Used 2014 Honda Insight Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2014 Insight, so we've included reviews for other years of the Insight since its last redesign.
2012 Insight EX with Navi
john57110, 12/21/2011
2012 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback w/Navigation (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
114 of 114 people found this review helpful
I recently purchased a Black Insight EX with Navi after careful comparison with the Prius. I concluded that the Insight is a much better value, ($10,000 less than top of the line Prius, although it doesn't offer quite as many options) and is much more enjoyable to drive. I purchased this as a commuter car (60 mile round trip to work) and for running errands. I consistently avg 45mpg (calculated by fuel up to miles driven). Overall I am very pleased with this vehicle and believe it would have see better sales if it was marketed better. Also, contrary to Edmunds review this car is capable of electric only operation although in very limited circumstances (flat level ground under 25 mph).
Honda's Gift to the World
swarfer, 03/25/2012
2012 Honda Insight EX PZEV 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
37 of 37 people found this review helpful
The Insight is a essentially a super efficient fwd conventional automobile. The hybrid system is a small DC motor/generator is wound around the output shaft of the engine and provides power for acceleration and recharges the battery when coasting. Streamlined and somewhat narrow, big and unusually tall folks will not be comfortable. Soccer moms will find the hatchback storage too small. The interior is crisp and functional but upscale buyers will likely opt for something more sophisticated. The Insight is capable of 50+mpg but hyper milers will want more. For me, it is a brilliantly simple design that is affordable, economical, beautiful and a pleasure to drive.
2014 Honda Insight for sale near you
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Excellent Value and Fun to Drive
swarfer, 09/28/2013
2012 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
25 of 25 people found this review helpful
This is my second review after one year. I'm averaging 48-49 mpg but routinely get 60+ during ideal conditions. To get the most out of the Insight you need to drive it correctly otherwise you will be disappointed. The Insight is a very efficient conventional automobile with hybrid assist. It is very affordable being less complicated than the Prius. As an engineer I find the Insight brillaintly simple while the Prius is more a technological feat. Note that if climate control is in auto the engine will start as necessary at stoplights to maintain the desired temperature. This has been incorrectly reported in a number of reviews. No problems and I would buy again without reservation.
Honda Insight, the unknown deal
insightdriver, 06/09/2013
2013 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
39 of 40 people found this review helpful
I compared several vehicles that met my requirements in a new vehicle and the Insight showed up. I had never heard of one before. Perhaps it is so unknown because Honda does not promote it. Few people are familiar with it but it meets my needs perfectly. I do not think most of the criticisms of it are fair. It is not noisy. It is comfortable. It runs smoothly and the gas mileage is terrific. The AC does turn off when the engine stops at lights, etc. but that is overcome by moving the car into Park which I do in our recent 100 degree weather. It is fun to drive. I am not a car nut. I expect my vehicles to get me where I am going as cheaply as possible. The Honda Insight LX does that.
Honda Insight Base
steve190, 04/29/2011
2011 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
19 of 19 people found this review helpful
Fun car for the money, yeah you won't win any races with it but that is not what it was designed for. If you are looking for a car that is reasonably fun to drive and great on gas if you drive it right check out the Insight. You can do better on mileage with the Prius but you will also pay more for it and in my opinion the Honda drives and handles much better. Try them both and decide for yourself. Excellent value for a hybrid! Loving it so far!
Far Exceeded Expectations
inrva, 09/24/2013
2013 Honda Insight EX PZEV 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
I almost didn't buy it based on some of the professional reviews I read, but I decided to go by those written by real consumers, and I am glad I did. The car is flawless, fun to drive, and very will built. I has enough power to get up on the freeway and keeps up with traffic while getting over 45 mpg, and I drive it very hard. I have found the ride to be good, not harsh, and is similar to other small cars of similar weight. I am 6'3" and have plenty of room and comfort. It is not a Prius, and does not try to be. It is the original hybrid, predating the Prius. The unit is one of the few fully built in Japan, and the quality demonstrates that very well.
