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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  I Love My FIT! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By BigMac - October 10 - 11:45 pm

  I bought this car with 5,000 miles on the odometer. It has been a real joy from day one! We get 35 mpg around town with the a/c & auto trans. My sister in law owns the identical car & we fell in love with hers. We are both a young 69 years of age. I gave $15,900 plus sales tax. 1st time Honda owner.

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  Biggest Little Car Made - 2008 Honda Fit
  By John - October 10 - 3:33 pm

  Great little car. Easy to camp out of, haul strollers, and lumber alike. Some of the other reviews complain about MPG, mine is great. 36 to 40 MPG in town and 45 to 50 hwy every time. We have 35,000 trouble free miles. Stock tires are worn out already but they did excellent in snow and rain! First car I have ever owned - always had trucks and vans, but I have been able to haul everything the van did, still got my old truck though! Took the car camping and got it down the same trail all the 4x4s, only non truck at the camp site, buddies stop making fun of the Fit, well they have more respect anyway. I dont like that my leg hits the cup holders, but at 61" I am still comfortable.

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  Made for Commuting - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Russell - October 5 - 8:22 am

  I bought this car because I was returning from overseas and needed a second car for commuting to work. After buying the car I received a 10- month assignment at a location 575 miles from my house, and I do that drive 1-2 times per month. If I knew I’d be driving that far so regularly, I would’ve purchased a car more composed at highway speeds. Highway performance is weak. At 80 mph, the engine turns nearly 4000 rpm, which is annoying and doesn’t give much cushion for passing. Short wheelbase equals bouncy ride. Braking is fair and should be improved. Rear drums and lack of VSC have caused instability during high-speed heavy braking.

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  Surprisingly agile little car - 2009 Honda Fit
  By fitfan - October 3 - 8:52 pm

  Owned it for 2 mo. & used mostly for in-town driving, with a few 2+ hr trips, and is surprisingly agile and very easy to drive (although as noted elsewhere, not swift). Average mpg (actual, not from gauge, which measures through powertrain) is between 33-36. Its made several trips to Ikea, and can carry home 2 adults and a full size sofabed with no problems. Four tall adults fit very comfortably. Yes, interior is a little cheap looking, but look at the price youve paid -- its great value for the money. Ive rarely used the paddle shifters, but theyll come in handy when the snow starts falling. Wheel size limits me to alloy rims in aftermarket (I prefer steel rims on my snow tires).

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  Great around town car - 2016 Honda Fit
  By 29ways - October 3 - 6:31 am

  Love the gas mileage on this little car, wish it had a bit more get up and go, but it is a 4 cylinder. Overall am very happy with my new no frills auto.

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  Quirks! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By William Marchetti - September 28 - 6:32 am

  I really cannot believe that no one here addressed the Dash Reflection Problem on the Windsheild! I have an Image of the creases of the dash almost permanently glaring at me which I find annoying. When the sun shines the reflection of the dash is worse. Its right there straight ahead while driving. A big distraction. Also the illumination of the headlights are weird. They do not go that far out! Mainly downward to a black line. They also do not shine to the side very well, I have trouble making a turn because the lighting is not there. I think the strange headlight design is the reason.

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  My mini-SUV - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Goldbug - September 25 - 9:06 pm

  Very fun to drive and zip around with. I purchased this after missing the space of an SUV but wanted the great mileage as well. Less than a month and Im getting 38.8 mpg mostly on highway driving going mostly 65 mph. Love the interior space especially the magic seats. Very versatile in that aspect. Acceleration is not as bad as I thought it would be and the fog lights, interior lighting, dash lights and speakers are a plus. The second glove compartment and ipod/aux jacks are cool too. Theres really not a whole lot to complain about for the money.

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  Wow, this is a great car - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Edwin - September 21 - 5:08 pm

  I have only had this Fit for a month or so and so far it is a great car. I bought it during the "Cash for Clunkers program" and I can notice the gas mileage improvement. So far my average since I bought it is 37.5 MPG. I love the way the back seats fold down. They fold down flat. The sound system is the best Ive ever had. Enough said. So far I love it.

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  Dont buy this car! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Roch53 - September 20 - 7:29 pm

  This car is awful. I feel so unsafe in this car plus it is so uncomfortable and I am very short. The car rattles and the mechanics cant find the problem. Gas mileage is not what they say it is. The tires that come with the car do not last. I would not recommend this car to anyone.

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  Love it, love it, love it - 2009 Honda Fit
  By LouieLou - September 18 - 9:53 pm

  Short sweet and to the point, the car is fun fun fun to drive. Handles like a go cart and is roomy enough for the family. The one thing to worry about is the popularity of the Fit Sport Rims. Had the car not even a month when it was attacked. :-( All 4 rims and tires gone. Left on MILK CRATES. Over $4,000 in damages later, car is new again and now have 4 wheel locks on each tire. :-) Love this car.