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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  A great little car on a serious budget - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Quick - October 7 - 2:34 pm

  Im going to try and keep this review short by trying to skip over all the technical specs youve already read and just get straight to the good and the bad, but first I think it is important that I give you som e background. Im in my early 20s just graduated college and my previous car was an ultra-plush 1997 Pontiac Bonneville. (Think of it as your favorite recliner on wheels.) The Bonneville was great, but it was quickly turning into a money pit and it was time for a new car. Ive owned the car for about six months now, and Im still in love with it, but it does have a few downsides. First of all, the car is rated 38/40 mpg (city, hwy), however I drive mostly highway miles and in order for me to actually get my average mpg per tank below 40, Ive got to drive around in sport mode approximately 15% of the time and drive pretty aggressively. On average, I get between 42 and 45 mpg. Ive gotten 47 - 50 before on long road trips, or by driving extremely conservatively. Needless to say, the mpgs are great. The car has a pretty stiff suspension, and the base model lacks a lot of the sound-dampening materials of the higher end models, so there is a good bit of road noise. The stiff suspension also gives you a powerful incentive to avoid any and all bumps in the road as they do not absorb much of the impact and Im always afraid of hurting my precious automobile. I did have to drive down one particularly terrible country road that was absolutely full of potholes, and now there are a few light rattles in the seat belt columns, which is pretty vexing since it is a brand new car. The car is extremely easy to drive. The steering wheel turns with very little effort, acceleration and braking is smooth. Acceleration is kind of sluggish, especially if you are coming from a full size sedan like me, but I dont really mind it as its still a fun drive. Sports mode basically just makes the engine rev higher and provides a noticeable increase in responsiveness. Economy mode is a more dramatic change, with extremely sluggish acceleration and reduced A/C performance. Personally, I only use it when travelling on the highway. The car will get extremely hot out in the sun, which is to be expected with the all black interior, but the A/C can take care of it in a matter of seconds, so its not really an issue. The seats are comfortable, but dont really cradle your body, so you have a tendency to slide a little in the turns. Additionally, the center console "armrest" is completely unusable because it is practically on the floor. The radio sounds like every other normal car stereo, except for the Bluetooth. Im not sure if it is just my phone or what, but the sound quality there is pretty bad. Its like using a payphone. The last, and maybe most important, thing to note, is that my particular car seems to have a few quality control issues. A few of the dashboard panels dont line up quite right. The window trim on one door seems to stick out further than all the others, and the front bumper seems to have too large a gap in the panels on one side. When it gets hot, the rear window squirter leaks and leaves a nearly impossible to remove streak from the soap on the window. These are all things that Ill have to ask the dealer about when I go for an oil change. Final verdict: despite its few flaws, I absolutely love it and feel that I made the right choice.

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  awesome car!!!! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By cindy.clark@u@gmail.com - September 25 - 6:29 pm

  just put my 07 fit over two hundred and still loving bernie !!!

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  Not a highway car - 2013 Honda Fit
  By DEEZ - September 25 - 4:57 am

  When I first bought this car I tool it back to the dealer because I thought the steering had a flaw. It was just the wind. Its very light and really gets pushed around on the road. We took it from Ohio to Virginia this summer and what a terrible trip. Its just not built to drive over 55. No acceleration at all. Also the headlights are very dim. The storage is great and MPG is better than advertised. I havent had any mechanical issues. We bought it for my wife to learn to drive, but the visibility with those little van windows and the tall seat placement is terrible.

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  A year and 30,000 mile with my Fit - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Silverfit15 - September 24 - 10:53 am

  I purchased my 2015 Fit LX in mid August 2014. Going from a Toyota Corolla to a Fit was a pleasure. Nothing wrong with the Toyota, but it is more an appliance than a car. Great transportation and comfort-but very boring to drive. The Fit is just the opposite. While the car has a CVT transmission, it is still quick, responsive and fund to drive. The Fit holds the road better than you would think for an economy car, but with a composed and compliant ride for its size. Everyone who has seen the Fit is impressed with how large it is inside compared to its exterior dimensions. Other that a dear hitting the car along the passenger side of the car at 60 MPH, the car has had no issues. I have also done my oil changes, which is fairly easy, even though you need to remove the engine splash pan to get to the drain and filter. I travel 110 mile each day to work and back home. My average MPG has ranged from 42 to 45.5 in all kinds of weather, with the A/C both on and off. My friends with hybrids cant believe the mileage I get, and the cost of the car was nowhere near what they paid. As for front seat comfort, I have no complaints. I spend almost three hours each day in the Fit, and at no time find myself uncomfortable. Overall, I am extremely happy with my decision to go with a Fit, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good blend of economy, performance and utility in a small package.

