2012 Honda Insight - Updates address some criticisms

Consumer Reports News: October 17, 2011 03:53 PM

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Honda today released a freshened version of its entry-level Insight hybrid for 2012 that attempts to address some of our many criticisms with the car, whose overall test performance was too low for us to recommend.

The 2012 Insight will have wider tires than last-year's model, 185 mm vs. 175 mm. That could improve grip in our emergency handling and braking tests, addressing two of our biggest concerns about the original Insight.

We also complained in our road test that the rear seat was low, cramped, and had insufficient head and knee room for adults. Honda says they have "reconfigured" the rear seat to give it 0.6-inches more headroom, as well as a little more legroom.

Honda has added sound deadening and claims the upholstery materials are nicer. And the rear wiper motor and the metal support bisecting the rear window has been trimmed down for better visibility.

Another complaint we had with the Insight is that its fuel economy, while very good, wasn't that impressive for a hybrid. Honda claims the new one will see a 1-mpg improvement in EPA tests, from 40 city/43 hwy/41 combined to 41 city/44 hwy/42 combined. That's still no match for the Toyota Prius' 50 mpg combined EPA average. We got 38 mpg overall with the Insight versus the 44 mpg overall with the Prius.

The 2012 Insight EX now comes standard with Bluetooth connectivity, automatic headlights, and leather steering wheel and shift knob.

We can't say whether these tweaks will significantly improve the Insight, but they are small steps in the right direction. It is a shame the car didn't originally have these built in. Honda should know better. This update reminds how Honda has stumbled with several recent models.