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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  75.9 mpg?? - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Vicky McQuarrie - August 6 - 9:24 am

  OK, that was my hook but we really did get that result one Sunday going down hill. However, our overall gas mileage on this car in my opinion is amazing at 37.5 mpg average city highway driving. My Husband and I commute to work everyday about 50 miles one way, so we needed something that was going to give us good gas mileage and at a good price. We purchased this car in May and it has been a love affair from day one! On our way into work in the mornings our average mpg is about 45, in the afternoon not quite as good, more traffic and the air is blasting with temperatures here soaring at 110, our mpg on our afternoon trips has been around 36. I have heard that the numbers that they display on the car when your at the dealership are obtained by driving 55 mph in the controlled test environment, ours however, are from driving 75mph, maybe a little more on our way in, but these are real numbers by real people driving. May I say we couldnt be happier with our decision to purchase this car!

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  Best car in its class! - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Don Christiansen - July 27 - 12:08 pm

  This is a great car and I love it! The room in the back with the seats folded down is amazing, and with the seats up, the rear seat passenger room is great. The gas mileage is also terrific. I always get 41 to 45. Have never got below 41! My only complaints are the floor covering is very cheap crap and 6th gear should be higher. The engine is doing too many RPMs at highway speed. Highly recommend it!

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  6k Miles In... - 2015 Honda Fit
  By chase smith - July 26 - 8:42 pm

  My wife and I purchased the new Fit in February, 2015. Living in the northeast, the winter was harsh, but the Fit did great. It makes for a great commuting car, its comfortable (for a reasonable amount of time, see below) and gets great fuel economy. On the highway, its easy to get in excess of 41 mpg. Driving carefully, Ive been able to get upwards of 45+mpg. I dont think Ive ever paid more than $33.00 to fill it up, averaging well over 300 miles to a tank of fuel. Another plus that I really enjoy about this car is the way it handles. I also own a BMW 3 Series, which is one of the best handling cars available, (for under 60k) and this little Fit attacks the curves pretty good in comparison. I was quite surprised at first, I expected a lot of body roll, seeing the car is so tall, one would think it rode top heavy...not so the case. The ride is smooth and I have no complaints with road or wind noise. Theres only a few gripes I have with the car. One seems to be a common trend in the reviews Ive read, and that is the comfort of the seats. They are okay for the commute to work, (35/40 min) but anything over two hours or so, and I start to get rather uncomfortable. Also, the touch screen radio very cool, but not good if you have OCD about fingerprints on your electronics. Its also a little fussy to use and get used to but thats why there are buttons on the steering wheel. All in all, I love this car. I didnt think I did, and we only got it because my wife wanted it and we needed s second car. Now Im the only one that drives it, and we are extremely pleased with it thus far.

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  Great little car, but expense ridiculous repairs - 2013 Honda Fit
  By Hilaire Humphrey - July 20 - 9:47 pm

  We have two Honda Fits. The design is really great, as is the initial price. But...and it is a big BUT...recently one of the cars a/c completely stopped working. In this particular car, Honda chose to place the a/c unit within the dashboard. The a/c needs to be fixed. The car is no longer under warranty, but is only 2 years old and has been cared for well. The cost of fixing the a/c - $750! Why? Because the have to completely take apart the dashboard requiring several hours of labor. I am not the first. This is a serious design flaw. Unlike many cars, if you get a hot sunny day, you HAVE to run the a/c or the car will be unbearable so much so that it is hard to breathe because the very large dashboard gets so very incredibly hot. The other issue I am having in my other Fit is my dashboard is no longer level. What did the service staff tell me? It would take hours to fix and would be fairly expensive. If it is not creating a problem with the car the warranty is irrelevant for this issue as it is just cosmetic. There are other great small cars. Until Honda changes the a/c design, I advise people to buy a different small car. I will not buy a Fit again.

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  Dont buy a Honda Fit - 2015 Honda Fit
  By pepemarco - July 1 - 2:24 pm

  Ive been driving honda cars since 1977 -- and the Fit is truly disappointing. The locks on the car doors and the hatchback are now jamming, so we cant open them the rear shocks are failing and there is a terrible odor coming from the heater that the dealer wont fix. STAY AWAY FROM THE HONDA FIT.

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  Week 1 - 2015 Honda Fit
  By leebz - June 26 - 11:19 pm

  After having owned this car for a week, I would have to say that the overall performance of the car is average (its not meant to be a speedster). The interior is spacious and the cargo capacity and nifty seat configurations are practical. Some may not like the touch infotainment system. The worst part of it is the volume control (controlled from the steering wheel or the touch screen). It can be a little loud during acceleration but at cruising speeds is relatively quiet and pleasant. Overall ride is comfortable in my opinion. Seats are comfortable and dont bother me. Have yet to take it on a drive over an hour+. Cant wait for a road trip. This is my 3rd Honda & have to say the best yet.

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  2015 EX w/ CVT - 2015 Honda Fit
  By ss1012 - June 25 - 8:37 am

  Bought 2 months ago and wanted to drive a while before I reviewed. Almost bailed at the last minute due to questions about the drivers seat comfort. I now have ~2,000 miles on it, including 4 trips over two hours. I have had no issues w/ the seats, I love the car otherwise. This is our 5th Honda (4th in a row) so I like the brand - reliable, dependable, safe, economical. I really wanted a hatch-back so compared w/ Mazda 3 Hatchback and Subaru Impreza. I liked both but went for lower cost, better mileage, and the familiarity of a Honda. This is a pleasant car to drive, esp. if you are not performance (i.e. speed, acceleration) focused. I am very happy w/ this purchase.

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  Going to get rid of this car - 2015 Honda Fit
  By chuck1953 - June 9 - 3:51 pm

  I like this car because it is economical but if you dig a bit you will find that many people cannot drive this car for many miles or more than an hour or so without back pain. Something about the design of the seats is absolutely terrible. I enjoy the entertainment sytem, fuel economy, fit and finish but it is totally uncomfortable to drive. You will find this out but not until you have had it for a bit and I am not alone in this. Do a little internet search on uncomfortable seats in Honda Fit.

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  Fit - A great car for City Dweller-Active Lifestylists - 2015 Honda Fit
  By linslewis - May 21 - 12:22 pm

  Traded a 2009 Fit Sport for a 2015 Fit Ex. Both are manual transmission & greatly enjoying the upgrades Honda in to the new generation. I live in suburbia USA & commute to a major city for work approximately 22 miles each way. Have enjoyed the peppiness of the new Fit, as well as the ability to transport 2 bikes, plus gear in the back for weekend bike rides. I am missing that extra 1.6" Honda took when reducing overall length. I am a driver at heart, & having tons of fun.

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  It really is the best car in the world. - 2013 Honda Fit
  By projectm96 - May 13 - 8:46 am

  This car can do it all and last forever. My Sport model comes with the rear spoiler, fog lights, sporty front slip, exhaust tip, and side skirts, cruise control, paddle shifters, and 16" alloy wheels. It is a great package for a great price. The car really does "Fit" everything. I have used it for plenty of long road trips. It is made for road trips with its magic seats, several storage compartments, built in USB cable, two AC power outlets, and NINE cup holders.