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  Poor Paint - 2012 Honda Fit
  By Daniel Lake - September 7 - 8:21 pm

  Rear shocks were replaced at 24000 miles, tires had normal wear at 24000 miles. However , every tire was splitting apart at the second tread in. The paint on this car was the worst paint of the eight new cars I have owned. The paint chipping was primary on the hood but was not limited to the front of the car. Seen very few fits with this problem but the few I have seen were older and had premature surface rusting. This does not stop the car from getting great gas mileage or getting you from A to B comfortable but will have a great effect on your resale value. For this reason the car was traded in with only 27000 mile and rated low.

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  Its My Second FIT!: Fast and Fun. Yellow! - 2015 Honda Fit
  By David - August 30 - 11:42 pm

  My FIT has 7000+ miles on the highway and city since I got it in March 2015, so I am ready to write a competent review. I traded in my 2009 FIT with 70,000 miles for this Brand New 2015 FIT. Overall its been a lot of fun, and everyone in my area loves the Yellow! The compliments come in daily. People roll their window down to compliment the car. The FIT is completely redesigned for 2015—very little is the same from the Old FIT. Safety: It is a topsafety pick in its class from the Insurance Institute and passed the Offset crash test too. The old FIT failed miserably and was a dangerous car to be in an accident. Engine: It has Honda’s Famous “EarthDreams” Engine. You have more than enough power in this car--it accelerates faster than any car in its class. In fact, it is overpowered for the suspension and handling, and I recommend this car for experienced drivers only. Not a car to give to new driver just like you would not get them a Corvette. If you step on the accelerator too fast, you will spin the front tires. My experience in rain is that the fronts spin very easily so be careful--may be the brand of tires, --Firestone--not sure. Much much faster than the Old FIT. Steering/Handling: Here is one area I prefer the Old FIT. The Old FIT handled better--pinpoint accuracy--so much fun. The new FIT is not precise, ambiguous on the highway, but it’s OK. Braking: Brakes on the New FIT are not enough for the power of this vehicle--I leave a LOT of room between my car and the car in front. Its not bad--just again--for the experienced driver who knows how to control a lightweight car with a powerful engine. Ride Comfort: The person that buys this car is someone who prefers a NASCAR sports car road feel to a cushy Lincoln ride. You will feel the road and all imperfections in this FIT. If the road is well paved and smooth, car will run smooth too. Some professional reviewers have written that the car is noisy inside. I have not found that--its fine. Transmission: CVT has been fine--no problems. Interior: Mine has Leather and that was a must for me. The leather is very comfortable, cleans easily, and supportive bolstering for my back. I have all the technology that Honda offered in 2015 in my FIT, including the large touch screen with steering wheel controls, rear and side cameras. Many reviews have written that the touch screen interface is confusing. I don’t know what they are talking about!—it’s intuitive, and easy and fun to use—it’s one of the best in the car business now. I sat for a few hours two days with the well-written manuals you get in the car and learned a lot. Referred to them on occasion and learned more. Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, HD Radio is the best! Incredible sound! Navigation is very good, better than smart phone navigation, and has upgradeable maps. The voice recognition is poor and I never use it. Only thing that frustrates me is that certain functions are disabled while the car is moving. But I am having a ball with all the dash toys and it’s what sold me on the car. If you never had Satellite Radio—it’s cable TV for the car and additive—mine is always on CNN, MSNBC or FOX TV or Bruce Springsteen station (audio only). It’s the best! Seats 4 comfortably, although I use mine like a pick-up truck with rear folded down 99% of the time. Reliability: So far through 7000 miles, no problems or recalls. (My Old FIT had 2 Recalls, and 2 Warranty Repairs over 70,000 miles.) Real world mileage: My best Tank of Highway/City mileage has been 38 MPG, Worst tank which was probably more city than highway: 31 MPG. One day I was on the highway only for the first 2 hours after a fill, and it was 45 MPG. Not bad! Side Camera: Only Honda has this—it’s a lot of fun. Get it! Hitches: U-haul and other places will install a hitch specifically made for this car to carry bikes or tow less than 2000 lbs. It is 225.00 installed at U-haul, I just inquired. I really would not tow anything too heavy or fast with this car, maybe local only—use the hitch for bikes. Purchase: I shopped many dealers and compared deals from Costco, Truecar, Carsdirect, AAA, and what I was able to negotiate on my own. The Best deal by far was the Edmunds Price Promise. I don’t work for or with Edmunds—just telling you my experience. Summary: It’s a fun drive to drive, reliable thus far, with very good cargo room (its biggest selling point for most people), and very good fuel mileage. It’s not the best handling car, it’s fast, but needs more braking power, and better cornering. The Technology package is excellent and a lot of fun. I think it’s a great value overall—there is no need to spend more money for a car. You don’t need an SUV. This FIT allows me to have all the features of a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus at 1/3 the cost—I almost feel like I am driving for free. I sleep well at night. Hey, it’s my second FIT and I could have purchased any other car!

