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2012 Honda Insight Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Rating: 4.23
Based on 32 Owner Reviews β–Ά
Eugene S | March 31, 2025
The 2012 Honda Insight is a compact hybrid hatchback aimed at fuel-conscious buyers. It was part of the second generation of the Insight, produced from 2010 to 2014. Key trims included the base Insight and the higher-level Insight EX. When new, the pricing ranged from around $18,500 to $23,000. It stood out for its affordability as a hybrid and its focus on maximizing fuel economy. Its Prius-like styling also contributed to its popularity as an eco-conscious choice.
The Good

The 2012 Honda Insight offered exceptional fuel efficiency, appealing to the practical buyer. Honda's reputation for reliability also provides peace of mind. While not a performance car, its hybrid powertrain provided adequate power for city driving. Its design, mimicking the Prius, signaled an environmentally conscious image to appeal to emotional buyers. It represented good value for those seeking an affordable hybrid option.

The Bad

The 2012 Honda Insight's weaknesses include its lackluster performance and relatively noisy engine. The ride quality can be firm, and the interior materials feel somewhat cheap. Some owners have reported issues with the hybrid battery pack over time, a key component to watch out for. Handling is not particularly engaging, making it less appealing to driving enthusiasts.

2012 Honda Insight: Quick Overview

  • Engine Options: 1.3-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system.
  • Horsepower: 98 horsepower combined (engine and electric motor).
  • Fuel Economy: EPA-estimated 41 mpg city / 44 mpg highway / 42 mpg combined.
  • 0-60 Times: Around 12 seconds.
  • Towing Capacity: Not recommended or rated for towing.
  • Trim-Level Features:
    • Insight (Base): Automatic climate control, power windows and locks, keyless entry, a two-speaker audio system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack, and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).
    • Insight EX: Adds alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, cruise control, a six-speaker audio system, USB audio interface, and a center armrest console. It also includes an available navigation system.
  • Safety Features (Standard): Anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), traction control, and front, side, and curtain airbags.

The 2012 Insight's hybrid system is designed for efficiency rather than outright power, which explains the relatively slow 0-60 time. The EX trim added some desirable convenience features like cruise control and a better audio system, making it a more appealing choice for many buyers.

2012 Honda Insight Specifications

Vehicle Information
Year 2012
Make Honda
Model Insight
Trim -
Style -
Type Hatchback
Category Compact Car
Manufacturing Details
Made In -
Manufacturing City -
Dimensions
Doors 4-Door
Curb Weight 2747 pounds
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating -
Overall Height 56.2 inches
Overall Length 172.3 inches
Overall Width 66.7 inches
Wheelbase Length 100.4 inches
Standard Seating 5
Engine & Performance
Engine Gas/Electric I4 1.3L/82
Engine Size 1.3L
Engine Cylinders 4
Transmission 1 Continuously Variable Transmission
Transmission Type CVT
Transmission Speeds 1-Speed
Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive
Additional Features
Anti-Brake System 4-Wheel ABS
Steering Type Electric Rack & Pinion
Pricing
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) $18,500
Invoice Price -
Delivery Charges -

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Analysis

What Problems Does the 2012 Honda Insight Have?

Frequently reported problems for the 2012 Honda Insight often revolve around the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid battery. Some owners have experienced premature battery degradation, leading to reduced fuel economy or the need for replacement. This is a common concern for older hybrid vehicles, and the Insight is no exception.

Other reported issues include problems with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), such as unusual noises or jerky acceleration. Some owners have also noted issues with the air conditioning system, particularly its effectiveness in hot weather. There have been some reports of premature brake wear as well.

Recalls for the 2012 Honda Insight were relatively limited. It's crucial to check the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) website for any outstanding recalls related to specific VINs. Long-term reliability concerns primarily focus on the longevity of the hybrid battery and the CVT transmission. Proper maintenance, including regular fluid changes, can help mitigate some of these potential issues. The model year itself doesn't necessarily have dramatically different failure rates compared to other years within the second generation, but the age of the vehicle is a significant factor in potential repairs.

How long will the 2012 Honda Insight last?

With proper maintenance, a 2012 Honda Insight can realistically reach 150,000 to 200,000 miles or more. Many owners report reaching these milestones with regular oil changes, tire rotations, and other scheduled services. However, the hybrid battery's lifespan is a significant factor. Replacement costs can be substantial. Long-term durability can be affected by climate, driving conditions, and maintenance history. Weaknesses over time include potential rust issues, especially in areas with road salt, and the gradual degradation of interior plastics. Regular inspections and proactive maintenance are key to maximizing its lifespan.