Money saver
barbarossa3, 02/25/2012
2011 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
We've had our insight for 10 months now and have been completely satisfied with the car. We normally achieve 43-46 mpg CITY ! At 75 on an interstate it drops to 40 MPG but I usually get 50-53 on a 55 mph highway. Some routes to work net me 53 mpg city. We replaced a 4.2 litre Ford Freestar which gave 17-19 mpg city and are saving the entire car payment in cost savings. Free Car!! Ride is a little rough and firm as new cars go(typical for Honda). Interior on LX is a little too plastic. Blind spots are awful in traffic.
I Love my 2012 Insight Base model
dnatech, 07/01/2013
updated 07/01/2016
2013 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
I am always surprised to see so few (I should say rarely) Insights on the road. Toyota Prius seem to be the only hybrid people think of. Not only the Prius is expensive, I am not so sure it's a better car: Insight dashboard is better and the possibility of disabling the automatic traction(not available in the Prius) in case of getting stuck in the snow is a plus in the Northeast.
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2012 Honda Insight with Engine Repair
Sarah, 05/26/2017
2012 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
Yes, my Honda Insight had the notorious engine problem with high oil consumption. I bought a 2-year warranty and Honda also extended the engine warranty. When I started having problems, I took my car back to the dealership where I bought the car and spoke with the service manager. He was very prompt and helpful - they rebuilt my engine and even arranged a loaner car for me to use. The warranty coverage that I have did pay the entire cost of repair, labor and the loaner. I had about $6,000 worth of services, but didn't have to pay a cent. I was basically given a new engine at no charge. I definitely recommend knowing your warranty and speaking with a Honda dealer if you suspect that your Insight may be part of the group that has oil consumption problems. /// Regarding how the car rides, I will say that it is a lower end Honda and drives as such. The acceleration isn't very powerful so don't expect a quick getaway if you need to quickly pass another vehicle on a hill. It does drive smoothly at interstate speeds and has minimal engine noise. The interior is comfortable and has enough leg room for those of us with longer legs. The AC isn't as powerful as I would like. Overall, I do like my car. It works well for my day trips and my everyday driving. I don't think it would be powerful enough to really do a lot of mountainous driving. I live in a very hilly region and it does okay, but for the more rigorous driving areas, I would opt for a different car that offers more power.
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Don't sweat the official reviews -it's a great car
Nick, 02/25/2021
updated 02/26/2024
2011 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric mild hybrid CVT)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I bought my Insight after a bit of trepidation. Everyone's a critic now when it comes to cars. We generally read so much about cars and form opinions of them without ever having driven them. Car mag reviewers seemed to hate the quality of plastics, harsh ride and excessive noise. Things are never enough for them when held up to the massively expensive cars they usually ride in. Jeremy Clarkson moaned about the CVT transmission. But Honda was early to the game with it on this car. Many cars have a CVT now. Clarkson even called it "biblically terrible" and "really, to get an idea of how awful it is, you’d have to sit a dog on a ham slicer." They also compare it unfavorably to the Prius, the worst cut of all. Well, challenge accepted. Consider this the contrarian's choice. Honda built this thing as the cheapest hybrid you could buy. Bombproof, easy to work on (when it needs work, which is never), enjoyable to drive and cheap. It won't do 0-60 in 7 seconds or carry 5 adults comfortably. What it will do is get you around comfortably enough 97% of the time. If you read the manual just for a few minutes you can adjust the settings to your liking. Want all the doors to stay unlocked when you start moving? You can do that. Want the engine to not turn off when you stop at lights? Turn off the eco button. I was a bit worried about the hybrid battery (aka IMA battery) failing at some point and being massively expensive to fix. 10 years later and it's working fine. You can't even find people talking about it in forums because it doesn't seem to happen much at all. The Insight forum is about the most boring one anywhere because nothing ever happens to these cars. They just work. All people find themselves talking about is