Overview & Reviews

Introduced in the mid 2000s just as gas prices were beginning to race skyward, the Honda Fit immediately became a hit with frugal car shoppers. A subcompact four-door hatchback, the Honda Fit has earned praise for its world-class engineering and design, and it has definitely found its niche with consumers, particularly with the second-generation model. With either generation, you'll find crisp handling, an adaptable interior, high-quality fit and finish and a relatively low price. An all-new third-generation Fit is also on its way. For small-car shoppers, the Honda Fit represents an almost ideal package.

Current Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is available in two main trim levels: base and Sport. Both come with a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 117 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a five-speed automatic transmission being optional. Paddle shifters are included with the automatic for the Sport version. Fuel economy is respectably good with either transmission.

On the base Fit, air-conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry a tilt-and-telescoping steering column and a four-speaker audio system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack and iPod/USB audio interface are standard. The Honda Fit Sport gains bigger wheels, sportier exterior trim details and a six-speaker audio system. Fit Sports can also be optioned with a touchscreen navigation system that includes Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and voice controls.

The Fit is Honda's smallest automotive product, but it nearly matches the total passenger space of the larger Civic sedan. To help achieve this, Honda has installed a compact rear suspension design and placed the fuel tank underneath the passenger seat. Another key advantage for the Fit is its innovative, highly versatile rear seating arrangement. The "Magic Seat" has seatbacks that fold flat and seat cushions that can be flipped upward, creating a tall load area right behind the front seats -- sort of like a crew cab pickup's rear seats. Maximum cargo capacity is an impressive 57 cubic feet.

In reviews, we've found the Honda Fit to be a pleasure to drive for a frugal subcompact. The car has a solid feel to it, countering the perception of vehicles in this class as tinny econoboxes. Generally speaking, the Honda Fit continues the model's tradition of providing serious bang for the buck, and its combination of driving dynamics, polish and big-time practicality distinguish it from the competition.

Used Honda Fit Models
The current second-generation Honda Fit debuted for the 2009 model year. No notable changes occurred until 2012, when it received minor styling updates, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, added sound insulation and an upgraded Bluetooth system with streaming audio capabilities.

The first-generation Honda Fit was available for just two years: 2007 and 2008. It came in two trim levels with no factory options available. The base version adhered to a minimalist philosophy, though it still came standard with air-conditioning and a CD player. The uplevel Sport trim was snazzier and, predictably, we favored it. It featured larger, 15-inch alloy wheels, stickier tires, exterior styling pieces, keyless entry, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a premium MP3-compatible audio system with an auxiliary audio jack.

The Fit stuck to the Honda playbook when it came to interior controls, which were intelligently designed and utilized high-quality materials. For a subcompact, the first-generation Honda Fit was surprisingly roomy and versatile. Chalk much of that up to the car's specialized second-row, 60/40-split seat design. The rear seats could be placed into four different configurations, depending on passenger or cargo needs. Folding the rear seat flat provided a surprising 41.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Both trim levels were front-wheel drive and were equipped with a 1.5-liter, 109-hp four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, and a five-speed automatic was optional. Fit Sports with the automatic also had steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

We found the first-generation Honda Fit to possess an enviable driving-fun-to-thrift ratio. Cornering and acceleration were crisp. The subcompact could achieve 0-60-mph sprints in fewer than 10 seconds with either transmission. Fuel economy was commendable, and safety was good. The whole thing was almost perfect. Almost. The main downside was that although the car seemed less tinny than other cars in its class, at highway speeds the engine made its presence known. The lack of a telescoping steering wheel could also be an annoyance for taller drivers. But on balance the first-generation Honda Fit provided about as much fun, satisfaction and value as you could find in a small economy car.

User Reviews:

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  Love my Fit 07 - 2007 Honda Fit
  By sharonartist - January 18 - 5:47 pm

  I bought my Fit used with 45K on it. Mileage is 92K now PROS: Im 53" & find it very comfortable on my round trip commute of 50 miles and 4 hour trips. 2. It has huge cargo capacity for its size. Hauls all my art and display equipment. Brakes work fine. Tires were new when I bought it & still have them after 47K more miles. I rotate seasonally. It runs like a champion!!! Ill buy another one! CONS: the quality of the seat covers & floor covering - sub standard. Carpet has worn easily and everything sticks to it. 2. The front bumper is very low & doesnt clear average bumper stops -beware & stop before you hit it. 3. Automatic trans. shifts a bit rough...just minor problems.

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  Nice car, pricey, terrible gas millage for the segment. - 2012 Honda Fit
  By famercado - November 4 - 8:32 am

  This is a good and reliable car, with lots of security features, comfortable for its size, looks very good inside and outside (especially steering wheel and rims), reliable and well assembled. I use it to commute from my home to the metro station, and for that purpose is fantastic. On the weekends we use my wifeÂ’s car which is more spacious. The gas millage is horrible for a compact car and considering the price and the trim (sport) it is way under equipped. It is very pricey compared to other brandÂ’s similar cars.

