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:
Showing 111 through 120 of 1,073.00-
Tires burst easily on tiny tires - 2011 Honda Fit
By bbillyo - April 12 - 5:07 pm2 blowouts in a few months. $170 a pop. Get a better car.
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Fuel economy is way better than advertised - 2012 Honda Fit
By hime86 - April 8 - 9:40 amWe chose the fit after test driving the Mazda 3, the Hyundai Elantra, and the Honda Civic. I drive 40 miles a day for my commute, about 60% of that in very heavy stop-and-go traffic, and Ive never had less than 34 mpg in my Fit! Its nice to be able to fill up for less than $30, even when gas is almost $4/gallon. I bought the automatic in the Sport trim, which has nice interior finishes like chrome and leather accents. There is a TON of interior room-- when the office carpools to lunch, everyone wants to go in my Fit. It doesnt accelerate like a bigger car but the gas mileage is worth it.
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Just Freaking Awesome - 2012 Honda Fit
By smoothride12 - April 6 - 8:30 amWeve had the 2012 Fit Sport since December 2011. The car is an absolute blast to drive. We have the 5 speed manual. Great acceleration, phenomenal handling. 90% of our driving is in town and approximately 3 to 10 miles round trip. We are getting 31.5 miles per gallon. Unbelievable! Spacious interior and great engineering. I cant say enough about this car.
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Cute car - 2012 Honda Fit
By ltdo - March 6 - 7:44 amMy car 2012 base, Auto transmission, Blue Raspberry color. I agreed with other reviewer, the color so easy to see in busy shopping parking lot this is 1 plus for the color.It looked gentle and happy to me. Car is fairly quite like my previous Corolla. but the driving is more enjoy than Corolla. the cabin design just make me feel good everytime I am in. The car acceleration is a little slow but I can accept it for the other good things it offered. Overall This is the different car than I ever had before, I like it, I will put new center arm rest, body side molding, Mud guard, front seat covers.
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Fit to Impress - 2011 Honda Fit
By arbolero - January 20 - 7:48 pmI have only used half a tank, but I am eager to share my first impression of the car. Ill start with the bad. Sport, implying some relativity to a sports car, is not an accurate description. Yes, its nimble, eagerly reving, and fun to drive, but it lacks proper acceleration, maneuverability, or pedigree to be a member of this class. The Fits enormously practical design would make it the odd-car-out if it shared some tile in the showroom of sport thoroughbreds. But I didnt need another car with senseless horsepower and "member" compensating qualities. This time, I was in the market for sensible. Plus, Honda was wise enough to forego a Sport badge on the rear gate, so, we can let it be
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Good reliable commuting car - 2012 Honda Fit
By truthful4 - December 29 - 9:49 pmI bought this car new and have driven it 1900 miles . The gas mileage is great! I have got up to 42 mpg on a good hwy. The average mpg in and out of town is 32. The car has an excellent audio system.The drive is comfortable for a small car. The noise level is not much different than any other small economical car . I am impressed with the fold down back seats for storage. I miss the middle arm console between the two front seats. I also noticed the cars acceleration is somewhat sluggish and loud going up hills and inclines. I miss an outside temp. gauge and would like to see an a.c. outlet added . Word of warning ..Four large adults is pushing it. So far a good little car
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2012 Fit Sport with 5 speed manual - 2012 Honda Fit
By eighthhonda - December 26 - 8:33 pmI really like this car. I was concerned I would not like a relatively inexpensive car. The Fit Sport has exceeded my expectations. I had read so many positive reviews by national media and was hoping they were right. I agree, a lot of car for the money! I drove the Fit Sport with an automatic/paddle shifters was not that impressed, then I drove the Fit Sport with the manual. I was sold. That transmission "fits" the small engine well. Acceleration is surprisingly strong. Tourqe too.
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WOW! What a great car! - 2010 Honda Fit
By mark_p - December 24 - 7:12 pmI purchased my fit in Feb. 2011, in the dead of winter here in VT. I used to drive a Chevy Colorado, and thought that I might be making a huge mistake downsizing to a petite FWD scooter, such as this. Boy, was I wrong! I tried to purchase every other make of similar car, and every time I came back to the Fit. In fact, I had a cashiers check in my pocket to purchase a Volvo C-30, and Ive never regretted the decision to buy the Fit. Of course, I have never had a problem with the Fit. Acceleration and handling are good. I didnt expect a Ferrari, & I am happy with the Fits perky attitude.
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2012 Honda Fit Sport MT in Vortex Blue - 2012 Honda Fit
By hondalvr4life - December 14 - 4:26 pmI waited 2 weeks for this color to come in from Japan and boy am I glad I did, It is gorgeous, and you dont see it as often as the other colors. The car is fantastic, I def had to get the Manual Transmission and it is soo much better than the Auto. Right now, the car has almost 1,000 miles and I am soo far averaging 33.5 MPG. The updates for 2012 seemed to have worked as the interior is much quieter than the older model. The seats are comfortable, it only cost me $28 bucks to fill up, and its fun to drive. Id say I have a winner with this car and I could not be happier!
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Junk - 2008 Honda Fit
By bbb15 - December 12 - 10:19 pmNothing about this car lives up to the hype. It shakes over 60mph, the clutch is horrible, and everything in the interior rattles while I drive. It feels cheap and is incredibly uncomfortable to drive. Ive owned $500 cars that were far better. I very much regret buying this car.
