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2012 Honda Insight gets minor updates

Discussion in 'Honda/Acura Hybrids and EVs' started by cycledrum, Oct 27, 2011.

  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    2012 Honda Insight Hybrid Overview - Official Honda Site

    gal_lg15.jpg

    gal_lg13.jpg

    gal_lg12.jpg

    2012 Honda Insight hybrid gets some updates for 2012. Nice looking set of new alloy wheels (look like smaller versions of my Coupe wheels). Word is they've done something to create a little more interior room. Some changes to front and rear fascia and created some aero corners in rear. Picked up 1 MPG for city and highway.
    I like the 3 spoke steering wheel. Nice size and feel.

    Insight sales are about 20k units in 2009 and 20k in 2010 in US. It's been #2 selling hybrid in US much of its time although Camry and Fusion hybrid are very close to its numbers.
     
    #1 cycledrum, Oct 27, 2011
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I do like the updates. The exterior already looks sharp but the interior still needs work.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Oct 27, 2011
  3. PriusSport

    PriusSport senior member

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    My wife has no complaints after 20K miles on her Insight. 42 mpg.
     
    #3 PriusSport, Oct 28, 2011
  4. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I prefer sitting in the Insight. To me the driving position adjusts to the way it ought to be. I just cannot get comfortable in the Prius. Between the steering wheel, my knees and the huge floating bridge console, it just doesn't work for me.
    I can see why Toyota skewed the Prius steering wheel a little to the left ... if they didn't, it would be even closer to the floating bridge console.

    Different strokes for different folks. Lots of good owner reviews for 2nd Gen Insight though.
     
    #4 cycledrum, Oct 28, 2011
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The problem with the offset position is that it exaggerates the wear on the left bolster even more. It's bad enough it takes a beat when you get in/out of the car but now it's always leaned on because you're sitting a tad to the left in the seat. It would prefer if it was at least 5-10mm to the right so that they can maintain their alignment (to free up space near the centre console) but still not have that slightly awkward offset.

    The other way of looking at it is that the seat is closer to the centre to put as much space as possible between you and the side of the car for side impact protection.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Oct 28, 2011
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  6. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    It's a sharp looking car. See post #1.
     
    #6 cycledrum, Oct 28, 2011
  7. Comrad_Durandal

    Comrad_Durandal New Member

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    To be honest, it was my second runner up behind the Prius. The dealer was very nice, let me drive a few differently equipped models, answered all sorts of questions. My main problem with the vehicle was it seemed too small, and the navigation option was -extremely- primitive when compared to the likes of the Prius Nav (I know, everyone's favorite). Another concern was the fact that I occasionally have passengers, and they just won't fit.
     
    #7 Comrad_Durandal, Oct 28, 2011
  8. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    deleted - incorrect info.
     
    #8 cycledrum, Oct 28, 2011
  9. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I suppose the 3rd gen Insight will get the 1.5L engine like the civic hybrid with hopefully a slightly larger chassis. Then they'll need to retain the fuel economy. Quite a challenge. Civic hybrid sounds pretty torquey - 127 lb.ft from 1000 - 3500 rpm
     
    #9 cycledrum, Oct 28, 2011
  10. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    You need to consider the torque difference from the electric motors -> transmission (or PSD) -> final gear -> to the wheels.
     
    #10 usbseawolf2000, Oct 28, 2011
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  11. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    You are right. I noticed the 105 lbft. Prius figure is only for the ICE.

    My mistake. :eek:
     
    #11 cycledrum, Oct 28, 2011
  12. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    That steering wheel looks terrifying. It looks like an alien head.
     
    #12 cproaudio, Oct 28, 2011
  13. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I don't see that.
     
    #13 cycledrum, Oct 29, 2011
  14. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Honda biases the Insight seating for mid to low position. Prius for mid to high seating position.

    When you tilt Prius steering wheel all the way down, that's roughly where Insight wheel is when tilted all the way up. From there, Insight steering wheel lowers well down making it easy to reach with seat fully lowered.
     
    #14 cycledrum, Oct 29, 2011
  15. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I've heard it said the A/C in Insight shuts off when you come to a stop. Not exactly.
    In Eco mode, the A/C will go a lower setting and blow less when stopped. I think out of Eco mode, it blows normally.

    It's a cute car. 2011 EX at the same trim as 2011 Prius plain Three is $3k less sticker, but I can see why many just opt for Prius Two or Three.
     
    #15 cycledrum, Oct 29, 2011
  16. luckyboy

    luckyboy Member

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    I'm a big prius fan (own a 2007 myself) but just helped my mom buy a base Insight for under $17K (before taxes). Since the base prius (I) is virtually non-existant to the public, this was about a $5K savings over the cheapest prius we could find. At that price I think it was a good deal, especially since she wanted something a little more compact that the prius for city driving and doesn't need cruise control or ipod connectors in the LX (or prius II)
     
    #16 luckyboy, Nov 27, 2011
  17. Kevin123

    Kevin123 New Member

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    Honda has introduce an awesome car in the market smooth and stylish
     
    #17 Kevin123, Nov 30, 2011
  18. JeffHastings

    JeffHastings Member

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    But not competitive, as its comparatively poor sales to Prius prove. It's sharp looking, more appealing in many ways than Prius but it doesn't deliver hybrid goods to the level it needs to. It's better than not for Honda to have it but they need to do much better, especially now with Prius C on the market. They can't ever challenge Toyota's dominance of hybrids without a competitive entry level model, that is, if they even truly intend to.
     
    #18 JeffHastings, Apr 2, 2012
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Honda Canada had a chance and they didn't take full advantage of it imo. I know it's much cheaper in the States (I think your LX model starts at $18k?). Ours with similar equipment (but add cruise control) started at $23,400. If you wanted traction control and stability control, you had to take in navigation, bluetooth and alloys for a price of $27,500 plus tax. Oh and the base model didn't even have a glovebox light. (In Canada, the 2010 Prius started at $27,500 and the HCH-II was around $26k-$27k with nav and cloth seats).

    Honda's IMA was supposed to be cheaper to produce and give consumers a lower cost option (with lower mileage) as a stepping stone into the hybrid market. At $23k for a car with a few big equipment (TRAC/VSC) and a whole bunch of stupid little things (vanity mirror, glovebox light, seatback pocket) missing for a 2010 car at the low $20s, it was doomed from the start.

    The Prius c starts at $20,950 but has all the active and passive (9 airbags!) safety features as standard equipment, gets better mileage and has all the basic equipment included in the base price (power window, locks, mirrors, cruise, A/C and keyless entry) so there's no need to step up for most non-techy people (as our Technology trim level just adds SKS, DA w/ nav, alloys and Touch Tracer for $23,160 or about the same as a Prius c Three w/ 15" alloys).

    Lastly, it's March and only now have they updated their Insight page to reflect the 2012 model from 2010. Yes, not a typo. They never updated the Insight webpage since 2010. Yikes!
     
    #19 Tideland Prius, Apr 3, 2012
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