What Technology & Safety Features are Included?

The 2012 Honda Insight offers a basic level of technology for its time. Standard features include automatic climate control, power windows and locks, and a two-speaker audio system with a CD player and auxiliary input. The EX trim upgrades the audio system to six speakers and adds a USB interface. The EX trim also offers an optional navigation system.

Driver-assistance features are limited compared to modern vehicles. The Insight includes Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard safety features. There are no advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control or lane departure warning.

Safety features include front, side, and curtain airbags. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) should be consulted for specific scores. Generally, the Insight performed well in crash tests for its era, offering adequate protection in frontal and side impacts.

The technology and features are basic by today's standards. The focus was on fuel efficiency and affordability rather than cutting-edge tech. The availability of a navigation system on the EX trim was a notable upgrade at the time, but modern smartphones offer superior navigation capabilities.

What Colors Options are Available?

Exterior Colors
Alabaster Silver Metallic
Crystal Black Pearl
Mediterranean Blue Pearl
Red Ember Pearl
Tangerine Orange Pearl
Interior Colors
Gray Fabric
Blue Fabric

2012 Honda Insight Prices and Market Value

When new, the 2012 Honda Insight had an MSRP ranging from approximately $18,500 to $23,000, depending on the trim level. As of today's used market, prices typically range from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on condition, mileage, and location. The Insight has depreciated significantly over time, which is typical for older vehicles. Factors affecting resale value include the condition of the hybrid battery, the overall mechanical condition, mileage, and any accident history. Well-maintained examples with lower mileage command higher prices. Hybrid vehicles tend to depreciate more quickly than some other models due to battery replacement concerns.

2012 Honda Insight Cost of Ownership

The 2012 Honda Insight is generally considered economical to own. Insurance costs are typically lower than average due to its safety record and modest performance. Fuel costs are exceptionally low thanks to its hybrid powertrain. Routine maintenance, like oil changes and tire rotations, is relatively affordable. However, potential hybrid battery replacement can be a significant expense. Repairs, aside from the battery, are generally in line with other Hondas. Long-term ownership costs largely depend on the battery's health and maintenance diligence.

2012 Honda Insight Fuel Efficiency

Fuel Type -
Fuel Capacity 10.6 gallons
City Mileage 41 miles/gallon
Highway Mileage 44 miles/gallon

2012 Honda Insight Safety Rating

NHTSA
Overall Rating Not Tested
Overall Frontal Star Rating Not Tested
Side Overall Star Rating Not Tested
Overall Rollover Star Rating
Combined Front Seat Rating Not Tested
Combined Rear Seat Rating Not Tested
Overall Frontal Star Rating Not Tested
Frontal Barrier Star Ratings Not Tested
Overall Side Star Rating Not Tested
Side Barrier Star Ratings Not Tested
Side Pole Star Rating Not Tested
Combined Side Barrier And Side Pole Star Ratings Not Tested
Rollover Resistance Star Rating

2012 Honda Insight Warranty

Basic
Original warranty 36 months / 36,000 miles
Estimated remaining Expired
Corrosion
Original warranty 60 months / unlimited miles
Estimated remaining Expired
Drivetrain
Original warranty 60 months / 60,000 miles
Estimated remaining Expired

2012 Honda Insight Insurance

Insurance for a 2012 Honda Insight is moderately priced, reflecting its status as a Hatchback with strong safety ratings and
reasonable repair costs.

How Does the 2012 Honda Insight Compare to Other Hatchback?

The 2012 Honda Insight's main rival was the Toyota Prius. The Prius offered better fuel economy and a more refined driving experience, though it was more expensive. Another competitor was the Nissan Leaf (electric), although it had limited range compared to the Insight's hybrid system. In terms of performance, the Insight lagged behind both the Prius and even some non-hybrid compact cars. Features were basic compared to the Prius, particularly in terms of available technology.

Reliability is a strong point for both the Insight and the Prius, although battery life is a concern for older models of both. Price-wise, the Insight was often more affordable than the Prius when new, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.

Alternatives to the 2012 Honda Insight include the Toyota Prius (more refined, better fuel economy), Honda Civic Hybrid (more conventional sedan), or, if range isn't a concern, an early Nissan Leaf. A slightly newer Honda Civic offers more features and comfort for a similar used price point. For buyers prioritizing fuel economy above all else and on a tight budget, the Insight is a decent option, but the Prius is generally a better choice if the budget allows.

