Honda Insight: facelift brings new tech, better fuel efficiency | CarAdvice

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Honda Insight: facelift brings new tech, better fuel efficiency

HONDA INSIGHT
By Tim Beissmann
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Honda Australia has launched the 2012 Honda Insight, bringing sharper styling, more equipment and better fuel economy to the compact hybrid hatchback.

Upgrades to the engine and transmission, improved aerodynamics, a power-saving electric fuel pump and low-rolling resistance tyres have helped cut the updated Insight’s economy by 6.5 percent. It is now officially rated at 4.3 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, putting it 0.4L/100km off the pace of its key hybrid rival, the Toyota Prius.

First seen at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September, the 2012 Honda Insight gets a new illuminated grille, LED daytime running lights, redesigned front bumper and revised tail-lights.

Honda has attempted to tackle one of the big criticisms of the old model by taking a number of steps to improve rear visibility. The 2012 model features a thinner tailgate spoiler, revised roof lining, a new rear wiper motor and a longer wiper blade.

Inside, the new Insight benefits from a centre console storage bin and armrest, refreshed meters and gauges, new front headrests and upgraded seat materials. The new roof liner and upgraded seat design has also improved rear-seat headroom by 20mm.

The two existing model variants carry over with their prices unchanged. The $29,990 Insight VTi scores new wing mirrors with side indicators and integrated Bluetooth with steering wheel-mounted controls, while the insight VTi-L adds a leather-bound gear knob.

Two new colours have been added to the palette: Premium White and Carnelian Red (pictured).

Honda Australia will be hoping the updates can help Insight sales turn around having more than halved so far this year compared with the first five months of 2011 – down from 275 to 124.

The Insight lost its title as Australia’s cheapest hybrid in March when Toyota launched the Yaris-sized Prius C from $23,990. So far this year, 652 Prius C hybrids have been registered in Australia – more than five times that of the Insight.

Sales of the larger Toyota Prius, priced from $34,990, have also increased almost 70 per cent this year, up to 443.


 

  • KC

    This design is very much like the FCX.
    Not a bad thing tho. They need to work on their pricing.

  • Paul

    I’d prefer a prius over this car. The prius has more hp and looks better.

  • PS

    I would have expected the updated insight to have lithium ion battery and possibly an uprated motor to get better economy.

  • Smart US

    its plain ugly… Camry H is the best looking cardigan green spirit car… would not mind that but this is a joke!!!

  • JR

    Till it can run on Ev alone , why would you buy one over a Prius

    • TG

       Spot on JR, Honda’s hybrid system is inferior compared to Toyota’s.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/EYU2PV35UT2RXSTEH2RHAWJIP4 JosephS

    One of the biggest problems with the Insight is that its air conditioner was driven directly by the internal combustion engine, which means the A/C stops when the gas engine shuts off, such as when at a red light.  Not pleasant for people in hot climates like Brisbane in the summer.

    Toyota Prius has an electrically-driven A/C unit, so it still cools the cabin even when the gas engine is not running.  I’d prefer the Prius for that reason, living in a hot region.

    Wonder if Honda has remedied that weakness in the latest Insight.

  • Pirate Post Office

    Ugly and IMA is inferior to other Hybrid tech… A big Meh!

  • Des KSA

    My eyes hurt looking at that dash board, it’s woeful.

  • Blair Waldorf

    IMA is basically a glorified stop/start system. Judging from reviews the Insight is probably on par with the Prius C dynamics and performance wise, but well inferior to the regular Prius. If Honda had a brain they’d price this identically to the Prius C. It’s better to make $1,000 profit on a car and sell 10 of them than it is to make $10,000 profit and only sell one.

  • Shak

    The thing is Honda got the wrong idea with Hybrid technology. They thought everyone wants it so they have to try and make it as cheap as possible. The Prius has shown that Hybrid buyers were mostly early adopters, and more than happy to pay the premium for Hybrid technology. Honda should have done exactly what Toyota did and thrown in the most advanced system they could, and then injected some of the fun there cars used to have. (The CR-Z seems like an attempt at this idea until you realise it still uses the old-school and outdated IMA)

  • PS

    I disagree, IMA is indeed a more minimalistic approach to Hybrid technology, but in no way inferior to the more complex Hybrid Synergy system. Honda’s approach is to keep driving dynamics as close as possible to a conventional petrol engine system, while Toyota goes for maximum mileage. Honda’s IMA is way lighter than Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy.

    Prius is a good product with great marketing behind it and very clear target market. Honda’s more conservative approach by making its Hybrid models look the same is the problem… people perceive it as unnecessary premium to pay on top the conventional model that looks pretty much the same.