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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2012 Honda Insight

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Overview

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2012 Honda Insight Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.6

When Honda reintroduced the Insight hybrid in 2010, the company was sure the car's 5-door hatchback configuration coupled with its sub-$20,000 price tag would be all that was needed to knock the Toyota Prius from its lofty perch. But, for whatever reasons, sales still haven't boomed, which is why the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid has been given a refreshed look, revised interior styling and a few new options aimed at drawing in younger buyers. What hasn't changed is the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid's impressive fuel economy, up by 1 mpg this year to 41 city/44 highway. It also doesn't hurt that you can get into a nicely equipped model for around $20,000 and a fully loaded model for less than $25,000. Perhaps the Insight's problem connecting with the public is that it looks a bit too much like the Prius, or maybe it's just that Honda hasn't really promoted the car, at least not in the way Toyota did when they launched the Prius. We know from the hot-selling Civic Hybrid that consumers know about and like Honda's hybrid technology, so the market is there. It remains to be seen, however, if the enhancements are enough to bring in the crowd Honda is hoping for.

You'll Like This Car If...

While its fuel-economy figures are not as impressive as the Toyota Prius, the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid nevertheless is a gas mileage champ. And, unlike some hybrid cars, the Honda Insight is priced competitively enough as to be able to justify the added hybrid cost relative to future gasoline savings.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking to a hybrid car only to save on gasoline, there are actually some non-hybrid alternatives that come pretty close to matching the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid's fuel consumption. Among the more notable cars are the 40-mpg Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze, and the 42-mpg VW Golf TDI clean diesel.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.6
Driving Dynamics

6.0
Comfort & Convenience

5.8
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.6
Value

6.2
Safety

7.9

How It Ranks

#3

out of 25

MPG

#25

out of 25

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

8.6 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2012

For 2012, Honda gives the Insight hybrid hatchback a refreshed front end, new headlights and taillights, a cool backlit blue bar running across the grille, more rear-seat headroom and legroom and a revised interior with a more tech-centric instrument cluster. Also new is the addition of a rearview camera to navigation-equipped models.

Driving the Insight

2012 Honda Insight Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions With the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid, Honda has created a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle that will deliver savings at the pump without requiring you to fork over an arm and a...

leg at the dealership. A 1.3-liter engine developing 98 horsepower is aided by a 13-horsepower electric motor sandwiched between the gasoline engine and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic. The electric motor assists the gasoline engine when passing or climbing hills and in certain situations (namely low-speed driving) can even move the car on its own. Of course, nothing in this powertrain setup suggests a thrilling day of driving fun (unless you consider saving gasoline to be fun), but in normal day-to-day driving, the setup is more than sufficient. However, we must admit we do appreciate the EX trim's steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that make the driving experience somewhat sporty. We like the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid's well-connected steering and well-controlled ride. And, despite the need for low-rolling-resistance tires, the 2012 Honda Insight delivers commendable performance. For driving enjoyment and the promise of decent fuel efficiency, Honda's Fit is undoubtedly the more involving experience. Its estimated mileage, however, falls far short of the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid's 40-plus mpg figures.

Favorite Features

5-Door Profile
Boasting hatchback access and (with rear seats folded) an expansive load floor, the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid is the new SUV: Sensible Utility Vehicle. With the rear seat folded, the Insight offers over 31 cubic feet of cargo volume – and does so within an overall length of but 172 inches.

Eco Assist
As a driver-selected fuel-efficiency feature, you don't have to do it. But given your purchase of Honda's Insight hybrid, why wouldn't you? In the fuel-efficiency equation, Eco Assist makes you smarter by teaching you how to drive more efficiently. And smarter saves you money while reducing your environmental impact.

2012 Honda Insight Details

2012 Honda Insight Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The 2012 Honda Insight hybrid takes a good interior design and makes it better. By carving out deeper sculpting in the headliner and front seatbacks, Honda has increased rear-seat headroom and legroom to better accommodate the very tall. New seat fabrics on the LX trim look handsome, as does the new synthetic leather-and-cloth setup on the EX. The 2012 Honda Insight hybrid's interior is made versatile by the car's 5-door configuration that includes a large rear hatch and folding 60/40 rear seats. From the driver's point of view, the Insight's instrumentation is both functional and futuristic, with lots of little LCD readouts and gauges to monitor your use of fuel and even help you attain better fuel economy. By using what Honda describes as Eco Assist, the driver is given feedback via the varying-color cluster background and by way of an Assist/Charge meter. The 2012 Honda Insight hybrid is also equipped with an ECON button that enhances efficiency by making adjustments to the throttle, CVT, idle-stop duration and air-conditioning on/off mode.

Exterior

While we really like the new face and blue lighting theme on the 2012 Honda Insight, it still clearly looks like a Prius knockoff rather than an original Honda design. The Insight's wedge-like profile and fastback rear hatch are its strongest selling points, that and the cool split-glass rear window a la the second-generation Honda CRX. We actually like the new grille and headlight setup that includes cool blue lighting surrounds inside the headlight casing, which also runs between the horizontal chrome grille bars. Honda says the new bumper, headlight and grille design led to a 2-percent increase in aerodynamic efficiency. New wheel and wheel-cover designs this year give the 2012 Honda Insight a more sophisticated look.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

As with most Honda offerings in the U.S., the marketing execs have worked to keep the purchase of a 2012 Honda Insight hybrid hatchback very simple. The base model is (obviously) more Spartan than an LX or EX, but still comfortably equipped with automatic climate control, power windows with auto up/down, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, and manual height adjustment for the driver. The LX ups the ante with cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest storage and floor mats, while the EX models gain steering-wheel paddle shifters, faux-leather and cloth seats, heated side mirrors, alloy wheels, 6-speaker audio and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity.