Ranks #58 Hatchback

1 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (0.0β˜…)
2 2023 Honda Civic Type R (1.0β˜…)
3 2023 BMW i4 (0.0β˜…)
4 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (0.0β˜…)
5 2016 Ford Focus Electric (0.0β˜…)
6 2023 Audi A7 (0.0β˜…)
7 2023 Nissan LEAF (0.0β˜…)
8 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (5.0β˜…)
9 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (0.0β˜…)
10 2023 Jaguar I-PACE (0.0β˜…)
11 2023 Tesla Model S (5.0β˜…)
12 2022 Porsche Panamera (0.0β˜…)
58 2012 Honda Insight (4.0β˜…)

Final Verdict: Is the 2012 Honda Insight a Good Hatchback?

The 2012 Honda Insight is ideal for budget-conscious buyers seeking maximum fuel economy in a used vehicle. It's worth buying if the hybrid battery is in good condition (preferably verified by a mechanic) and the price reflects its age and potential maintenance needs. It is best suited for city driving where its hybrid system shines. The EX trim offers some desirable upgrades like cruise control and a better audio system, making it a slightly better value than the base model. Given its age, buying a used Insight requires careful inspection and consideration of potential repairs, particularly the hybrid battery. If a reliable, fuel-efficient and extremely affordable vehicle is the priority, then it could be a worthwhile choice.

2012 Honda Insight Owner Reviews

4.23
Consumer Rating, Based on 32 Consumer Reviews
Overall rating
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Karen baltimore on January 4, 2021

Very God car

Very good car for the milage and ageI would definitely recommend this car to anyone looking to purchase a good car with good gas milage

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hound_hank on March 2, 2020

Great car after recalled gas engine recall replace

I bought the basic LX model new in 2012. Added after-market cruise control. The car gets incredible gas milage but it struggles on hills. The interior is comfortable, and when you lay down the rear seats, you cannot believe how much room you have to haul stuff! My only complaint on the car is that the gas engines on the 2012 Insight were faulty. They simply were built wrong, which resulted in a recall from Honda. It took me several months trying to convince Honda of the recall with my Insight until one of the 4 cylinders blew. Honda replace the engine even though the car had over a 100,000 miles. (Spring of 2018) Since the replacement, the car has performed better than ever! Only one full brake replacement and normal oil, filters and a starter battery replacement. Put some decent Michelin tires on the car. Had one alignment after bumping the curb hard while driving on snow and ice. Not a great snow performer, at all! If buying a used 2012 Insight - check to see the recall status of the engine!

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Retired part time worker on August 22, 2019

First time Honda owner

Great hybrid vehicle.....first time owning a hybrid car.....first time not owning a Volkswagen since 1979.....54 miles a gallon.....driving into the sunset with a Honda Insight for the first time!!!

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JackieP: on July 27, 2019

oil leaks into transaxle..uses6+qts ea chg.expfix

I went from a truck to two vans to the honda which I have always heard is an excellent car. But this one can only be described as a lemon. The oil leak is enormous..I had Walmart take a picture underneath and the leak is obvious going down the tranaxle and was told by a reputable mechanic to get rid of it because the fix will be in the thousands. Plus there is still a rattle under the dashboard that the service person where I bought it said "well, it would take a lot of work to find out what it is"..unbelievable..should have walked then. Now I just have to find someone to buy it. I am hopeful that a class action suit will finally become available and I will get on that. There are many comments on the internet involving this years insight.

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charles21 on June 19, 2018

Awesome Gas Mileage

Great car for travel or for work. I wouldn't recommend it for a large family cause its like a Prius in size. But it great for gas and the hatchback option lets it store more then you would think

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scotty2hoty on April 10, 2017

lemon

This car was a mistake. Piece of junk. Will never buy Honda again. Do not even think of this model -to buy or lease. Lemon. 102000 miles and the motor blew up. AND I WAS STUCK WITH THE BILL. I am very disappointed with vehicle and the good thing is-that it will paid off in about 22 months. Good bye Honda for good!

