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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  Getting so much from a compact car! - 2013 Honda Fit
  By Mary Griffiths - July 11 - 3:57 pm

  Clean, comfortable and cute! Very huge cargo capacity! Well finished interior! Sunny disposition!

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  Fuel economy is exceptional - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Helen P. - July 6 - 10:53 pm

  Have purchased 09 Fit Sport (auto). Never feel any regrets to have it. With 500 miles on it and the fuel economy is exceptional: 39/44.5/42.5 - Hope (and believe) to get new MPG of 40/48/45 pretty soon. Would recommend this new (2009) Fit to anyone who really like the big saves.

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  The Perfect MUV (Metro-Urban Vehicle) - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Luke the Duke - July 6 - 1:16 am

  The Fit is one sweeeeeet ride. Comfortable, economical, great shifter, zippy performer, handles well. Even though it is a four-year-old design, it shows why Honda garners so many awards and loyal customers. I have heard it compared to the Chevy (Daewoo) Aveo in looks, but The Fit is a much more integrated design, and the interior is light years ahead of the Koreans. No other small hatchback, urban runabout or wagon comes close to the Fit, except perhaps the Scion xA. It is Storm Silver Metallic, sort of an almost charcoal grey, with black interior. The only major flaw is the lack of a sunroof option. Honda, great job! I will surely take a close look at the next-gen Fit in a few years!

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  Reliable - Every person car - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Kristopher Schmidt - June 2 - 6:24 am

  The Fit is fit for purpose! It lets my family have the space we need for pre-school and kindergarten. Love the room in the back seat for my family and the price point. I didnt want a mini-van, and didnt want a midsize vehicle (in he outside). I am a hatchback fan and love the visibility that the this car has. Only drawback so far is the lane change on the central display isnt that helpful for me, and I rely on the mirrors instead.

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  Happy with purchase - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Pedrooch - May 30 - 1:13 am

  I purchased my Fit in March of 2009. Ive had the car for 3 weeks now, and love it. I purchased my Fit as a second car, my primary car is a Honda Accord. I purchased the vehicle, because I travel to clients daily, and I wanted a car that was good on gas, reliable, and comfortable. I looked at the Toyota Yaris, I didnt like the center dash, and the Scion, but I liked the Fit better. The car is very roomy inside, Im 60 and weigh over 300 Lbs., and Im very comfortable, even on trips over 1 hour. After 3 weeks, I have no complaints at all, and Im very happy with my purchase.

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  My so-so Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By miket - May 26 - 11:20 pm

  I expected more from this car. Ive had it for about 9 months, engine has to be broken in by now but the mileage is terrible. Barely get 400km on a tank and thats 50/50 city, hiway. I dont drive that hard either. My friends with domestic v6s get something close to that. It is fun to drive, kindve like a go-cart but because of all the little things, Im considering trading it in for something else. The auto tranny doesnt work for this underpowered engine either, theres too much downshifting going on at the slightest hint of throttle. I wish I did more research rather than be blinded by the fact that it was a new Honda. BTW the orange colour doesnt work too well for this car.

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  My first Honda - 2007 Honda Fit
  By sandyvankula - May 26 - 2:03 am

  I drove a Hyundai for 20 years and this is my first Honda. I have owned this FIT for three weeks and have 1500 highway miles on it. The gas mileage, which I am very thrilled with is between 36-40 mpg. Acceleration is great and this car corners very well with very responsive steering.I commute 53 miles each way to work and the cruise is wonderful. Air conditioner cools very well. The suspension is a little rough especially in work zones where the road is on the berm, and the noise in the cabin is a little louder than I was used to with my Hyundai. Driving at 65mph with the front windows partially down caused the front end to bounce up and down quickly..scary.. Cheap carpets. no arm rest.

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  Honda FIT Quality - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Mike - May 24 - 4:30 am

  This is my first Honda. I have had the car for 4 weeks and I am very impressed with the quality that Honda delivers at this price point. The car is quick and nimble with the 5-Speed manual transmission. Also lots of fun to drive. I bought this car for the excellent gas millage and I am getting around 33 MPG in combination of highway (with traffic) and around town. This car has lots of room. I am 6 2" and there is plenty of headroom and ample legroom. No complaints from the back seat either. The Honda engineers really maximize the interior space for such a small car. The seats fold in many different configuations to accomadate various cargo.

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  Downsizing from an SUV - 2009 Honda Fit
  By g-ma - May 20 - 4:40 pm

  I thought I could never drive anything but an SUV. Been driving one since 1984. I just purchased my Fit in 1/09. I was surprised to find out I really do enjoy it. Its a little lower but other than that, I really dont miss all the bells and whistles, especially when I realized the gas mileage. It all evened out. I recommend this vehicle.

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  This car breathes - 2009 Honda Fit
  By sandan - May 18 - 2:46 pm

  Im 63 200lbs and plenty of room to spare in the car. I love manual transmission cars, and wow is the Fit a real treat. Theyve designed the engine in such a way that there is always enough over-lapping torque. Ie. Downshifting especially in traffic is extremely smooth. As a result, Im never hesitant about going in overdrive. Unlike almost all other manual shifting cars, the Fit seems to always get enough air into the engine. It feels like it has the lung capacity of Michael Phelps inside Shawna Johnsons body. It may sound odd to others, but I actually love to drive this car slow. The engine really knows how to purr with little sips of gas.