s hind quarters.

[WriConsult]

The Insight's cargo capability is vastly greater than the EPA's 16cf figure would suggest. In reality the cargo floor is 33" long, way more than the puny 26" of the competing Prius c. An Insight will swallow a bike, skis or other long items far more easily than a Prius c as a result, and unlike the base Prius c it can do it while you transport your child in back.

Base Insight offers a split-folding rear seat. Base Prius c has a bench-fold seat, something I have not seen in a hatchback since the nineteen eighties. Step up to the next level Prius c and you're now talking about a 10% price difference -- NOT INSIGNIFICANT for those of us in the economy segment! Except of course for the Bluetooth issue, but not everyone needs or wants that (partly because I believe in not making a habit of talking on the phone while driving anyway!)

I fully agree that the Prius c is probably a better choice for most buyers. But not everyone, and that's where blanket recommendations always need to be taken with a grain of salt. The Insight, while not up to historical Honda standards, is still a decent and underrated car. If you care about cargo space, aren't particularly tall and don't need electronic bells and whistles, and want to keep your payment down, the Insight is still worth looking at.

Bottom line for me: For driving to work, I lust after the Prius c. For everything I need a car to do (including taking us on family roadtrips), I recognize that the Insight would be far more practical for us. It would do a far better job of transporting us and our stuff.

[ALS]

The big issues it has going it.

1. It's a Honda
2. 42 mpg combined
3. Runs on regular
4. Looks are OK
5. The average owner is going to spend
maybe $100 per month on gas.

It isn't a bad car for the money.

[Carcus]

Fuelly has the 2012 Insight at 47.7 mpg ... virtually neck and neck with the gen iii prius.

I have driven both and would prefer to drive the Honda.. primarily because it has better instrumentation and better handling --- AND the cost savings over the Prius would probably buy you your first 4 years worth of gas.

Still one of the most under-rated under-valued cars on the market imo.


/I will concede battery concern with the Honda, but I think (hope?) Honda is managing the battery somewhat differently with the Insight (as opposed to the troubled HCH's (?)). So I suppose the jury is still out in this regard and the real verdict won't be known for about 3 more years -- when the batteries start "coming of age".

[RedylC94]

Originally Posted by Carcus

Still one of the most under-rated under-valued cars on the market imo.

/I will concede battery concern with the Honda, but I think (hope?) Honda is managing the battery somewhat differently with the Insight (as opposed to the troubled HCH's (?)). So I suppose the jury is still out in this regard and the real verdict won't be known for about 3 more years. ...

Exactly. If not for concerns about the battery (and CVT and its clutch), I'd seriously consider buying a used Insight, if the price were right. At new prices, it would in my opinion be hard to justify vs. a Prius (which is sufficiently better in most respects to justify the price difference) or Accent (which is not sufficiently less efficient to justify the price difference).

[PaleMelanesian]

How well can we expect the Insight's battery to hold up? Obviously we don't know. Even if it's much better the the HCH, what about 10 years later? 15 years? Mine is 17 years old.

[rhwinger]

I like the implementation of IMA, even if it's aging, for most highway cruising. Using a small gas engine to maintain speed is a more fuel efficient approach than the much lauded Prius 1.7l engine. In town with stop and go - the Prius wins hands down, no question. But for commuters that drive mostly highway, the IMA can outshine.

Just depends on how each one is driven.

But I think the general public thinks a hybrid is a hybrid - no difference between them. Nothing could be further from the truth.

[priusCpilot]

Anyone know what changed on the 2012 Insight from the 2011 for it to jump in MPG on fulley?

Bob have you replaced your battery by nay chance? The Prius is 1.8l and the C is 1.5l

[Carcus]

"Honda has fine-tuned the aerodynamics of the car, reduced engine friction, made improvements to the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and incorporated a better air conditioning system."

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...l-economy.html

[priusCpilot]

Originally Posted by Carcus

"Honda has fine-tuned the aerodynamics of the car, reduced engine friction, made improvements to the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and incorporated a better air conditioning system."

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...l-economy.html

Thanks! Im surprised they didn't have the EPA re rate it? It is clearly doing better?

Even though the C and the Insight are essentially in the same price range but the C handles much better then the normal Prius especially with the optional upgrade larger wheels and quick ratio steering. It wights in a 2500lbs and the battery is placed in front of the rear wheels and below the rear seat for better wight distribution and center of gravity. The drive train was reworked as well as best as possible with this model. Also, rear head room is better on the C as well.