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Commuter's wife on March 18, 2015

Drinks oil

Fairly comfortable, not a bad size car. Will sometimes get more than estimated gas mileage in city driving. However, the blue tooth phone connectivity will sometimes drop randomly and the text message features are bothersome. The cup holders are too close to the dash so large cups tend to get the lids popped off and the straws touch the dash. The biggest issue I have with this car is that it consumes a lot of oil. It is worse in the hottest part of summer when it will go through about 2 qts in 1,000 miles. Even in the winter, at least a quart of oil needs to be added every 20% decrease oil life. What is also unpleasant was dealing with Honda, local and regional. Anyone I speak with is all "oh my, it shouldn't do that!" until they try to fix it and then it changes to "within spec, usually", "nothing wrong with it", and "are you sure you didn't do something to it?" After 1.5 years of commuting, it has been in the shop more times than our other 11 year old car. The error codes it throws (even when there is less than 1 qt oil missing) say continued driving of the car will void the warranty, so be ready to get it towed as the commuting driver can be stranded far from home.

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Skyislander on June 29, 2013

Excellent Commuter Vehicle

If you want one car and all you do is level-terrain driving, commuter-driving, errand-driving, then this is it. Forget the videos, I have 15,000 miles on mine and I'm getting 44mpg in Tucson blasting A/C all the time. If, on the other hand, you need one-car-fits-all I'm not sure. Im not that overweight and on long drives it's not that comfortable. If you are into gadgets be prepared the Civic lets you stream music from your phone through bluetooth but the Insight does not. That annoyed me. My ipod/iphone has to be connected to the USB to make music happen. Using hands-free via bluetooth works great- really great actually. Just not streaming music and I don't think any bluetooth radio I've seen does a good job with iPod navigation. Let's get back to the part about how this is a car for driving/commuting. On one long drive through mountains coming out of San Diego my brother drove his top of the line Prius (with solar roof panels) and he had nothing on me in terms of speed and I beat him on gas mileage-- and I was using the paddle shifters to over-ride the automatic transmission. Let's talk transmission. I think CVT is the best things since sliced bread for transmissions and the Insight is very smooth. It's also silky quiet. The shuddering thing (in Econ mode the engine literally turns off at stoplights and then when you release the break pedal to go, it starts back up again instantly) I've read is not something I've experienced on mine- 2013 model. If you think its there and it bugs you then hit the econ button and the engine won't stop at traffic lights. I think the econ button mainly helps you if you want to modify your driving habits to maximize fuel economy by giving you excellent visual LCD indicators that give you instant feedback if you are driving. Now remember, if you turn off the Econ button then here's a tip: If you drive like your great grandma, you will get phenomenal gas mileage-- up to just under 50mpg in my case. If you drive like you're 16, open container, and you just stole something, you'll have to settle for 42-43mpg. I drive it like I really mean it and blast the A/C all the time and I get 44 mpg. The engine is quiet and I think very refined but obviously not powerful. If you need to romp, get a car with a more powerful engine. If driving the legal speed limit annoys you, get a different car. If you really need to drive through floods and rutted roads on a routine basis, don't get this car. If you drive with a lot of combined weight in the vehicle get a different car. If you go up and down mountains, get a different car. If you are the type of person who wants to feel wrapped in cast-iron and on-top-of-everybody-else when you drive I don't think you'll be happy with the Insight. On the other hand consider this. Let's start with those reviewer videos. If you look at the "professional" video-reviews and wonder if the reviewers are Toyota employees, trust your gut and buy this car, made by Honda-- I'm not a Honda employee and I don't work in (or on) "cars." If you want a vehicle meticulously engineered with state-of-the-art technology to provide comfort over short-medium distances, hi-tech features like Continuously Variable Transmission, traction and tire sensors, and oh by the way 44 mpg all at a very compelling price from a company renowned for quality, reliability, and longevity, then buy this car.

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hins2012 on April 14, 2013

Good and the bad

After driving for few weeks: Positives: Handles well, responsive, over 51mpg computed (dash says 54mpg) for 4 weeks of suburban driving. Negatives: seats are not comfortable and leaves you feeling tired if you have to drive long. Steering makes it hard to see speed gauge.

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disappointed on April 4, 2013

dodgeperson

uncomfortable, poor interior design, no place to hang a garbage sack, emergency brake takes up space that most cars use for a console area, cheap seat covers, just not satisfied...paid less for other makes and models that were fine

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Eugene S

Eugene is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. As a writer at VINCheck.info, he brings deep industry insight and a passion for cars, helping readers make smart, informed decisions. Eugene has written hundreds of used car reviews and is known for breaking down complex automotive topics into clear, actionable advice. Over the years, he has driven and worked on a wide range of vehiclesβ€”starting with tuning street cars in his early days and eventually focusing on performance upgrades and reliability improvements. Today, he specializes in evaluating used vehicles through the lens of real-world ownership and enthusiast needs. A longtime fan of Porsche, Eugene especially appreciates vehicles that blend durability with driving enjoyment.