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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  Best mpg Ive ever seen - 2007 Honda Fit
  By solarpete - August 1 - 11:17 pm

  I get 40 mpg on the hi-way! If it is cooler in the season and the a/c doesnt need to be on that little car is great. It will drop down to about 37 mpg hi-way with the a/c turned on. Im planning on driving it up to NE Georiga next month, so the truth will be known on the mpg then, but Its great to fill it up on a meer 10.00 while others are laying out 20-50 dollar per fill up

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  Paint Loss - 2009 Honda Fit
  By rlw6664 - August 1 - 12:07 am

  Pleased with this car so far but have only owned it since July 27,2009. I have put 225 miles on it as of today July 31. My excitement over owning my first new car is fading very quickly (havent made 1st payt. yet) as of today I am starting to see small paint chips come off the hatchback door. You can see white base/primer coat where the blue paint use to be. So far I have counted 9 different spots. They are aprox. the size of a match head. As I was washing it today a chip of paint aprox. 1/4" wide by 3/4" long came off as I was wiping the water off by the drivers side door, down by the front qtr. panel trailing edge. Also noticed a lot of water allowed between doors and bottom sills.

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  Great car even without extra options - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Ethel - July 31 - 4:01 pm

  This is the basic automatic Fit, no options. 61" husband says it feels spacier than our minivan in the drivers seat. Fitting two kids in the back is less hassle than our minivan, and even 3 is expected to be easier (will need to buy skinny booster seats for older kids). MPG is amazing! Im getting 44 mpg round trip on my 25 mile one-way mostly-highway commute. Plenty of space in the back for most groceries and light travel, even without folding down the back seats. CD player can do MP3 and WMA - nice! A/C handled 103 degree weather without being turned up all the way. No real blind-spots. We do miss cruise control and keyless entry (options). The headrests annoy both of us.

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  The perfect "FIT" for our lifestyle. - 2009 Honda Fit
  By responderG - July 31 - 1:27 pm

  My wife and I live in a retirement community where we make alot of short trips to the stores, parks and etc. The Honda Fit Sport /w AT that we purchased, fullfills most of our expectations. We`re very satisfied with the running performance of this car.

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  to expensive - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Pancho - July 31 - 11:58 am

  My fit is a EX version after 5 months of driving it i feel that I could get a better car for my money, the fit power is poor (and winth a/c on is worse), the engine noise in the cabin is loud, the plastic is to cheap, I don´t like it after 5 months,since I bought it, the dealer change 1 sun visor, 1 plastic cover on the floor, the center air vents because when you put the a/c on 3 or 4 it clouse, and the boring noises are on all over the car those that are form plastic to plastic.

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  Fit not for me - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Justin Slocum - July 29 - 1:18 pm

  I purchased a Honda Fit Sport with the 5 speed manual gear box and overall its a very solid car but I traded it in for the following reasons.. The steering is way too quick and downright squirrely at highway speeds.. Around town its not really a problem but on the highway its annoying. Youre constantly keeping the car on track. Secondly, at highway speeds it seems to be very susceptible to crosswinds because of its weight and body design. I would have to white knuckle the thing going on long trips with it. Lastly, its geared too short. Youre constantly shifting and the engine drones at highway speeds. Traded up to a civic ex coupe. I wouldnt advise buying this car at all.

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  Great people and cargo hauler - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Alex - July 28 - 12:23 am

  After 3 years and 25k miles, I havent had to change a thing, not even the windshield wiper rubber! It lives up to the Honda reputation. Ample room and flexible seat arrangements allows you to carry big or long items, saving the cost of buying a truck. Its headroom is larger than most SUV and midsize cars.

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  Mini Minivan - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Wow! - July 27 - 7:24 pm

  If you are looking for a small car with great gas mileage, lots of interior room, look no further this is it! From the outside the car looks tiny but the room inside is amazing - like a mini minivan.

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  Nice overall package! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By hspatz - July 26 - 3:24 pm

  This car feels very roomy for such a small car for both people and cargo. Average is around 37 mph overall. On trips can exceed 400 miles (10 gallons) on a tank. Steering is fast, borders on twitchy over 65 mph. Handling is excellent with rear breaking loose slightly with aggressive driving. Suspension is somewhat too stiff for bad New England roads. Acceleration more than adequate with manual trans. Front sometimes touches at end of driveways--be careful. Engine noisy over 70 mph. 65 mph is sweet spot. A/C a little weak, but doesnt sap much power. Controls work well and are easy to use.

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  Second Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By judi - July 26 - 1:10 pm

  I had a 2007 fit and I loved the fast pickup, but the ride was not that great and the car started to shake at about 65 or 70 mph. I bought the 2009 and the ride is much better, but unfortunately, there is no pickup and a lack of passing power. I always was a Honda girl, but now looking to change. Spent all that extra money for navigation with no traffic.