I don't think it's unreasonable to come to the conclusion of 38mpg -remember that most on this forum who have checked "real world" mpg report that the MID estimate is off by +two or +three mpg. That gives a MID reporting of 40-41 which is where my wife hovers usually.
If Consumer Reports is as thorough as I believe they are then I imagine they are measuring from the pump, rather than using the MID for their numbers.
Still, the other comments are just down-right puzzling to me.
This mentions the telescoping steering column so it begs the question of why they have visibility quibbles with the steering wheel/speedometer. The only time, for me, that this was an issue was during my test drive -before I realized how to adjust the steering column.
And don't get me started on this supposed "noisy car." It's the quietest car I've ever owned -far better than the expensive European sports car I had previously and much quieter than the Yaris, Corolla, and Fit that I test drove on the same day. The only way I could imagine noise being a problem is if one punched the throttle whilst hopping moguls in-between slalom cones. And I guess if they did that it would explain the low mpg average.
I'm interested in reading the full review because right now I have this giant question mark about their conclusions. Of their seven major faults (ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access and visibility) I actually chose the Insight because I thought well of five of them...
Of their seven major faults (ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access and visibility) I actually chose the Insight because I thought well of five of them...
JP
Ok, lets start an informal owner satisfaction survey on these seven major faults... I'll begin:
1. Ride Quality - I do not find this to be any different than any other car that I own, have owned, or ridden in over the past few years. I do not feel that the Insight is overly harsh in any way.
2. Handling - No it's not an S2000, but taken for what it is, it handles quite well. I actually had alot of fun on some mountain roads through Wyoming earlier this year and forgot I was driving a hybrid.
3. Interior Noise - They're WAY off base on this one. The only interior noise that I get is if I hammer the throttle. I find this acceptable because you should get a nasty reminder of how much fuel you are wasting when you do that.
4. Acceleration - For 99.999% of my driving I do not NEED anymore acceleration than what the Insight provides. If I get into a situation where I NEED more, then I probably shouldn't have done whatever it was that I did to get into that situation. Any expression of a lack of acceleration is purely out of WANT for more acceleration, not need.
5. Rear-Seat - I can at least agree with their point here. However, as most have expressed on this forum, this is something that you are well aware of before buying this car and you must evaluate your own needs before deciding on this. This is certainly NOT a reason to not recommend the Insight, but it should be noted.
6. Access - I am assuming that they are talking about the rear seats again. If so, see comments above.
7. Visibility - I was concerned about this before I had a chance to sit in the car. And my g/f being very short (5'3" or so) was VERY concerned about this. What we found is that the adjustable height seat and huge side mirrors eliminated any concerns. The only annoyance that I still have with this is that you cannot see the face of the driver that is tailgating you at times. But that is an annoyance, not a major issue.
Does anyone else want to add their take on these issues?
Some under-informed car-testing reports previously failed to achieve optimal hybrid acceleration test results due to a partially-depleted battery state-of-charge. Maybe this is why CR's fuel economy and acceleration data for the Insight was very sub-what-we-know-to-be-easily-achieved, as well?
The CR team of vacuum cleaner and electric toothbrush testers appear unqualified to properly evaluate or make correctly-reasoned judgments concerning IMA hybrid cars requiring mindful driving to optimize performance. CR's smug 'accuracy' is rarely held up to scrutiny by a susceptible (gullible) public, unfortunately. The ONLY point of CR's journalism... now clearly resting on its laurels... is self-serving MAGAZINE SALES (a la Jeremy Clarkson), rather than any proper evaluation that might require superior education, competence, or research. For CR and more so-called journalists all the time, the truth is increasingly irrelevant, extraneous, and inconvenient.
Any half-witted-or-better reviewer with integrity would certainly recognize and applaud Honda for its "yes, you CAN have it all" spirit of balancing performance, style, and features WITH economy in a tech-friendly value package. This is what the general public demanded, and this is what Honda brilliantly delivered.
I guess if a car doesn't have 250 HP and doesn't corner on a dime it doesn't go on CR the recommended list!
The steering IS numb in the center. Go 25 to 30 MPH and jiggle the steering wheel to the left and right about a 1/2 inch and little to no response. But, who cares. Never have noticed it until I tried my test. How is does your leg hit the center console?! I got at least 3 to 4 inches of clearance.