responding to newbies asking how concerned they should be about the battery failing, what mileage they're getting, and answering other people who wandered in from the first generation Insight forum by accident. If you enjoy working on cars, get something else. This one will bore you because there's never anything to fix. Routine maintenance like oil changes gets done twice a year and that's all it needs. It does need 8 spark plugs (2 per cylinder) at 105K miles but that can be done easily after removing a couple of panels. CVT needs to have the fluid changed every 30K miles. But really, is that a big deal? If you do your homework you'll want to know if the IMA system had the software updated. There were some early problems with it when climbing hills that were fixed. The 2012-13 models have a slightly updated engine that had a nasty habit of burning large amounts of oil because of a new kind of piston ring that was supposed to reduce friction. Make sure those had the engine fixed. The 2010, 2011, or 2014 are the ones to get. You'll also want to make sure the regular 12V battery in the engine bay doesn't get more than about 3 years old as a low 12V battery causes issues with the IMA system. Update: It's been over 3 years and 40K miles that I've had this car and nothing to report. It simply works. I also learned that it was rated by Consumer Reports as the top pick for reliability. It was also the top selling automobile in Japan when released. Still no concerns about the IMA battery. I did replace the 12V battery recently as the last one was good for 3 years, as expected. I have winter tires on it now and it's been fun to drive in the snow.
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17K Miles later...
nickdapit, 11/13/2011
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
So far I couldn't ask for much more from the car, I bought the car specificlly for my job as I drive large stretches of the country. My latest trip took me from Los Angeles to Denver; then Denver to Seattle; then Seattle back to Los Angeles. I have had no problems with the car and average the EPA estimate for driving. (42 mpg) The only thing that dissappoints me is the rear seat area, a six foot man cannot fit even with a 5 foot driver in the front seat. Headroom is almost ridiculous to the point where Honda should have just made an inch or two higher for the rear seats even if that cost the vehicle 2 mpg's overall! The leg room is very tight in the rear. Don't buy if family is large.
My experience with both Insight and Prius
blahblah_gc, 05/19/2014
2013 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought a Prius 4 yrs ago and I like the car. With the fact that Honda is discontinuing the car, and I didn't want Toyota to earn all my money so I decided to buy a new Insight. Surprisingly my decision is well made. Like I said Prius is a good car, I can get 60 MPG if I drive it really carefully (by pissing off many other drivers). But Insight makes you forget that you are driving a hybrid and still get you pretty decent mileage. Honda is definitely more fun to drive compared to Toyota; the handling is much better. Although its not as spacious as to Prius, its not bad at all. Bottom line, both cars are good, but Insight is a car with more fun.
Great car
jakata, 07/28/2011
2011 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I've had my Insight for a week now and I'm very pleased. Very comfortable, I don't notice much road noise as mentioned in the Edmund review. Although it's a very small car it has a excellent ride and feel of a much larger car. I'm getting 45 mpg with air on all the time. I love it's looks and feel. After researching every car out there I feel I made an excellent decision.
Had to have Another
gillie108, 10/18/2013
2013 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I bought my wife a 2011 Honda Insight. As of now she has 23746 miles and has purchased 533.715 gallons of gas(yes, we record Odom-trip-# of gal-price per gal and date). Currently getting 44.49 mpg and that is actual all driving mpg! I was so impressed I traded in my Chevy HHR for my own 2012 Insight. As of now my Insight has 13818 miles on 305.667 gallons for 45.20 actual MPG and that is city and highway combined! Yes the AC turns off when I sit at a red light. I drive from the NJ suburbs to block b4 the Holland Tunnel, so my ride isn't smooth sailings! The ride in my Insight makes this commute bearable.
Best Bang For Your Buck!
mikeyt1818, 02/22/2011
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
I get better MPG's than EPA estimates (45.2 w/ mixed driving and AC always on). Great steering/handling! Awesome safety features, reliable. ITS NOT A PRIUS! Lol! Nothing against Toyota but way too many Prius drivers out there. I prefer to be distinct!
