2012 Honda Insight Hybrid in Baton Rouge, LA
Overview:
Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America’s first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999.
A significantly updated 2012 Insight hybrid is here with new exterior styling, an enhanced interior, additional features on select models and an EPA fuel economy-rating improvements. In addition, the Honda Insight is among the most awarded vehicles in the Hybrid segment with achievements that include:
Just because the Insight features advanced hybrid technology doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money to buy or maintain one. Need proof? The Honda Insight received a 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. With its low starting price, excellent fuel mileage and exceptional Honda reliability, the Insight is a great way to save some green.
The Honda Insight is J.D. Power and Associates’ “Highest Ranked Compact Car in Initial Quality in a Tie” in their 2011 Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) (tied with the Civic). The IQS named the highest performers within the first 90 days of vehicle ownership. Needless to say, a trophy like this deserves a prime spot in the trophy case.Honda Insight received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact cars in a tie in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality StudySM. Study based on responses from 73,790 new-vehicle owners, measuring 234 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership.
Honda has won the first ever Edmunds.com Best Retained Value Award for Non-Luxury Brands. In addition, four Honda models won model-level 2011 Edmunds.com Best Retained Value Awards. Having a clear idea about a car’s future resale value is an important part of the car-buying process, and Honda is proud to be recognized for how well our vehicles hold their value over time.
For the third consecutive year, the Honda Insight was named a 2011 Top 10 Green Car by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com[1]. The criteria for this award go beyond a vehicle’s fuel economy and CO2 emissions; its safety ratings, creature comforts, price tag and overall driving enjoyment are also important factors. The Insight’s exceptional fuel economy(40 city/43 highway), modest price tag and legendary Honda real-world utility helped it make the Top Ten Green Cars list again this year
Exterior:
For 50 years, Honda has done a exceptional job with designing vehicles that are not only fuel efficient, but are also stylish! This new 2012 Insight Hybrid is no exception!
The aerodynamically styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle receives extensive changes inside and out for 2012. Exterior changes include a more distinctive grille design that introduces a thin, blue accent bar representative of the Insight’s high-tech hybrid identity.
Restyled front and rear bumpers, along with changes under the vehicle, contribute to a 2-percent increase in aerodynamic performance. New designs for the headlight and brake light internal reflectors further complete the refreshed look. Insight and Insight LX models have 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, contribute to confident driving performance.
Interior:
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, more premium 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, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition receives several notable upgrades including the addition of a rearview camera. The system provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7-million points of interest within the continental United States. 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.
Fuel Economy and Performance:
The Insight’s city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating1 of 41/44/42 mpg, up from 40/43/41 on the prior model, continues to offer the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting under $20,000.
The Insight is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i‑VTEC® gasoline 4-cylinder engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor. The combination develops 98 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque at 1000-1700 rpm. For 2012, friction-reducing measures in the engine and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) contribute to the new model’s increased fuel economy. A 10.6-gallon fuel tank provides an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles.
The Insight features the Eco Assist™ System, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles. 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 more efficient).
Aerodynamic refinements for 2012 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 Insights include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver’s and front-passenger’s active head restraints; and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. All new Insights also feature Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved occupant protection and crash compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights in frontal crashes.
Available Trim Levels:
The Honda Insight comes in numerous trim levels that varies in features and price. Below you will find a basic breakdown of each trim level:
Insight
Insight LX
Adding to or replacing features on Insight
- Security System with Remote Entry
- Cruise Control
- 160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) Playback Capability and 4 Speakers
- Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Cruise, Audio and MID Controls
- USB Audio Interface
- Center Console with Armrest and Storage Compartment
- Floor Mats
- Map Lights
Insight EX
Adding to or replacing features on Insight LX
- Steering Wheel-Mounted Paddle Shifters
- 15-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Heated Side Mirrors with Integrated Turn Indicators
- Driver- and Passenger-Side Seatback Pockets
- Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Vanity Mirrors
- Map Lights
- 160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) Playback Capability and 6 Speakers
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
- Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
- Halogen Headlights with Auto-On/Off
Insight EX with Navigation
Adding to or replacing features on Insight EX
- Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition, FM Traffic and Rearview Camera
- Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Navigation and Phone Controls
Warranty:
Honda Limited Warranty Information
- Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty (years/miles) = 3/36,000
- Powertrain Limited Warranty (years/miles) = 5/60,000
- Corrosion Limited Warranty (years/miles) = 5/unlimited
- Accessory Limited Warranty—Honda accessories are covered up to 3 years or 36,000 miles.
Additional Limited Warranty Information
- Replacement Parts Limited Warranty—Honda Genuine Parts are covered for 1 year. The warranty coverage for replacement parts purchased from and installed by a Honda dealer include parts replacement and labor.
- 3-Year/36,000-Mile Limited Warranty. 5-Year/60,000-Mile Limited Powertrain Warranty. Ordinary maintenance or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and replacement, and certain items are excluded.
- Battery Limited Warranty[2] = 10 years/150,000 miles (AT-PZEV emission rating). (CARB states)
- Battery Limited Warranty = 8 years/100,000 miles (ULEV rating) (non-CARB states)
See your Honda dealer for the specific terms and conditions of the limited warranties.
1. Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
2. Battery-pack limited warranty will vary. Consult the warranty booklet found in dealership.
