I drove my wife's 2011 LX to work today. Wow, what a big difference in IMA usage, battery management, and idle stop time from my 2010. I can understand why the 10's didn't get really good reviews. Honda did a good job with the programming of the 2011's, MUCH better than the 2010's. I'm really hoping Honda can realize this and update the programming of the 2010's.
I am not so sure about there being a BIG differance between the years -
I think BIG differance should be saved for changes like 73 to 74 mustang -
2006 to 2010 insight - 82 to 84 vette - ect
I own a 2010 and test drove a 2011 - the one significant differance I personaly noticed was that the 2011 had stereo controlls in the EX, while my 2010 EX did not -
Other than that I could not tell a differance when drivng.
The things I noticed it the idle stop is a lot longer, even with econ off. I'll get about 15 seconds in my 2010, the 2011 will stay off vor over a minute. It also feels like the 11 "uses" more of the IMa... battery, as in it seemed to use the assist more than the 10. The IMA battery will drop to one bar,I don't know that I've seen it go that low on my 10. Overall, the 2011 just seems more dialed in. I really liked the 11 we test drove and that is the car my wife bought. I bought a 10 and figured they would be the same car. All that said, we get pretty similar mileage. It's just that how the 11 operates is how it should be.
No one asking the million dollar question? Anu diff in mpg? Remeber you got to put back what you use. It maybe the sampling rate is better for the SOC vs the previous models.
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Enginer 4 kilowatt PHEV, 3000k 35 watt fogs, Eco bulb highs, 4300k 35 watt low all w/relay kits, DRLs/Rear Wiper removed&rear interior gutted, Sony HU W/front speakers, Tanabe nf springs, 35% tint all around, all LED lamp replacement, 09 fit progress rear sway bar, OEM block heater, full gril block, KN Filter, Honda vent visiors, group 51 battery, home made balancer/grid charger Best/Worse MPG 96/36
Couple things I noticed, the bezzles around the A/C-Hetaing vents are chrome on the '11 (Not sure if I like better) I swear theres a new dark blue color but it could be I never saw this color in 2010. Gone is the awsome spectrum pearl white on my '10 replaced by the boring taffeta white (looks more egg shell) on the '11
In my opinion I doubt Honda changed any of the programming on the car, a new car always feels different than an older car or one with significant miles on it. While one of my work trucks were in the shop for warranty repair I rented three different V6 double cab Tacoma trucks over a two week period. Each truck was configured the same aside from the color but drove differently. Ironically I still got the same average mpg out of all three trucks but the ride and drivetrain felt different. Most notably the worst feeling of the three was the newest and with the least milage of only 1100 miles.
__________________ 2010 Honda Insight Ex-Nav, Spectrum Pearl White w/ dark blue interiorOE Mud-Guards, Trunk Tray, All-Weather Mats, Aftermarket Full Clear-Bra, Door Edge Guards and Bumper cover.
I know my 2011 can be in auto-stop mode for multiple minutes, consistently.
I have no basis of comparison without owning a 2010, but I would be reluctant to call out KJ as being full of horse manure because from everything I have read on this forum so far, what he says sounds within bounds.
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2011 Insight EX, 36k+ miles now.
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We actually bought our Insights at the same time, drove them both home that same evening. Both had about the same mileage on them. I've driven mine to work since mid Jan., same commute I've done for years. I'm intimatly familier with how my 2010 operates. So when I drove Jan's to work, I did notice differences in how the car operated. BUt..I do like my 10. IF it operated like the 11 that would be wonderful. If not, I'll live with it. We seem to get similar MPG's. When I asked, she said she didn't notice any difference driving my car except for it not staying off as long at a stop.
I might be able to add a little to why it might be auto-stopping for a shorter period, that is a significant factor of the amount of "juice" still in the starter battery. If your battery is loosing it's ability to hold a charge, the car will auto-stop for shorter periods because it senses, apparently, the need to make sure there is charge in both the IMA and the starter battery. While we were having problems getting Honda to replace a defective NEW battery, the auto-stop would never shut off for more than 10 to 20 seconds and then restart the car. Apparently afraid it would leave you setting at a green stop light with no charge to get going again. With the new battery, which they finally provided, the auto-stop is off until I decide to go again, as it should be. Sure makes sense to me. ...Bob
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Big diffrences between 2010 and 2011
