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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  Mostly fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Uncle Jack - December 22 - 1:16 pm

  This car is amazing in many respects and disappointing in a few. Its very roomy and versatile, surprisingly comfortable, and handles outstandingly well. The performance/economy compromise is okay but only just. My city mileage is about 29 and on the highway it will get 32 to 37 depending on the speeds involved (note that this is 4-5 mpg less than the mileage meter indicates). A sixth gear would be a big help. Worst feature is the ride, which is a lot stiffer than other cars Ive had and driven of about the same wheelbase and weight. A lot of the interior seems to be made of flocked cardboard; Honda evidently thinks it has a good enough quality reputation to get away with this.

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  My Fit fits - 2012 Honda Fit
  By Leon Nielsen - November 17 - 9:57 am

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  2007 Honda Fit Sport - good but not great - 2007 Honda Fit
  By carguy707 - November 11 - 9:56 pm

  Having previously owned six Hondas, three CRXs, one Civic hatchbach and an Integra, Im not new to the Honda family. The interior of this car is really well done. I love the options that you have with the seating. The feeling of the steering wheel is great and the gauge cluster is beautiful. Well I do have a few gripes with the car. I only average around 30 mpg with this car and I have a very light foot. The road noise is excessive. I might be the only one but the stereo is ok at best. Also I dont like the placement of the paddle shifter at least the way they follow the steering wheel when you turn. But for the price it is a very well equipped car.

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  Frugal Downeaster - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Frugal Downeaster - June 15 - 10:43 am

  My criteria was simple - an economical, inexpensive, high quality vehicle that could carry a companion, a bike, a kayak, personal "stuff" and not require a small mortgage payment when I stopped for gas. The Fit is all that and more with a 5 star insurance rating and is actually fun to drive - - especially around town, or on curvy back roads. Honda has proved that "inexpensive" doesnt have to mean "cheap". This vehicle has more secret storage spots and room than many SUVs Ive driven. Oh - - and did I mention 32 to 38 M.P.G.!

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  I love my 09 Fit Sport! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By zackster - February 25 - 8:16 pm

  I purchased this car one week ago on Dec 20, 2008. I am very happy with the 09 Fit Sport. I had the 07 Fit Sport but it was totaled by the insurance company. I enjoyed the 07 but on a longer drive the 09 feels smoother to me and to be very honest, it is a much more pleasant drive! I love driving around in my new car because I love the way it handles. I would give higher marks in performance but pulling away at red light and uphill is hard. Going uphill on an interstate is hard... your MPG get really low it is a bit slow to do. Fuel economy is ok, for me as advertised thus far. Interior needs a center console so took points off for interior.

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  The perfect commuter car?? - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Wayne Lynn - January 24 - 11:03 pm

  If you need a car that is going to give you excellent gas mileage, is functional and surprisingly peppy, this would be worth looking at. With folding seats in the front and back, the entire inside seems to open up allowing one to transport large items with little difficulty. I purchased to extended warranty and feel good knowing that I have bumper to bumper protection for the first 120,000 miles or 6 years. The only drawback thus far is how the vehicle manages bumps and pavement breakups. On those occasions, the ride can be somewhat primitive - hold on to your fillings! Power locks, windows and remote mirrors as standard accessories are nice touches. Overall, for around 15 grand, a terrific deal!!

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  Honda Fit Review - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Diane - October 22 - 2:30 pm

  Very cheap carpeting! Freeway road noise more than I would like. Gas mileage in town is poor- 27-29. Hwy 36 with Sport A/T. (I drive very carefully!) Wish seat was a couple inches higher off floor and I really miss passenger armrest. Seems to be great variance in mpg among Fit owners from online chat rooms. Mine idles at 9-10 mph consistently. Was told thats correct. Very short on small storage spaces.

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  First time Honda Owner - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Ronna - July 12 - 11:57 pm

  I purchased the 2016 Honda Fit when the front suspension needed replacing in my trusty 2003 Toyota RAV. I loved the RAV but couldnt justify the investment of an expensive repair. Budget-wise, it was not an opportune time for me to buy a new car so it was important to find an economical solution. The new RAVs were now too large for me so I needed to find something else. I wanted a car that got great ratings & reviews, good crash test scores, excellent gas mileage, has lots of cargo space & a low price tag. After researching thoroughly, the Honda Fit was the only vehicle that met all of my criteria.

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  My so-so Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By miket - May 26 - 11:20 pm

  I expected more from this car. Ive had it for about 9 months, engine has to be broken in by now but the mileage is terrible. Barely get 400km on a tank and thats 50/50 city, hiway. I dont drive that hard either. My friends with domestic v6s get something close to that. It is fun to drive, kindve like a go-cart but because of all the little things, Im considering trading it in for something else. The auto tranny doesnt work for this underpowered engine either, theres too much downshifting going on at the slightest hint of throttle. I wish I did more research rather than be blinded by the fact that it was a new Honda. BTW the orange colour doesnt work too well for this car.

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  Downsizing from an SUV - 2009 Honda Fit
  By g-ma - May 20 - 4:40 pm

  I thought I could never drive anything but an SUV. Been driving one since 1984. I just purchased my Fit in 1/09. I was surprised to find out I really do enjoy it. Its a little lower but other than that, I really dont miss all the bells and whistles, especially when I realized the gas mileage. It all evened out. I recommend this vehicle.