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 Delightful Little Bug Smasher - 2010 Honda Fit
  By steveb - May 29 - 7:28 am

  This car replaces my 99 Civic, which came off 6th best in a 6-car collision back in January. Overall I am quite pleased with my purchase. The Fit delivers about 40 mpg on my daily 70 mile commute (even better on road trips), offers punchy acceleration when necessary, and has a much better road feel than my old Civic. It has a teensy turning circle and is easy to park. As many others have noted,the cargo capacity of this diminutive vehicle borders on an optical illusion.

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  Purpose Built Vehicle DELIVERS! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Lyon[Nightroad] - May 27 - 9:02 pm

  What a great car. The design is sharp and sporty. Handling is superb and road feel is good. The high steering ratio increases its fun-to-drive appeal. I have driven faster cars, bigger cars, and more luxurious cars, but in the end the Honda Fit is a true purpose built vehicle that makes me want to drive to work. Road noise is typically Honda-like but the great audio system makes up for it. The negative consumer reviews thus far are absurd, It sounds like some drivers are let down that it is not a luxury- sport-utility-hybrid super vehicle. It merely takes aspects from each and puts it a great price point. No other vehicle in its class will make you compromise less.

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  Future Buyers Beware - 2010 Honda Fit
  By iowacityiowa - May 16 - 8:58 pm

  I love my car, but few things to think about before you buy this car. The sport is low to the ground and you cant see the nose of your car which makes pulling up to curbs a bit tricky so you dont scrape up your front. I also find my self parking a foot or two from my intended stopping spot because its hard to judge where the nose of the car is. Also the all black interior is a lint/dust/dirt magnet. I have found Swifer dusters work great, I keep them in my car for touch ups, also a min sticky roller brush to get lint off the seats. Also for those who have trouble backing up, this car takes a little getting use to. In town I average 27 MPG which I love. Overall I think its a great car.

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  Still lovin it! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Josh - May 14 - 3:32 pm

  I bought this car two summers ago and it has been a great car! I was used to driving my 3000GT but I needed something more reliable and fuel efficient. After 2 months of research, I decided to go with the Honda Fit over the Toyota Yaris and Dodge Caliber and have been happy ever since! This car has great performance, and GREAT gas mileage on the highway(usually between 34-38 going 75). The gas mileage in town has been a bit of a disappointment however, I usually only get in the low 20s. This car has worked extremely well going through the snow in North Dakota winters. I was a bit skeptical that I would like this car when I bought it, but I am so happy I decided on the Honda Fit.

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  Bad decisions - 2010 Honda Fit
  By csedd - May 13 - 9:57 pm

  I bought this car just 1 week ago and am instantly regretting it. It is the loudest car I have ever owned. It gives me headaches with the constant drone of the engine and road noise. I have owned a VW diesel in the past, so this is saying something. It is fun to drive and practical, but the seats are uncomfortable, the materials inside are cheap. DO yourself a favor and pass on this car. I will be selling mine this week.

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  Bought several months ago - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Diane - May 13 - 2:42 pm

  with 2000 miles on it. Have driven for 4000 miles. Very bumpy plastic interior easy to scratch good room in the back. Big complaint is that the floor on the drivers side is cheap plastic and the rug keeps running up into the gas pedal! Put down heavier mat but doesnt help. Feel I need to merge into freeway traffic very carefully because of lack of power. OK gas mileage but the reader lies for sure. Our Matrix does as well or better and its a larger car with a better engine. Thinking about trading it in--big disappointment.

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  Honda Fit 2010 Automatic - Great Vehicle - 2010 Honda Fit
  By HomeDesign - May 11 - 10:31 pm

  We bought this new Honda Fit within a 3 day period in which we also purchased a 2010 new Scion xD. Both vehicles are closely matched, with only subtle differences. Neither my wife nor I have a preference. We like both of them. The Honda has nice lower back built-in non-adjustable lumbar support which I like a lot. The Scion does not have this, but is still also comfortable. The Honda and the Scion have adequate legroom, even for 6-2" tall me. The Honda, however, has a steering wheel that both tilts and telescopes. The Scion tilts, but doesnt telescope. This makes a difference, as you can pull the Honda seat back some more. Very good interior room for such a compact vehicle.

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  Paint Quality - 2010 Honda Fit
  By george clifford - May 10 - 5:39 pm

  The Honda Fit is a clever and useful car. This is my 6th Honda in 30 years. Like many of its kin, the Fit is easily dinged up in parking lots , so I ordered the side molding. Any contact with the bumpers is pulling off the Silver paint. Ive had 3 small spots rubbed bare to the black plastic by a carelessly opened door, a rubbing parking car tire and a leaning garden tool touching the bumpers. Its only 4 months old. This cant be normal. Painted bumpers are stupid anyways but this paint is too soft ! (Or not sticking) And there is a huge area of plastic surrounding this car.

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  Nice Car - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Mide - May 10 - 12:36 pm

  If you want a 34 MPG Mixed driving car that has a ton of storage room then this car is for you. Low insurance, Great exterior styling, nice 5-gear auto. You are trading off a bunch of interior features like the steering wheel audio controls and overall interior quality. Also the tires on the 16" rim are very unusual so finding replacements = not a fun time with no enough options. I like the car for what it is. A to B daily commuter but as a real "car" that you should be proud of, it is definitely not.

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  Hated my fit - 2010 Honda Fit
  By tquigsmay - May 6 - 11:42 pm

  Bought a fit, took it back less than 48 hrs later w/ a backache. Cant adjust seat cushion up or down because gas tank is under the drivers seat (how can that be safe?). I felt like I was sitting in a high chair in a fish bowl. There is so much untinted Glass its like youre on display. The cheap black interior showed every speck of dust immediately. The paddle shifter are totally useless and get in the way of resting your hands while you drive. W/ no center console or arm rests (pay extra on sport model only), where is someone supposed to put their arms? The passenger has no options. The tiny visors do nothing shade sun from the gigantic family van style windshield.