What was the main reason why you choose to buy an LX or EX instead of the Touring?

Didn't want to spend the extra money (6% extra for the EX over the LX, and 16% extra for the Touring
Votes: 28 46.7%
Didn't want Leather seats in the Touring.
Votes: 9 15.0%
Didn't want lower MPG or the larger 17" wheels.
Votes: 13 21.7%
Didn't want extra mechanical things that might eventually break (heated seats, moonroof, extra speak
Votes: 5 8.3%
Didn't want the larger 8" display.
Votes: 0 0.0%
Didn't want the smartphone integration (Carplay and Android Auto)
Votes: 0 0.0%
Didn't want the extra technology in the EX (lanewatch and smart entry)
Votes: 1 1.7%
Other
Votes: 4 6.7%

Total voters

60

What was the main reason why you choose to buy an LX or EX instead of the Touring?

16542 Views 44 Replies 22 Participants Last post by andrew28, May 6, 2021

Honda2019

Discussion Starter · Feb 8, 2019 (Edited)

Out of curiosity, I thought it would be interesting to see why those of us with LX and EX trims decided not to go for a Touring trim. Here is a poll of what I think may be the most obvious reasons, but if none apply to you, choose "Other" and provide your comments in your reply to this thread. See the attached image showing the main differences in the Trim levels.

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1 - 20 of 45 Posts

LennyR

· #2 · Feb 8, 2019

Well, I haven't bought one yet. I'm still driving my '12 Civic EX Coupe, which I bought new in June '11. I put oversize sway bars on it right away & and it handles darn well. It still purrs like a kitten with 113k miles on the odometer, so I'm going to wait to see what they change in the 2020 model and probably buy one next fall or winter.

That said, I'm going to get another EX for two reasons (besides the lower cost). First is that I don't like leather seats -- cold when you first put you bottom into them in winter and sticky in summer. Plus I tend to slide around more on leather when I'm pushing the car through those tight corners. The second is specific to the Insight: mileage. Given that the car's raison d'etre is high fuel mileage, I wouldn't consider giving that much away just for a few more do-dads.

Anyway, that's just me. Other people wouldn't have a car without leather and top-of-the line features, so I expect Honda will sell lots of Touring Insights.

Reactions: 2

insightfully

· #3 · Feb 8, 2019

I wanted to select several options from the poll; it was hard to limit it to one!

Ultimately, the Touring's power seats (without memory) were off-putting to me. It would drive me nuts to adjust the seat after another driver (or after maintenance work) and never get the settings back to "just right."

I really wanted the side mirror turn lights on the Touring, but it wasn't enough for me to choose it. I've seen videos for the Civic that show the wiring exists on all models and can be easily replaced on the LX/EX.

Reactions: 1

Honda2019

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 8, 2019

So for my two cents, my main reason for excluding the Touring from my options was the fact that it only came with leather seats. Never been a big fan of leather seats for numerous reasons (as LennyR mentions), but the main one being that I am a vegetarian (for both health and ethical reasons), so that made the Touring a non-starter. If they had non-leather options for the Touring I would have considered it, although I may still have opted for the EX anyways (although I always wanted a car with heated seats). Given all the various bells and whistles that can come with cars now, I can see how it is challenging for car makers to settle on a set of options for each trim model that sets each trim apart from each other in a logical manner, even though it may disappoint some buyers as a result. I am terrible at making decisions, and I prefer to have fewer options than too many, which makes the fact that there were only three trim levels for the Insight a plus for my decision making process. The LX was not an option as I wanted Apple Car play and a larger dash display screen. Overall I think Honda did a great good job with doling out the options with each trim level.

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Reactions: 1

andrew28

· #5 · Feb 8, 2019

3

insightfully said:
I wanted to select several options from the poll; it was hard to limit it to one!

Ultimately, the Touring's power seats (without memory) were off-putting to me. It would drive me nuts to adjust the seat after another driver (or after maintenance work) and never get the settings back to "just right."

I really wanted the side mirror turn lights on the Touring, but it wasn't enough for me to choose it. I've seen videos for the Civic that show the wiring exists on all models and can be easily replaced on the LX/EX.

The only thing I wanted in the touring were the side mirror turn signal lights and heated seats. The lower mpg, no memory seats, and moon roof which reduces rear passenger headroom also made the choice easier to go with the EX. I'm just thankful the LED headlights were standard on the Insight instead of touring only.

I would pay touring money for the Insight that is currently in Japan. :wink:

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gerryzub

· #6 · Feb 10, 2019

I won't buy a car with Leather seats. That plus 4 MPG less is a complete deal breaker for me. I wish car manufacturers would stop putting leather seats on all their top of the line cars. We haven't bought at least 3 different cars top model because of the leather seats.

Reactions: 2

legend921

· #7 · Feb 14, 2019

The Japan version gets rear vents, better looking wheels (IMO) and a nice little spoiler lip? I would totally get a Touring Model from Japan as well, however, I had opted for the EX over here. The price difference didn't justify it for me immediately. Plus the leather seats, no matter how nice they look, couldn't give out enough want anymore than the cloth seats due to the temps here in AZ.

Verdier

· #8 · Feb 14, 2019

legend921 said:
The Japan version gets rear vents, better looking wheels (IMO) and a nice little spoiler lip? I would totally get a Touring Model from Japan as well, however, I had opted for the EX over here. The price difference didn't justify it for me immediately. Plus the leather seats, no matter how nice they look, couldn't give out enough want anymore than the cloth seats due to the temps here in AZ.

The spoiler for the American touring is much nicer if quite a bit more expensive.

Freckles

· #9 · Feb 15, 2019

Main reason was Money! Then not much better at the MPG and don't care for leather seats. However, I would like to have the better display for radio, etc. My only sadness in my LX.
I had my second fill-up today and so happy with my MPG, I was getting aprox. 46mpg on my 2015 Civic Hybrid.