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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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.
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.
Insightful Overachiever
theshenami, 11/12/2014
2013 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Have had my Insight EX for 6 months now, and after ~6k miles driven I have come to love this little hybrid. I consistently get over 50 MPG driving through Los Angeles rush hour traffic (based on miles driven/gallons filled), despite an EPA estimated 42 MPG, while a cursory review of fuelly-dot-com or fueleconomy-dot-gov suggests the Prius tends to get below its EPA rating. This fact, combined with much better handling and brakes than Prius family members, makes me love it! It is a bit lacking in rear seat space, but it has plenty of room for my daily commute, and running about town with wife and son in tow (can fit stroller and week's worth of groceries with ease in the cargo bay).
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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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.
Final review after 6 years and 130K
Mattwc1, 06/28/2019
2011 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
The is the final review of my 2011 Insight Base. I purchased this used in 2013 for a little over 12k ( w/ 12k mileage) and just traded it in last month. Pros: *MPG exceeded EPA ( averaged 45mpg throughout ownership w/ high of 63 and low in high 30s) *extremely reliable (no unforeseen maintenance items during ownership) *Easy car for first time drivers/ city dwellers Cons: *(IMO) Front seats uncomfortable for longer drives *Fabric easy to stain *Slow even by economy car standards Items of note: Maintenance items easy to change (oil/ trans fluid) Brakes changed at 115K, front pads still had about 10K life left Engine is a twin sparkplug design CVT fluid changes every other oil change (approx every 18K). Easy to do and good insurance Hybrid Battery pack had no appreciable degradation over life of car
My Insight
Phillip, 06/07/2020
updated 12/10/2021
2014 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My Insight - 2014, that is! I have owned my 2014 Insight for 4 years as of May 2021 and it has been an outstanding vehicle. Mine is the EX without navigation and otherwise loaded. I use a Garmin Drive 60 for GPS and it fits nicely on the dash without any windshield obstruction. I average 40 MPG in the city and 50 MPG on the highway. I have always used premium gasoline; however, the lower grades are rated as OK. With this milage the price difference in grades is miniscule. This was the last in this Insight series. Honda re-launched a new Insight series that has an electric-only initial phase with the gasoline engine starting at higher speeds. The milage on the new series is basically the reverse of the MPG I am experiencing; this new series has better city than highway MPG. The 2014 Insight has IMA, Integrated Motor Assist, so the electric motor kicks in at various times to increase torque and the associated MPG. This car is fast off the line (high torque) and handles like a sports car on the turns. The cruse control is excellent and contributes to the MPG and if needed a downshift is possible from the paddle-shifters that immediately puts the CVT (continuously variable transmission) into manual select. I purchased this Honda Insight as a Certified Pre-Owned Dealer Demonstrator, thus I am the single owner. I purchased the Honda Extended Warranty (transferable) for 8 Years/100,000 miles. This is a great car that I love to drive. I sold this Insight to a Honda dealer in August 2021 and now drive a Suburban that has been customized for overlanding. I miss my Insight. It was my favorite Honda.
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Basic down to earth hybrid
readykilowatt, 05/08/2014
2011 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
We have owned our 2010 insight for three years and have 37,000 miles on it. The professional reviews are right in that it is a lot like the early Japanese cars that were on the market in the 70's which were very reliable but very basic in design. If you want a reliable small cars for commuting back and forth, it is a great purchase. We use it to go back and forth to town and it gets us about 50 mpg as it seems to love going about 50 mph. Yes it rides a little hard and is short on sound insulation but for what we use it for, it's ideal. I wouldn't use it for a long drive though. We'll be passing it on to the children and probably getting another the last year of production.
