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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  Honda Fit sport 2008 mpg over 30 noway - 2008 Honda Fit
  By thurst1963 - November 13 - 3:46 am

  Well first off I gave the 2008 Honda fit sport auto trans 10 rating on every thing I really really like this car I had driven this car in Brazil in 2004 way before they came here and just fell head or heals for the car but I drive this car to work at 5.00am no traffic all highway 15 miles one way so we will say 80-85 % highway and that is low the first 700 miles I got 17 mpg from 700 to 1600 got 24 mpg drove from Champaign il to Cincinnati last week end all highway no stopping 70 miles per got 27 mpg then Champaign to ind 2 days ago got 28 mpg so if it was summer and I had the ac on and driving in a city I cant see more then 17 or 18 mpg so I will be trading this in soon for a Toyota

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  Nice ride for the money - 2007 Honda Fit
  By bigguy - October 7 - 4:36 pm

  I have 2000 miles on my Fit and like it all right. It doesnt have the handling, stability and gas mileage that my 94 and 96 civic HBs had. Ive about had it with cars that you cant see where they begin or end from inside until you bang them against the curb. The front clearance is too low. But it gets decent mileage: 43 hwy mpg best thus far. The seats are not very comfortable. You ride low and feel every bump. Not so in my civic HB. Cabin is loud and the engine and trans buzz and rev a bit on the AT. The shifters are nifty in sport mode but trouble in D mode. Seems they should disengage in D mode.

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  Poor Fuel Economy - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Paul Mc - August 28 - 9:20 pm

  I researched this car for over a year and waited for 2009 Fit Sport. Purchased it mainly for fuel economy, fun to drive and low cost of ownership. After 3300 miles the car has gotten progressively worse mileage as its broken in, not better. I cant see how people achieve such high mileage figures. Great little car in every way but greatly disappointed in fuel mileage.

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  New Honda - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Peekie - August 19 - 12:20 pm

  Just bought the car a few weeks ago & love it. Test drove others but found the Fit the best. Both myself (63" tall) & my husband (75") can drive it comfortably. This is the only car where he has inches of head rooms. The seat fold-down ability give it the best trunk space I have ever seen for a small car. Also like the ability to fold down the front seat level with the rear passenger & completely stretch out on long trips. Dont know yet about the mileage & reliability but Honda sells an extended warrenty that seems worth it. It is hard to find one of these as they mostly go to Europe & Japan.

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  Low Mileage - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Joan - July 9 - 2:00 am

  The sport model with the larger wheels is so low you will hit concrete parking slabs and curbs. Since the front end slopes down, it is impossible to see or judge just where the front end is. Also I am getting much lower mileage-averaging 27 mpg if I coast a lot and never tromp on gas pedal and I use A/C at all times. The car is very nice looking with an exceptional interior and comfortable seats. The paint is very shiny but seems to scratch very easy or I didnt see the scratches when I bought it because it was sunny and car shiny. I wait to hit a pot hole or speed bump too fast and take off the sport attachment to the front bumper. Other than the above I really like the car and interior room.

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  Recession Chic - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Rich - May 22 - 5:50 pm

  Ive only had it a few weeks so I cant judge the reliability yet. But I feel cool riding around in such an efficient car during this recession; would be embarrassed to be driving a BMW. Have put several hundred miles on it and found the seat comfortable for my back even on a day I drove for over 4 hours, though most of my trips are short. With regard to other reviews, I dont find it any bumpier or noisier than my last car, a 2006 VW Jetta, or most mid-priced European cars Ive driven. But I imagine it would be quite a bit bumpier and noisier than say a full size American car, so it depends what you are used to.

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  Finally a Car that Fits - 2009 Honda Fit
  By NewHondaFAN - May 3 - 1:56 am

  Great car! I shopped around for a year for something small, highly efficient, safe, and fun to drive. Almost settle in the SX4, but heard the the 09 Fits were coming out early, so I ordered one. Far superior fuel economy than the Suzuki, and you cant go wrong with Hondas reliability record. There is so much space in this car its like driving an SUV you can feel good about (and safe in). Im still getting used to the looks though. Its a bit too modern for me. I like the 07/08s better, but the 09 has improved over the previous gen. in every other way. I actually get compliments on it all the time though. Mine is orange. Consistently getting 34-38 mpg. I love this car!

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  back pain - 2016 Honda Fit
  By judy winkler - February 24 - 11:13 pm

  i liked everything about the fit except my back was hurting after a 20 minute test drive that is why I am looking at other cars. If they put in better seats I would buy this car in a minute. Hope Honda gets this message..........

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  The fit is GO! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Sam - February 9 - 11:30 pm

  I really like my fit, however I am disappointed by the gas mileage (its much lower than advertised, city) and the seat comfort. I bought a pillow for the seat because, on long trips, by legs go numb because Im so tall. The room in this car is deceivingly abundant. I can fit my entire apartments worth of stuff inside. Acceleration is a little shady at times, but it is really fun to drive. The sound system is great, and I love the look of the car. I feel safe inside it because its a Honda, and it has 8 airbags.

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  Needs some improvement - 2007 Honda Fit
  By cowtowner - January 8 - 5:16 pm

  After driving this vehicle for almost a year, as of this review - 2-21-07, I have a few minor complaints. 1. The display for the radio unit does not show very well on a bright day. This appears to be a non-standard size unit. I would replace it if I could buy a off the shelf unit and just plug it in without a custom adapter kit. Honda needs to change this design. 2. The top of the windshield needs to be better tinted or make the windshield smaller. Both the driver and the passenger have to use the sun shade to keep out excessive sun light even when not driving into the sun. 3. The head lights seems to be aimed too low.