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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  Best in class! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By SonerSD - March 27 - 12:23 pm

  Car is a blast to drive. The stiff suspension provides a smooth and stable ride with incredible steering response and accident avoidance capability. I am just laughing at people who complains about the harsh ride. The ride is not harsh it is just stiff, and that gives the Fit incredible handling and agility. I got the Taffeta White which is sleek and clean-look.

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  Love my new Fit! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By James T. - March 16 - 11:26 am

  This is the first Honda I have purchased, but it will certainly not be the last. As such a reasonably priced vehicle, I am astonished by the finish quality and roominess of a "compact" auto such as this. 5 adults fit comfortably and there is plenty of space with the seats down. Best yet, it is fun to drive!

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  Second Honda - 2007 Honda Fit
  By bayoujay - March 12 - 9:33 am

  My first car was a 90 Civic hatchback, so its been interesting comparing the similarities and differences. Much easier to enter/exit, more useable space, much more power (even with auto). Having a small child, the rear seat height and tall roof make it relatively easy to put him in and out of the car seat. Took looong roadtrip with my wife and child and enjoyed the comfort of "relax mode" even with the trunk full of stuff. Great highway mileage (37-40), but city mileage has been lackluster for such a small car (23-26). So far, that has been my biggest gripe.

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  First truly new car and enjoying it! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Jerry P. - March 12 - 1:46 am

  I spent a LOT of time looking at the cars in the this category and eventually couldnt find a better deal than the Fit Sport. I was able to get one at invoice. Couldnt find the exact one I wanted because finding a Sport manual w/Nav is like looking for the Loch Ness monster. Dont bother getting any simple options from the dealer, they are priced crazy. $150 for floormats (including install charge); found them on-line for $72. Ive had the car for going on 3 weeks and over all I am very pleased with it, and find I can live with the cars quirks.

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  I Like It! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By jjr - March 4 - 10:26 pm

  First import Ive owned and I like it. Corners like its on rails. Plenty of zip and room. Holds my golf clubs and electric cart plus my other essential golf stuff and still room for a twelve-pack. This is behind the rear seats without folding anything down.

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  Love the Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Fit Freak - February 26 - 12:13 pm

  I have owned this car for one week and I am so happy with my choice. Very fun to drive,great acceleration and braking. Handles very well and has an excellent interior layout and dash design. I am averaging 32 mpg which is mostly stop and go traffic in the burbs. Coming from a bulky minivan, I love the ease of driving, parking, backing up etc. The room inside this car is truly amazing. I dont miss the van at all!

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  I love my 09 Fit Sport! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By zackster - February 25 - 8:16 pm

  I purchased this car one week ago on Dec 20, 2008. I am very happy with the 09 Fit Sport. I had the 07 Fit Sport but it was totaled by the insurance company. I enjoyed the 07 but on a longer drive the 09 feels smoother to me and to be very honest, it is a much more pleasant drive! I love driving around in my new car because I love the way it handles. I would give higher marks in performance but pulling away at red light and uphill is hard. Going uphill on an interstate is hard... your MPG get really low it is a bit slow to do. Fuel economy is ok, for me as advertised thus far. Interior needs a center console so took points off for interior.

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  I love the Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By ehv - February 3 - 2:30 am

  I absolutely love this car. I bought it a couple of weeks ago after test driving the Yaris (boring). I love the gas mileage and its a blast to zip down the interstate. Its also easy to get in and out of parking spaces, which is definitely a perk now a days. I wanted the cruise control, which is why I opted for the Sport.

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  Honda Fit(s) Me Well - 2007 Honda Fit
  By vivica - January 27 - 9:36 am

  This Honda Fit has turned out to be a very reliable car. I have driven it for roughly four months, and the car runs like a dream. Its also a very good gas sipper, and I only have to fill up its tank roughly every 10 days. Not only its a good little subcompact for someone who just wants an inexpensive thing to commute in, its also a cute car. I get compliments on its looks from time to time. Overall, its been a very good car, and I highly recommend it to a routine commuter who wants something thats economical and yet appealing to the eye.

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  The perfect commuter car?? - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Wayne Lynn - January 24 - 11:03 pm

  If you need a car that is going to give you excellent gas mileage, is functional and surprisingly peppy, this would be worth looking at. With folding seats in the front and back, the entire inside seems to open up allowing one to transport large items with little difficulty. I purchased to extended warranty and feel good knowing that I have bumper to bumper protection for the first 120,000 miles or 6 years. The only drawback thus far is how the vehicle manages bumps and pavement breakups. On those occasions, the ride can be somewhat primitive - hold on to your fillings! Power locks, windows and remote mirrors as standard accessories are nice touches. Overall, for around 15 grand, a terrific deal!!