Used 2012 Honda Insight Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Insight, so we've included reviews for other years of the Insight since its last redesign.
Check the oil
TammyH, 12/05/2016
2012 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
19 of 21 people found this review helpful
Be careful buying this car. I bought a 2012 Insight LX brand new. It was always maintained at a dealership and all scheduled maintenance was performed. My oil got low between oil changes and it was suggested that an oil consumption test be performed at the next oil change. This was done and the test came out fine. About six weeks later I went on an 800 mile road trip and the engine light came on and I knew what the problem was. The oil didn't even show on the dipstick. Had to add two quarts and the thing only holds 3.4 quarts. If you buy one of these used make sure you get it cheap and keep the oil checked because the light doesn't come on until it is desperately low. Once the hybrid battery starts to decline you will lose a lot of mpg's too. Honda doesn't replace the battery unless it drops below 45%. Mine was at 75% and I had lost 10 mpg.
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Better car than it looks on paper
mike579, 02/19/2012
2011 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I do a 40 mile highway commute on weekdays and some city driving on weekends. By my own calculations, I get an honest 50 miles per gallon. The dashboard readouts give you the information you need to modify your driving style to maximize MPG. I see people complain about a noisy car, but that's not my experience. It's quiet on the freeway. It will get noisy on a rough roads or if you stomp on the gas pedal. The interior is a little plasticy, but it still looks clean and functional. Because of the car styling, the car has larger blind spots than I would like.
2012 Honda Insight for sale near you
3 of 23 listings
- EX 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $8,69547 mi away
- LX 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $16,999166 mi away
- EX 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,495166 mi away
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A fun hybrid? Go figure
msbella, 09/08/2012
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback w/Navigation (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I am thrilled with this car! I bought it for a year-long 220-mile round-trip commute that would have been miserable and expensive in most other cars but was actually pleasant in this one thanks to the comfort, handling, and iPod connection. The front-wheel drive also got me home safely during an epic blizzard last winter. After 32,000 miles in 18 months, and now commuting 60 miles round-trip on a winding rural road, I can still say I love this car, as do my growing kids and two big dogs. I'm averaging 45 mpg across all conditions and terrains, and the 12,000-mile oil changes are nice, too. One change I did make for my rural area was wider tires, which are more durable and widely available.
Updated 3 year review.
mattwc1, 04/30/2013
updated 07/01/2021
2011 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
I bought my base 2011 Insight to replace a very nice 2009 Rav4. It has in over 1000 miles already saved fuel costs by 1/2. June 2016: So far the only maintenance items I have had to do is oil changes (approx 8-10K miles. I follow the maintenance minder on the car. I still do CVT fluid changes approx every 2nd oil change (about every 20k), (1) interior air filter and (1) air filter. That is it. I did change my stock steel wheels to a used set of alloy wheels (with better Michelin tires) about 30k ago. I felt the Michelins handle a lot better with little or neglible impact on mpg . My car has nearly 70K trouble free miles and I average between 45-50mpg on my commute. Pros: Regularly exceeds EPA mpg Quiet and reliable Excellent used car value Cons: lack of center armrest on base model real window visibility Paint chips easily Front seats are awful and fabric stains easily Dec 2018: A quick update on my car. I have surpassed over 120k mileage. At about 110k , I changed the spark plugs (all 8 of them!), exterior trans filter, front brake pads and replaced the tires with the OEM Bridgestones. ( Still on the soon to do list is a brake bleed, radiator fluid change and maybe relashing the valves.) The car has been to the dealership once for the Takita Airbag recall. It still is reliable, fuel efficient and a good overall commuter. . The Pros and Cons from above stay the same. I will add that I despise the front seats. I am not a big guy but anything over an hour ride and my back is killing me. The lack of lumbar support is the main culprit. However, the car happily chugs along and has served as a reliable commuter, teaching aid for my kids when they were getting their drivers license, and perfect errand car. Unlike other Honda models, the resale values are not good so this car will probably soldier on in our family as an extra car. It now is showing some more wear on the exterior, the interior is a little frayed but mechanically the car is on point. I would highly recommend one for a new driver or someone looking to test the waters of hybrid ownership. I would buy another hybrid as there are less compromises now. I'm eyeballing the new Insight (ala Civic Hybrid) as a potential replacement. May 2019 Car was traded in for my daughter’s first car. This was a good entry into the hybrid experience but must confess that hybrids are world’s better now with little compromises. Still a sold used car option.
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- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
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- Value
Exceeded my expectations
chaffstealth, 08/18/2011
2011 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
15 of 19 people found this review helpful
I wanted to have a small fuel-efficient car that also fits my budget and the 2011 Honda Insight LX is just the perfect car. I narrowed down my choices to either a Fit, Ford Fiesta, and Insight. My decision to buy the Insight was because of outstanding advertised MPG. So far in the last couple of weeks I actually get to average 45 mpg mostly city driving. It is also a fun car to drive. A hybrid for $20K under is a steal! CONS: For taller people the headroom will be a challenge.