2012 & 2013 Honda Hatchback Reviews & Ratings

Japanese auto manufacturer Honda hasn't always been known for its sporty wagon models. In fact, until the mid-1970s, it was really known for its motorcycles, which the company still builds today. However, in recent years, Honda's hatchbacks have really gained a following. For the 2012 year, Honda is offering four hatchback models: the Honda Insight, the Honda Fit, the Honda CR-Z, and the Honda Crosstour.

Most Americans didn't know what to make of the Honda Insight when it first hit U.... (full review continues below)

Japanese auto manufacturer Honda hasn't always been known for its sporty wagon models. In fact, until the mid-1970s, it was really known for its motorcycles, which the company still builds today. However, in recent years, Honda's hatchbacks have really gained a following. For the 2012 year, Honda is offering four hatchback models: the Honda Insight, the Honda Fit, the Honda CR-Z, and the Honda Crosstour.

Most Americans didn't know what to make of the Honda Insight when it first hit U.S. shores in second-generation form in early 2009 at a five-door compact hatchback. (It had been previously sold elsewhere from 1999-2006). As a hybrid model, it opened the door to many new hybrid vehicles in the U.S. For the 2012 year, the Honda Insight hatchback has a starting price of $18,350 and achieves a whopping 41 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. It has an extremely low price for a hybrid model, but it's sometimes overshadowed by its arch nemesis: the Toyota Prius. For the 2012 year, the Insight comes in several trims: the PZEV, the Base, the LX, the LX PZEV, the EX PZEV, and the EX trim. Even at its highest trim's starting price, the Insight comes in under $22k. It received a mild refresh for the 2012 year, including interior and exterior upgrades.

The 2012 Honda Crosstour has a new name this year. It was previously called the Honda Accord Crosstour. The Honda Accord first premiered three decades ago and has always been known for offering a great daily driving experience. The Accord is known for being roomy, comfortable, easy to drive, and reliable. Though the Crosstour wagon is still based on the Accord, it offers more versatility and utility in its wagon form. The 2012 Crosstour achieves 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway and has a starting price of $30,340. It competes with the Chevy Equinox and the Toyota Venza.

The Honda CR-Z's name is forged from the iconic Honda CRX that dates it by two decades. The 2012 Honda CR-Z starts under $20k. It's sporty and fuel efficient, with fuel economy ratings of 31 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. This hatchback comes in base and EX models and returns essentially unchanged for the current year. The CR-Z competes with such vehicles as the Hyundai Veloster, and the Mini Cooper, as well as the Ford Fiesta and Chevy Sonic.

Finally, the Honda Fit rounds out this year's lineup. It was introduced just a few years ago as gas prices sky-rocketed as a subcompact 4-door hatchback and succeeded because of it. The fit comes in base and sport trims and a five-speed manual transmission. It has a starting price of only $15,175 and achieves 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. This Honda wagon is versatile and roomy, as well as fun to drive. It has excellent safety and visibility features, and it competes against the Ford Fiiesta and the Hyundai Accent.