Honda Insight Delivers Fun & Savings
rfbronk1, 06/27/2011
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I really like my Honda Insight EX in polished metal. I am getting better than 40 MPG and what I really like it how well it drives. I like the hatch feature and the styling. The Insight is just sharp and it works nicely. I like the ECO feature - when you stop in traffic it just stops! I tried the Prius but found the Insight to just be more fun. Also - the Insight EX is a much better value. I am very pleased with my choice.
One of the best cars I have ever owned.
Chris P, 08/04/2015
2011 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
The Insight is hands down one of the best cars I have ever owned. I own and operate a small courier business and drive over 40,000 miles a year and this car never stops impressing me. Even at 148,000 miles this car has never asked for anything except basic maintenence and one set of front brakes. The ride and handeling are very good for the cost of the vehicle and the driver's seat is exceedingly comfortable even for long trips. It is a basic car in terms of luxury but it has a lot of nice features that overall make it comfortable, and the handeling and overall driving experience is impressive for a vehicle I'm this price range. I always get better mpg than the car is rated for without really trying. You get a lot for your money with this vehicle.
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Quigz Review
quigz, 03/24/2011
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
26 of 36 people found this review helpful
I traded in a 2004 Pontiac GTO! I had a 5.7 liter V8 gas monster, and traded this in for a gas saver. I don't care to much about being green, I care about saving money, and the Insight allows me to do just that in gas. I love this car! I save so much money in gas it is unreal. I have a 10 gallon gas tank and get over 60 MPG! I get triple the gas mileage now. I get $30 in gas every seven days as opposed to $45 every three days. I am using a solar panel now to increase my MPG's [violative content deleted]
Fair warning, don't do it
John, 01/22/2017
2012 Honda Insight PZEV 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I'm writing this now because I have to trade my 2012 Insight in at 108k miles. The first year was great with the exception of the fact that when you stop, the engine cuts out (which is normal) but as it's syncing back up to accelerate, it rocks back and forth. One person got into a minor accident with me, she ran a red light because of texting and I didn't see her, she slammed into my passenger side front part of the car at around 15 mph. This crunched most of the car, I learned then just how fragile the car was, it's a tin can, someone hits you, you're not looking good. So otherwise, it got it's 44 mpg on the highway. I started a family and the backseat is tiny, the overhead part is tiny, don't buy this car if you're over 6 feet tall, it's just so uncomfortable for the back and even in the front, you can't get a good feeling in that seat ,it's very tight. So why am I trading it in? Well, the car broke down, engine light, VSA, Hill stability something, I dont know, end result was that oil has flooded the engine, seals broke down. It explains why I needed oil changes more often. the 0W-20 the car takes needed it every 2500 - 3000 miles (sometimes sooner towards the end). It wasn't leaking, the guy in the dealership (full support, how nice of them, of COURSE they'd support me, I'm trying to figure out just what's going on) said that the nut on the oil can on the bottom was loose and I was losing oil while driving. So now I have no engine, and a battery that's showing signs of needing to be replaced, and it's just very disappointing. The rule is, if you buy hybrid, save up a bunch because the battery bill will be big. If you buy this hybrid, don't. It's got way too many issues compared to even a normal hybrid, people don't even want to work on this because of the compactedness of the engine. I bought a Honda thinking it would last, not this Honda. No way. Avoid!
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Better than I expect
lvtyh, 11/07/2013
2013 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Just bought the 2013 insight ex for 19,580 before tax. Today I fill up the first tank of gas. It's 314.7 miles and 6.452 gallons of gas, average 48.78 mpg. I drive half/half city and highway. The mpg is much better than I expect. I like the insight style better than the prius both inside/outside. When I press the gas pedal, the car respond better than the prius. Plus the prius is $3500 more than the insight. I tested drive both but then chose the insight. I think I made the right choice.