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  love my Fit - 2015 Honda Fit
  By kevin K - August 29 - 5:56 pm

  i purchased my fit in October 2014, no problems fantastic mileage. If the front seat bottoms tilted I would have given it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟. I travel a lot and get 49-50 mpg on highway for a combined mpg as of 8/29/15 of 38.9 mpg.

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  not fit for you! - 2015 Honda Fit
  By brian - August 18 - 4:26 pm

  this is a great car if youre a young teenager and this is your first car. however - cons: 1. slow engine, loud engine really sounds like its trying to hard at higher speeds (60+) 2. front seat REALLY is uncomfortable for an hour drive 3. the side view camera is not needed in a small car and the video quality for the side view is blurry and not a clear picture. 4. the push start is not needed (for a manual) as you have to press the clutch at the same time 5. the volume control for the touchscreen is not efficient nor is there a mute button 6. resale value IS NOT good. i tried to get a comparable trade one week after i bought this car and was offered $5K LESS! 7. the fuel tank is small and i have to refill twice in a week for going over 315 miles 8. the wipers only have hi, lo, and one setting for intermittent wiping?! pros: 1. best looking wedge shaped car in the industry 2. its a honda (but really shouldnt be carrying the honda name) well see how long this lasts 3. i like the tire rims and that the rear seats fold up creating a unique way to store things

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  Overall, I love it - 2015 Honda Fit
  By John Signorino - August 15 - 10:15 pm

  Im basing this review for what I paid for the car. For that, after having the car for over a year, Im still thrilled driving it. It handles very nicely and Im amazed how fast I can take some turns and the car just sticks and feels so in control. Great road feedback. The manual is so smooth and easy to shift. Acceleration is good enough for me not crazy fast at all but certainly easy enough to "gun it". What I love is the fun factor of driving it, the fantastic gas mileage, the room for things, the ease of parking and handling, the looks, the feel, the back up camera, the side camera, no bad blind spots, easy shifting, sun roof, pretty good sound system, keyless entry, low maintenance, rear wiper, hatch, lot of cup holders, and its a Honda. The front seats are too hard for long rides. I learned to put sit on a car cushion for that. But for average driving, the seats feel fine for me.

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  Got Snow? Dont Buy Fit! - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Mari - August 14 - 4:12 pm

  Yes the electronics console is fussy and not intuitive. Its way too easy to drive off the road while trying to find things on a tetchy touch screen. Its a lightweight on snow and ice. Youll need to buy studded tires for it. It was stuck at the end of a plowed driveway this winter (upstate ny), on a slight grade which had just been done in my 04 Toyota Corolla. It does get ok gasmileage, tho my Corolla still does better on highways (verified by tracking gas and mileage between fill ups, not going by the manufacturer). I think my biggest beef with this car is the ice build up behind the front wheels. It is soooo low to the ground that slush and ice accumulates over the joint of the front doors. When you open the doors, you have to first knock the chunk of snow off the wheel well, then crack chunk of ice over the joint as you open the door. I have had this 2015 fit since July 2014 and the drivers side door joint is already scratched from the ice. I see rust in its future. As for service, dont ever expect to spend less than two hours at the dealerships even just for an oil change. If there is a service recall, they will not release your car AND they will not tell you they are fixing it till the end. I will not buy another honda mostly because of what Ive detailed here. Also, good luck with car seats if you have more than one kid. It works but is TIGHT!