Reactions: 1

Honda2019

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 15, 2019

Freckles said:
Main reason was Money! Then not much better at the MPG and don't care for leather seats. However, I would like to have the better display for radio, etc. My only sadness in my LX.
I had my second fill-up today and so happy with my MPG, I was getting aprox. 46mpg on my 2015 Civic Hybrid.

Don't feel so bad about the display size in your LX Freckles. Given we should be keeping our eyes on the road most of the time, and not on an 8" display, saving the extra money on the LX was probably a wise decision. It is still a 2019 Insight that drives the same and gets the same MPG as the EX. Glad you are enjoying it!

Reactions: 1

insightfully

· #11 · Feb 15, 2019

Honda2019 said:
Don't feel so bad about the display size in your LX Freckles. Given we should be keeping our eyes on the road most of the time, and not on an 8" display, saving the extra money on the LX was probably a wise decision. It is still a 2019 Insight that drives the same and gets the same MPG as the EX. Glad you are enjoying it!

The other benefits of LX screen are fewer fingerprints on the display, and no carplay screen random reboots...

Reactions: 1

Mobilcams

· #12 · Feb 17, 2019

I also wonder if the amplifier's built into the head unit or is external to it.

Verdier

· #13 · Feb 18, 2019

Mobilcams said:
I also wonder if the amplifier's built into the head unit or is external to it.

Well the touring is separate.

Johudso7

· #14 · Feb 18, 2019

I on the otherhand went with the touring trim as my previous vehicle, 2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited, had things like a sunroof, leather, navigation, better speakers and bigger wheels and tires. Didn’t want to give those up. I spend a lot of time in my car, over an hour each day. I wanted a car that I enjoyed spending time in. I liked the extra chrome brightwork on the touring model, the bigger wheels, the power driver and passenger seats, and HomeLink auto dimming rearview mirror. I don’t have to worry about a garage opener on the sun visor and the mirror makes driving at night SO much more enjoyable. Dual zone climate control is a MUST in any car I have, my Hyundai had it and it is absolutely necessary. The rain sensing wipers are nice too...! The reduced MPG’s weren’t something that really concerned me because anyway I sliced it, I was still getting better fuel economy over my Hyundai. The touring Insight also has fluid filled bushings on the front and rear suspension.... I cannot say for sure how this affects the ride/handling as I did not drive an LX/EX for the reasons listed above. I will say that the ride/handling in the Insight is night and day BETTER than my Hyundai Elantra. The Honda is smooth as butter!

Purchase price is more for the touring, mpg is a little lower, but I am more than happy with my decision and I wouldn’t change if for a thing!

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Reactions: 1

highmiler

· #15 · Feb 18, 2019

Funny how the poll plays out because being someone that bought only used Honda's, everyone there goes for EX's and Tourings.
Buying new, its the other way around. Used market can really drive down prices at times to reasonable levels.

insightfully

· #16 · Feb 19, 2019

highmiler said:
Funny how the poll plays out because being someone that bought only used Honda's, everyone there goes for EX's and Tourings.
Buying new, its the other way around. Used market can really drive down prices at times to reasonable levels.

Honda expected the EX to be the top selling trim, but it looks like an even split between EX and Touring owners in this forum based on member purchase data shared as of 2/18/19:
- LX owners = 3.4% (4)
- EX owners = 47.4% (55)
- Touring owners = 49.1% (57)

Mobilcams

· #17 · Feb 19, 2019

insightfully said:
Honda expected the EX to be the top selling trim, but it looks like an even split between EX and Touring owners in this forum based on member purchase data shared as of 2/18/19:
- LX owners = 3.4% (4)
- EX owners = 47.4% (55)
- Touring owners = 49.1% (57)

It’s funny though, since I bought my EX in mid January, I still haven’t seen any here in Tampa. Every time I think I see one, it’s an accord. Lol

andrew28

· #18 · Feb 19, 2019

Mobilcams said:
It’s funny though, since I bought my EX in mid January, I still haven’t seen any here in Tampa. Every time I think I see one, it’s an accord. Lol

I have seen 2 more Insights in February since my last sighting report in January.

Pulled up behind another White Touring as I exited the the freeway.
Saw a Modern Steel LX/EX at a Popeyes parking lot.

I still haven't seen a lunar silver, crystal black, and aegean blue Insight, yet. The aegean blue and crystal black color must be rare because I have never seen them at my local dealerships either. I would say the same for cosmic blue, never seen at dealerships, just once last month at a Mcdonalds drive thru. Based on my experience, White Orchid, and Modern Steel are the most seen Insights on the road here in the Boston area.

Mobilcams

· #19 · Feb 20, 2019

Since I live in Tampa I picked a lighter color which is the lunar. My youngest has named all my cars named her Luna. She’s my first brand new car and I love her very much. I know it’s silly since I’m originally a fast car/bad a$$ pickup truck guy, but this car is just so awesome. Smooth, techie, and sexy. I’ve had more than a few compliments and questions about her. And she’s not even a touring model.

Reactions: 2

BlueBoy

· #20 · Mar 6, 2019

Touring has good lumbar support

insightfully said:
I wanted to select several options from the poll; it was hard to limit it to one!

Ultimately, the Touring's power seats (without memory) were off-putting to me. It would drive me nuts to adjust the seat after another driver (or after maintenance work) and never get the settings back to "just right."

I really wanted the side mirror turn lights on the Touring, but it wasn't enough for me to choose it. I've seen videos for the Civic that show the wiring exists on all models and can be easily replaced on the LX/EX.

Not sure about the other models. They may have it but I'm thinking not.:crying:

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