LOVE my 2011 EX Insight
rjbjr5, 05/31/2011
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
13 of 19 people found this review helpful
The main reason I love the Honda Insight is the gas mileage I'm getting. I had a 2006 Pacifica, getting 18-19 MPGs... now I average about 42 MPG just running errands and back & forth to work. Drove to NH & back and got 48.6 MPGs - calculated manually (miles/gallons). I am saving at least 1/2 my monthy car payment in gas each month! Driving it is fun & feels sturdy... it's a smooth ride and I never can tell when transitioning from gas to battery etc. Since this is only the 2nd year of the new Insight, I'm really hoping the engine etc. is made as well as all other Hondas and will last just as long... time will tell.
50K Miles Later
spartan949, 09/18/2013
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have owned my Insight since March 2011 and have driven 50,000 miles. I have averaged 41.3 MPG for the entire life of the car so far, which is what I expected and am very pleased. I have had to do nothing but 5 oil changes, air filter, cabin filter and one CVT trans fluid change as recommended. There have been no other issues with the vehicle. Tires are finally bald and will be replaced at 50K miles as well. Number don't lie though, I did the calculations and with the lower price and good fuel economy you would have to own the Prius for 7-8 years before it would start saving you money over the Insight.
Worst car I've ever owned!!
KB, 08/07/2016
2012 Honda Insight EX PZEV 4dr Hatchback w/Navigation (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 13 people found this review helpful
Bought a 2012 with 96,000. Yes, the mileage was a little high but we got a brat deal. My husband drives an 11 year old Accord and has never has as much as a sneeze. During our last oil change, our mechanic commented how low the oil level was and thought it was due to my neglegance for not bringing it in sooner. 6 months later, the engine died. And I mean beyond repair. To replace the engine would have been 10,000 and that still wouldn't have fixed all the problems we had. Our mechanic was appalled to see a Honda such poor quality and ours is not an outlier. Please, please do not buy this car!! Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money on a Prius, that's what we did and it is a far, far superior car.
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Not worth it
Tyler, 03/05/2016
2013 Honda Insight PZEV 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
If you buy an early made insight you'll have a high oil consumption. You're dealership won't recognize it because Honda has deemed all engines can have a 1 qt per 1000 mile oil consumption. Most engines have close to or above 4 qts of oil this car suggests 2.9 or 3.4 to top it off. My car loses .75 of a quart, if you do the math that leaves me 1.15 qts at 3000 miles and less than 0 at 5000 miles. According to Honda this isn't a problem though. So my advice is go with a different vehicle.
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Enjoying my '11 EX Insight
benjiej, 01/21/2011
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
12 of 20 people found this review helpful
OK, I had a 2010 Insight LX, but only for a few months. There were many things I didn't like, but most of them were due to features I had given up by choosing the LX instead of the EX. I have been driving the 2011 EX for about a month and I am much happier with this car. Some of this is subjective, but it seems to drive better than the 2010, the transitions from electric to gas aren't as noticeable (the 2010 shuddered annoyingly), the Auto Stop engages for longer periods at stop lights, and of course I love the features the EX offers over the LX. (note that the 2011 LX has gained many features that my 2010 did not have). For the way I drive it's a great car.
Feel Very Betrayed by Honda
Old Newsboy, 05/04/2021
2013 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback w/Navigation (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought the car new in 2013 and initially enjoyed it quite a bit. It handles well, has some good toys (I had the EX with Navigation), gets really good mileage. But around 50K miles I started getting warning lights, the car would act weird, used a lot of oil. Finally got a diagnosis from my indie car repair guy (who I trust way more than the dealer) that this model has piston issues and may need some expensive repair. I then find out from Honda, “Oh, we extended your warranty 8 years but your one month outside the warranty!” Gee, thanks! My dealer was no hope either. So thanks, Honda. Over the past 30 years I’ve owned 6 different models but now, we are done. If you want a used hybrid, this is not the car.
