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 The Fit! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Pat M - May 26 - 12:13 am

  I just traded a 2003 Honda CRV for the the Fit. Love the gas mileage. I dont feel confined as I thought I might. Easy and fun to drive. The whole buying experience was great. Love Honda!

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  A lot of fun in a small package - 2009 Honda Fit
  By ReneeSarah - April 18 - 2:06 pm

  If you are looking for something fun to drive with great interior flexibility and very good gas mileage- please consider the Honda Fit. It has very good gas mileage, a lot of interior room with back seats that fold both up and down, wonderful visibility out the front windows, accessible and logically placed dials and controls, a decent stereo system and has that almost undefinable "fun to drive" factor seriously going for it.

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  For the money a winner - 2007 Honda Fit
  By dhutch - March 31 - 5:00 pm

  So far 1126 miles, the fit has lived up to its advertising. I was loading boxes into the back of my Jeep Grand Cherokee and they would not fit so I borrowed my wifes fit and they all went in the back with the rear seat in the up position. The only fault I can find is with the drivers seat back for my legs to stretch (59") my arms are to darn short to reach the steering wheel comfortably. My 53" wife finds it perfect. The sport has a high quality sound system and the vehicle is quiet enough at highway speeds to listen to classical music. Handling is superb and you can do 80 mph and not know it. Honda has a winner so far, all that remains to find out is durability.

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  Fun & fuel efficient - 2007 Honda Fit
  By carshow - March 16 - 9:10 am

  I drove a Mustang prior to this purchase, which was based on Hondas reputation and fuel economy. I didnt miss my Mustang like I thought I would. The Fit is fun to drive, easy to park, and gets great gas mileage. Back seats are horribly uncomfortable. The side airbags are nice too. Like a mini- SUV. However, my husband was just in an accident in his Fit and I must say while the airbags & seatbelt did a great job protecting him, the car is a total loss while the vehicle he hit was barely damaged. The damage was to the front driver-side part of the car, and the fender, dash, door, etc. were all shoved back, roof wrinkled. Like to see the metal strenghtened so its safer. Speed was 50-55 mph.

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  We like it - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Ron - March 2 - 5:46 am

  My wife and I own a nice Sienna, but she was driving it over 30,000 miles a year, mostly on short errands. A ridiculous amount of wear on an expensive car and one that burns lots of gas. I bought the Fit so the Sienna would last until my kids are grown. Originally feared my wife would not take to the Fit, but both she and I like it and it now gets almost all the local miles. We drive the Sienna on trips and to church weekly to keep the engine cleaned out. The Sienna is a nicer ride, but for local trips the Fit is not only acceptable, it is much easier to park.

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  Design Defects Cost Owners Money! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Cliff A - March 1 - 1:50 am

  Love the car - or DID, until the repairs started coming up. Fog Lights have zero protection - BOTH were broken by stones at 15k miles, at $180 EACH to replace. At 22,685 miles, Im stuck with a $900 A/C condenser replacement, caused by "road debris," not covered under warranty. A little Internet research shows this is a very common problem caused by defective design - huge holes in the lower grille allow large stones or debris to pass through, and the low clearance makes the condenser extremely vulnerable to damage. Honda should issue a recall to deal with the problem. Instead, they deny there is a problem, sticking their customers with the expense. Unfortunate - my last Honda.

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  Fun little car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By matt - January 23 - 3:10 pm

  The Fit is fun to drive. It also has an amazing amount of inside room. Im 62 and fit pretty easy. The engine is small, but I have no trouble hitting 80 on the interstate. Even there the tach is only showing 3,500 rpm. So far Ive been getting almost 40 mpg.

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  Everyday Gocart - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Dave - January 12 - 6:56 am

  I bought the fit as a commuter, It is the most fun car in the economy class. Makes a boring 20 mile commute a little more bearable. Great Interior room, (my truck sits idle now that my fit will carry all but the largest and dirtiest stuff). Decently built for the price and tons of safety features for the kids and myself. Looks like a smaller Matrix, Not a goofy echo or yaris

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  Great car, AVERAGE gas mileage - 2007 Honda Fit
  By FL410 - January 2 - 12:56 am

  Nice car that has lots of room for a small car. Rear seats fold both up AND down - neat feature. Excellent ride for a small car. Reasonably quiet, too. Pick up from zero to 30 mph is good, 30 to 60 mph is fair. I bought a base model. The sport model is a much better buy - $1,300 for cruise control, alloy wheels, alarm, remote door locks, fog lights, premium stereo, bigger tires. I dont like the "skirt" trim on the Sport model though.

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  I Heart The Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Zogar - January 1 - 12:23 am

  This car is great. Handles well, easy to park, fun to drive! Getting 39 mph highway.