[Phil NEMS]

I am thinking about getting an Insight because my daily commute is 42 miles one way. The drive is about 98% highway with a max speed limit of 65 mph and 2% rural with a max speed limit of 55 mph. I have ~ 2 stops each way and have to slow down a couple of times.
Here are my questions:
1. I have been hearing the press reports and I am wondering (after I learn to drive the Insight) what kind of gas milage can I expect?
2. About how long does it take to learn to drive the Insight to get top milage?

 

[psuinsight]

As a new Insight driver, here is my two cents: On hilly rural roads I get about 55 mpg if I don't drive carefully (sort of just "normal" driving with a stick shift) but I get over 70mpg if I am really careful and follow the tips provided on this site. On highway (interstate) driving I get 65 to 70+mpg easily while driving 60 to 70 mph. No drafting or surfing...too scary for me.
The car is a blast to drive and after a month I was getting the techniques down fairly well.
Every time I look at my Insight I grin.

 

[jbrasure]

If you get the CVT Insight, then I would guess that you'll get about 55 MPG.

 

[griller]

I think you can probably beat 60 mpg on the highway with a cvt if you are moderately careful.

I got just over 60 mpg today with my cvt on my way to work (13 miles). I only had to stop about 10 times. A longer drive is better for your over-all mileage. If your drive is very hilly though then you might see 55 mpg no matter what you do with a cvt.

A lot will depend on whether you are willing to sacrifice a little speed for better mileage. For me, with such a short drive, the difference between 60 and 70 on the bit of freeway I travel only nets me a minute or two. So I can keep the speed down. If you are traveling 40 miles on the freeway there will be a much larger time sacrifice. Even so, I don't think you would do better with any other type of car (hybrid or not).

 

[goat961]

i learned how to drive stick on the insight so it probably took me a little longer than most to start getting good mileage. i got it early last september. my first week i got just below 50mpg. i was just barely getting 60 mpg before it got cold and then winter knocked me down in the 56-58 range. now that it's warmed up again i'm getting 64-65... which says i'm still learning.

getting good mileage is pretty easy. getting the best possible mileage is somethng i'm still striving for.

 

[Billy]

Hi Phil; Search the forums for lots of detailed info re: fuel economy. If your primary objective is maximum mpg, the 5-speed is the way to go. Due to it's lean-burn capability, higher engine compression ratio, etc, it acheives about 18 mpg higher than the automatic version (CVT).

I have purchased 3 new Insights. My 2002 got an average of 83 mpg, my 2003 got 85, and now my 2005 is averaging 87.6 mpg after 11,000 miles. I'm learning to drive better......

 

[surfseeker7]

Phil,

By "the press reports" are you referring to claims that Hybrids don't get as good milage as their EPA estimates? That story has been out there for quite a while now and it has been discussed on this site before.

I think we identified a few reasons:
1) Hybrids get fantastic mpg, so if your actual mileage that is lower than the EPA, the difference sounds drastic. For example if you only get 60mpg and not 70mpg, it sounds terrible. Of course, they don't fixate on gas guzzlers that get only 14 mpg, and not the EPA estimated 17mpg, right?

2) As you identified, it all depends on your driving skills and knowledge of the car, which makes the Insight incredibly fun to drive, almost like a real life video game. True, sometimes Insighters just ignore their mileage and drive it around like a normal car. The point is, you can choose to control your milage knowing no matter how poorly you drive, you're still in the most efficient car on the road (and sexy looking too, like the driver inside!).

3) Those press reports may have been aimed at the Prius, which did disappoint many new to hybrids. There are lots of reasons why the Prius doesn't always get the EPA estimate for all drivers. But rather than report on those reasons, the headlines read "Hybrid mileage not as high as EPA". With the latest gas prices those stories are now being replaced by "Everyone wants a hybrid!".


:lol:

 

[masscommuter]

I've drven one for 3 months - a manual.
The car's lifetime MPG is 55.9, but I've rarely had a tankful that low.
Recent tankfuls have averaged 58, 61, 63.

A local couple have been driving an Insight for a few years and
report 45 MPG in the city (Boston), but 65 on highway trips out of state.
45 mpg is the lowest I've ever heard of.

 

[richbrick]

Hi Phil; I have my 03/cvt for almost a week now and i love it. I am currently getting 55 mpg and not really trying to watch my driving style. Hope that you become one of us. You will really enjoy this vehicle if you decide on it.