Some people get 38 MPG, others 55 to 60 MPG...My Insight Rocks!!! I don't know of too many cars out there that can get over 50s MPG wise...[insert evil gas saving laugh here - muhaha]
Here's the last 2227 miles and my current tank of 482 miles. I should hit around 550 miles on the tank before refill.
I tried to get onto their website and pull a copy of the actual report and it appears that you have to be a member and possibly pay money. Don't think so... Anyways, on the 38 MPG figure. I did a little experiment with my third tank of gas to try and drive it "like a normal American" and I still got over 41 MPG. We're talking jack-rabbit starts every time!!!
Seriously the only way to get worse is to really drive like an idiot, or get on an interstate with the cruise set at 82 MPH
Just go to the library. That's where I read it. They should have the issue in by now.
__________________
2010 Honda Insight EX Polished Metal driving it since April 7, 2009
Ok, lets start an informal owner satisfaction survey on these seven major faults... I'll begin:
1. Ride Quality - I do not find this to be any different than any other car that I own, have owned, or ridden in over the past few years. I do not feel that the Insight is overly harsh in any way.
2. Handling - No it's not an S2000, but taken for what it is, it handles quite well. I actually had alot of fun on some mountain roads through Wyoming earlier this year and forgot I was driving a hybrid.
3. Interior Noise - They're WAY off base on this one. The only interior noise that I get is if I hammer the throttle. I find this acceptable because you should get a nasty reminder of how much fuel you are wasting when you do that.
4. Acceleration - For 99.999% of my driving I do not NEED anymore acceleration than what the Insight provides. If I get into a situation where I NEED more, then I probably shouldn't have done whatever it was that I did to get into that situation. Any expression of a lack of acceleration is purely out of WANT for more acceleration, not need.
5. Rear-Seat - I can at least agree with their point here. However, as most have expressed on this forum, this is something that you are well aware of before buying this car and you must evaluate your own needs before deciding on this. This is certainly NOT a reason to not recommend the Insight, but it should be noted.
6. Access - I am assuming that they are talking about the rear seats again. If so, see comments above.
7. Visibility - I was concerned about this before I had a chance to sit in the car. And my g/f being very short (5'3" or so) was VERY concerned about this. What we found is that the adjustable height seat and huge side mirrors eliminated any concerns. The only annoyance that I still have with this is that you cannot see the face of the driver that is tailgating you at times. But that is an annoyance, not a major issue.
Does anyone else want to add their take on these issues?
I will only comment on the handling and road noise; the space issues are of course, dependant upon use, etc. I find the car as quiet (or noisy) as any other on the road bases that I travel....actually quieter than my Taurus SHO over most of the same route
Handling: I have a little 'test' route on my commute through dairy country that has 1/2 to 1 mile straights, punctuated by sharp 90 degree corners that are 1-2 degree banked and posted for 15 MPH. At one far end, there is a sweeping turn posted a 50 MPH; the remainder of the roads are 55MH posted.
I regularly take these 15MPH corners at 33 MPH without even working the suspension, tires, or even shifting to Sport mode. No drama, no squeal, no tilt, slide, span, drift, not even a spilled latte!! If I tried real hard, and wanted to disturb our contented Holsteins, I could probably push 40MPH if I hung the tail out some.....
On the other end, that 50MPH sweeper is taken at 57MPH, again, with no drama.....(If I had a real clear shot, and knew that there was no traffic, I could split apexes and exit in to the other lane for a probable 65+ exit speed here..)
Another portion of my commute is through a posted 50 MPH bit of wooded twisties for several miles. Here too, I am able to maintain 60 MPH + without squealing tires or even leaning..if traffic is light, I could probably hit 75 in the same area...This car is very competent and I am able to place it just about anywhere on the roadway without sliding or drastic actions on my part.
One caveat: I am running 40PSI vice the standard 33PSI, but even when I was at 33, I never experienced what CR called bad handling.
Interior noise seems low enough to I and my wife; with music on and at speed, we still carry on conversations at normal voice.
Walt
__________________
2010 Insight EX/NAVI Clear Sky Blue Metallic
ex- 2005 Prius Millennium Silver Metallic
pkg#6
ex-2004 Civic Hybrid Opal Silver Blue Metallic 5spd manual
ex- 29 other vehicles
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question mark about their conclusions. Of their seven major faults (ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access and visibility) I actually chose the Insight because I thought well of five of them...
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