Optional Equipment

The only option offered is the EX's available navigation package that includes a 16 GB flash memory system (as opposed to last year's DVD data file setup), 6.5-inch display screen radio, voice recognition, rearview camera, and FM traffic.

Under the Hood

All 2012 Honda Insights – regardless of trim – are powered by a 1.3-liter SOHC 4-cylinder gasoline engine boasting i-VTEC, in combination with a 10-kilowatt (13-horsepower) electric motor incorporated via Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. The compact (nickel-metal hydride) battery pack recaptures and stores energy from vehicle braking and deceleration. The electric motor will provide additional power for acceleration, and can propel the car exclusively on electric power in some low-speed conditions. The engine itself – boasting but two valves per cylinder – is relatively low tech; everything else is appropriately high tech.

1.3-liter in-line 4 (plus 10-kilowatt, 13-horsepower electric motor)
98 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
123 lb-ft of torque @ 1,000-1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 41/44

Pricing Notes

All 2012 Honda Insights – especially within the context of this model year – provide excellent value in their segment. A base 2012 Honda Insight hybrid can be purchased for a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of well under $20,000, while a fully loaded EX with navigation goes for just under $25,000. And, while Honda dealers enjoy small margins on small cars, check kbb.com's Fair Purchase Price for an indication of what consumers are paying in your area. With gasoline prices being volatile, so are the purchase points of hybrid vehicles. We expect, however, the Insight to enjoy a resale value going forward fully competitive – or superior to – other hybrids in its segment.

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2012 Honda Insight Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.6

Out of 10

Based on 98 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.1/10

Quality

8.6/10
Reliability

9.3/10

Performance

8.4/10
Comfort

7.9/10

Styling

8.4/10

Rear door access horrible

By Josy (SC) on Monday, May 27, 2013

I don't own this car

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"While shopping for a new vehicle and getting into the back seat if the Insight to check for leg room, seat comfort, head room, etc., I bumped my head very hard just above my right ear. After laying across the seat and holding my head for a few minutes I sat up to see how that could have happened. As I looked out the door opening I realized the top of the door frame was about my eye level. I am not a tall person. I did not drive the vehicle, so cannot rate it on anything else except for the design of the back door. It is horrible."

2 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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Best Buy!

By Thirza (MO) on Monday, May 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 53,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "great price, mpg, reliability, sleek"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I love my Insight and I absolutely love the value of my Insight. I regularly haul 550# of stuff in my car and get 41-43 mpg depending on outside temp. Its pretty inside and out, highly functional with the fold down seats. Easy to care for with oil change every 10-11k. The only thing I have not liked is an intermittent squeak in my glove box."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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My Insight has been problem free and a GREAT value

By Dave (NY) on Tuesday, May 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 33,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Value, Gas mileage, power ,room with hatchback"

Cons: "no cruise control, light interior gets dirty quick"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Other than missing an armrest compartment and no cruise(LX model)I'm thrilled with this problem free car-even without the EX models slip diff- with 4 Blizzaks I went thru the snow with no problem in upstate NY's lake effect snowbelt. plenty of power to pass, and 43ish mpg to boot (a little lower with the snow tires on) I leased this car but will probably buy it at lease end, so I can continue to avoid the repair shop!!!!! The hatchback is soo roomy I moved a clothes dryer in it(hatch wasn't closed)"

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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It is what I expected

By Attila Incze (NV) on Monday, May 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 51,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Good price, normal car feel."

Cons: "Small elbow rest, side gusts tend to move vehicle."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This vehicle achieves what it was designed to do. It is a cost effective hybrid compared to its competitors. Being a complex electro-mechanical product I elected to buy this compared to its domestic equivalent. (I trust Honda reliability.) After 50k miles I do not have any problems to report with the car. All services were done per recommendations in the owners manual. Quality of the car is above average due to more of a plastic look inside. Ride comfort is average due to relatively stiff suspension and thin seat cushions. Driving dynamics is excellent for a hybrid. Ergonomics and cabinet layout is excellent. To get 60 mpg you need to stay below 55 mph and really watch your stop and go traffic."

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Handles Awesome, a little underpowered

By Sporty Hybrid (PA) on Tuesday, March 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 50,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "affordable, great gas mileage, excellent corners"

Cons: "a bit underpowered"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned this 2010 Insight 2 EX for close to three years. It is a blast to drive. I upgraded the tires immediately, and it corners like it is on rails. I drive it like a sports car and wail it through the turns. It is great! It definitely is underpowered though. You have to floor it to accelerate onto the highway. it does get up and go, though, just needs lots of encouragement. The gas mileage is great. 37-40 regularly. I think it is fabulous that I can totally floor it and peel out and constantly accelerate at top RPM and still get 35mpg. My old pocket rocket was about the same top speed, worse in the corners, but just got 20ish mpg. This insight is great!"

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Its way understated!

By myinsight (MI) on Saturday, March 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "great price great on gas"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My 2013 Insight averages 50.3 MPG! The salesman at the dealer told me it gets 50 MPG and I had doubts but he was correct...this is a great car! The milage per gallon is way way understated!"

10 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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See all 98 reviews