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You'll be sorry
judy, 11/30/2015
updated 07/12/2016
2013 Honda Insight EX PZEV 4dr Hatchback w/Navigation (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 16 people found this review helpful
This is the most uncomfortable, loud, gutless car you can buy. The mileage is not worth it, and goes down quickly if you have to do even small inclines. (not hills, just normal on the freeway or average road inclines) There is no way to get your money out of it if you buy it new. You can't hold a conversation without yelling in the car because of the noise. The car is so gutless, you put yourself at risk to pull out of your street if you see another car coming. Not to mention you can't see out of the car easily at all. A lot of blind spots. Don't get the light fabric seats. They stain with water. You may not listen to this. That's fine, but be warned, you will not be happy. Update 7/2016 - this car continues to disappoint me. You will never even break almost even on this car. It will be huge loss. I can only hope it can make it until I can afford to put it down.
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Disappointed
tradingitin, 08/23/2012
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 11 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car for four months and I'm trading it in next week. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is annoying -- when you step on the gas, there's a delayed reaction. It revs noisily during entire acceleration arc. Very gutless. Most of my driving is city and MPG averages about 39. Above 65 miles per hour, MPG drops to low 30s. In Econ mode, AC stops with engine at stoplights. Rear seatbelts get pinned behind seats after folding them up. Cramped back seat leads to dirty upholstery when kids with dirty feet climb in. Paint job is SOFT and easily scratched. Body style is typical hybrid ugly, grille is inexplicably gray... would look much better matching the body.
Insight fan
William R, 07/14/2018
2011 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is a great value in a car. I have gotten on average about 43 mpg. This is my second Insight, my first 4 seater. I have owned Hondas since 9/1979. I have been very pleased with the various models that I have owned (3 Civics, 2 Insights and 1 CRX). My current Insight has been the best.
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Worst car I’ve ever owned
Doug, 06/26/2020
updated 08/27/2020
2013 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is terrible. First thing first I’m 6’1” and it’s horribly uncomfortable. I felt fine when test driving it. About 6 months of commuting 45 mins each way to work, my hip started hurting all the time. The angle of the drivers seat makes it so that your knees are always way above your hip and the back pushes your shoulders forward, the worst. Now on to the bad stuff. . . I bought the car with around 25,000 miles. At 50,000 miles the warranty ended, at 52,000 the engine died. Oil was flooding the pistons and Honda said I needed a new engine. The cost was $8,000. Luckily the dealer was great and gave me a “good faith warranty” and replaced the engine at no cost to me. Fabulous. But hard to trust this car now. 62,000 miles, the passenger door and trunk won’t open. The lock actuator needs replaced. But since the door won’t open things are gonna break forcing it open to repair. Total cost $2,000. Also it will take over a week to get all the parts. I hate this car. WTF.
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great car, comfortable, best gas mileage
jml16, 10/02/2011
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful
We get 41 MPG in the city & up to 48 on the HWY. we don't find road noise to be excessive. we have had the car approx 7 months. the dealer is terrific. the mechanics are local & loyal. at least 1 has been there over 20 years. Only issue is people that are heavy & tall cannot ride easily.
My worst purchase ever
vadbrown, 05/10/2012
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 26 people found this review helpful
I loved the test drive. I should have spent more time doing it. I would have found out what was wrong. I realized it was a mistake to buy the car as soon as I got on the highway after leaving the dealership. I noticed several bad things immediately - road noise, very bumpy ride and no passing power. After driving it for a few days commuting back and forth to work, I began having horrible headaches. This was the thing that really made me sell the car. My guess is that it had something to do electromagnetic radiation from the hybrid motor and wires that go through the cabin. Never buying a hybrid again until they do studies on this. Lost $7k selling it back in 2 months.
Excellent, but ...
kojo1, 11/11/2013
2013 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
26 of 93 people found this review helpful
Pros: The obvious--excellent gas mileage. Test drove and got over 50 mpg consistently. The car has decent low end torque, so will pick up if you want it to. The green eco invites you to continually drive conservatively to maintain good mpg. The stereo system is fairly good quality. Hatchback opens easily. Nice storage. Has spare tire. The drive is very silky and smooth. The best CVT I've driven. The turning radius is incredible. Will turn on the dime. Handles beautifully around curves. Suspension very sturdy with bumps. Ignition is seemless and strong. Cons: The major con is the incredible uncomfortable driving seat. More below.