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  2nd Fit purchased new - 2012 Honda Fit
  By heffelz8 - October 22 - 10:52 pm

  The wife and myself owned a 2008 Fit while living abroad in Europe. When we moved back to the States, we purchased another Fit. For a compact car, Honda really managed to cram a whole lot into this vehicle without making it seem over-done. Fit and finish is quite nice, along with the overall design. This car works, its practical, very lively to drive (with the stick) and very fuel efficient 36 highway and 33 in town. I am 66" 210 lbs and fit very very well in this car. My knees dont hit anything on the way in or out. Loading height is great whether youre 52, like my wife, or my size. I would buy a 3rd fit if I ever felt so inclined to get another family member in one.

• 

  MPG Disappointment - 2012 Honda Fit
  By livinglarge2 - October 2 - 11:20 pm

  I have had my Honda Fit since the middle of July 12. I have put 6,000 miles on my car..mostly highway miles. Im wondering if the manufacturer misrepresented the MPG advertised. I drive the car to work...which is mixed highway and city with 20mpg if Im lucky. I have driven this car on long trips and cant seem to get the MPG over 32. This is with speeds below 60mph. Im wondering if Honda came up with their MPG figures based on an anorexic driving this car without as much as a 5lb purse on board. I got 37 MPG on the way home from the dealership, but havent seen it since. Perhaps the dealer used Premium gas? I cant duplicate the mileage. I should have bought the PRIUS.

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  Not perfect, but great value - 2013 Honda Fit
  By richinsd - September 28 - 3:42 pm

  I looked at almost all of the competing vehicles and went with the Fit since it fit my needs best. For the price, its hard to beat considering the legendary reliability of Honda cars. The closest compition is (IMHO) the Scion xD and Hyundai Accent.

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  Reliable After 4 Years of Ownership - 2008 Honda Fit
  By strawberries - September 20 - 2:40 pm

  This car is our daily driver. We have had zero issues with this car. The car is still using the original light bulbs from day one! Just regular semi annual service at the dealership. This car can hold a lot of stuff with the seats folded down.

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  No Lagin Wagon - 2012 Honda Fit
  By arbolero - September 9 - 2:16 pm

  Very impressed. I wouldnt race anybody for pinks with this car, but its still very lively when I need it to accelerate and responsive when I need it to handle. I drive treacherous, windy, mountain roads. Honda has made a proven winner and, remarkably, it remains unseated by any of the markets other small cars which are trying so hard, but not quite measuring up. I average 36 to 39 mpg on a tank. The seats are supportive and comfortable enough for 5 hours continuous driving. The drivers seat is spacious enough for a 61" driver. A 68" friend of mine was not able to sit comfortably in the drivers seat.

• 

  Fun & Practical, but... - 2008 Honda Fit
  By joshnbecki - September 7 - 11:15 am

  This is a cute, practical little car, but it seems to make a lot of compromises. I would expect a little better milage from the small, overly busy engine. The ride is rough with the Sport setup, harsh even, though this means it has GREAT handling...that the power cant live up to. Just another 20-30 hp would do the trick & more match the MPG. NEVER take it on a long drive--dont even think about it. The constant engine whine and wimpy attempts to get up hills, combined with supportive but rigid and uncomfortable seats, made worse by peddle position, will drive you NUTS.

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  A great car - 2012 Honda Fit
  By wolf12373 - September 4 - 12:05 pm

  Honda somehow managed to squeeze an incredible amount of space inside this car. With the two “magic seats” in the back folded down it is possible to put almost anything in. The Fit’s 4- cylinder engine is more than adequate for everyday driving. I found the Fit to be extremely nimble as well. But the icing on the cake is the fuel efficiency. This car is rated 33/37, but I have been easily been able to average 40+ MPG.The Fit does not provide breakneck speed, exquisite luxury, or loads of extra features. On the other hand, it does have a great deal of one thing: Practicality. It is a no frills machine for moving people and stuff in a fun, comfortable manner.

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  Great car! - 2012 Honda Fit
  By kinggeorgeiii - August 21 - 12:46 pm

  This car is really superb. Ive owned and driven Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Buicks, Chevrolets, Chryslers, and Fords over the last decade. (Additionally, before I bought this car, I rented and test drove an Elantra, a Corolla, and a Yaris for a combined month.) Some were better than others, but none managed to get the whole package right like this Honda Fit. Its a wonderfully capable car, for hauling people. The folding seats will let you fit all sorts of stuff, and because its a car instead of an SUV, getting heavy items into the back is a breeze. This is an economy car, which means the price is cheap, and its thrifty with gas, too. Im getting mid-30s, even with "spirited" driving.