I had the chance to ride in a 5spd from a fellow Insight owner in the city where I live. From what I see, the CVT Insight just doesn't use the IMA system as much as the 5spd Insights do. I for one rarely get max assist from the electric engine unless I floor it. If I recall correctly, with 5spd Insights you generally get full electric assist just with normal acceleration. Also, the CVTs seem to charge a lot more agressively due to what I guess is how the IMA system works with the tranny. I have yet too hear from anyone that has had a SOC recal happen on CVT models or replace a battery due to it.
Interestingly enough, on my Civic Hybrid CVT, the SOC meter tends to vary a lot more. I usually see that SOC meter jumping around a lot on the HCH whereas the Insight rarely drops below 75%. No recals on the HCH yet. *knocks on wood...*
Would be nice if Honda would release an update that'll retune the CVT IMA system to use more of the electric assist.