WORST CAR IVE EVER OWNED
Mansoor ahmed, 12/09/2016
2011 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 12 people found this review helpful
I was looking for a hybrid car and wwanted to buy a certified pre owned vehicle for warranty. The Honda insight seemed suitable and fit in my price range. I paid over 14k USD for this car about 1.5 years ago. This car is terrible. The CVT transmission is pathetic and the acceleration in this car is a joke. The sseats are extremely uncomfortable and the visibility in this car is terrible. I constantly have to go to the dealership for a faulty tire pressure sensor on this car. Also, this car lacks so many basic features. There aren't mirrors in this car. No Bluetooth. I've looked up the current bluebook value of the car and its only worth around $6k now. That is terrible depreciation in value and I will never buy a Honda again. I'm stuck with this car now since I paid so much for it 18 months ago and its worth literally NOTHING now. I would have been better off buying a Mercedes Benz for the price I paid. Absolutely disgusting Honda crap.
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Honda Insight 2011 Its a Beast!!!
mike.a, 08/26/2018
2011 Honda Insight EX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
ok if you do find one now because its an oldie 2011 its a good buy but drive the car first, make sure you check everything and ask all the questions you need make sure is certified and that the battery was changed or charged at 60000 or 100000 if its over that many miles. My car its a beast because I don't treat it like one, you drive with patience and discipline and it can take you to the moon its over 125000 miles and drives great I have confidence in my car only problems ever has been my wheel studs from dumb people changing tires at a wheel place, but you can changed it and fixed it on your own. Besides tires knock on wood nothing else has been an issue on it thank god the car its a monster yes the oil changes are expensive but at the dealer its cheaper but you wait a long time that is all patience once again if you do not have any do not buy this car lol
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A temple to efficiency, Honda style
Ron in Concord, 06/15/2025
2011 Honda Insight LX 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric mild hybrid CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is amazingly fuel efficient. I routinely get over 50 mpg, in mixed city/highway driving. My record is 59.9 mpg for a single tank of gas, and 87 mpg for a single, 7 mile trip. This car is more comfortable in city driving, being small, and manoeuvrable. On the highway you are all too aware of how low to the ground it is. It is also quite underpowered, so merging and passing are things you need to plan ahead for. Also, the seats aren't the most comfortable for long-distance driving, which makes the 500-600 mile range on one tank of gas a bit useless. I've had my Insight since it was new. It's been very reliable, and cheap to maintain. The biggest negative has been the size of the car. Other drivers (here in New England) don't seem to see (or possibly care about) such a small vehicle, and you have to get used to slamming on the brakes without notice.
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honda insight defect
peteb, 12/04/2022
2013 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
had the car for 4 months and the engine seized up due to known issue with excessive oil.consumption. Honda extended the warranty for 8 years but refused to honor the repair. so its a paper weight right now.....am very disappointed in honda. won't buy another one.
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Love my Insight
Tess, 12/01/2020
2012 Honda Insight LX PZEV 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
My insight is great on gas and has just the room I need to carry things for my family. I wish Honda would come out with a new Insight model. Until then, I'm keeping my Insight.
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It’s apparently tasty
Kat, 01/14/2019
2011 Honda Insight 4dr Hatchback (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
0 of 10 people found this review helpful
3 times now rodents have chewed through hoses!! This caused the car to leak gas several times. I’m stuck with a car I’m scared to drive. The IMA light & the tire light comes on constantly. I can’t afford to do a trade in because the value on the car has dropped drastically. There is no Bluetooth. The visibility through the back is awful. The only technology is 1 USB hub & a connection for a FireWire.
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