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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  Bumpy Ride - 2007 Honda Fit
  By nic815 - June 1 - 8:07 pm

  This car is not good if you are planning to have children, you cant fit the stroller in the trunk with many grocery bags. The back seat is small and with the car seat you can only fit one adult. There is not much leg room for a tall man in the passenger seat, your knees hit the dash board. Unless you live where the roads are paved smooth this car isnt for you, if you go over a pebble it feels like you wrecked the car. I didnt know the tires didnt have locks, and some low life robbed all my alloy wheels and tires, cost 1,000.

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  Great Car! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Tim - May 28 - 3:26 am

  I have owned 5 Hondas over the last 10 years and may be a little bias, But Honda has done it again. At first I was turned off by the small engine & the kind of high price for its class. I decided to give it a chance and took one home for a test drive. Very impressed with power of little engine, however dont buy if speed is your thing. I bought a manual and have had no problems getting where I need to be and getting on the highway works great for the most part. Very impressed with build quility. solid car with great gas mileage. If good gas mileage and quilty are your thing then this car is best in its class. Only had car 2 weeks will make another input after 3 months.

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  Best car ever!! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By haide - May 28 - 12:53 am

  This car is the best car ever!! If I was rich and drove an Aston Martin I would still drive this car!! This car is perfect for your kids first car, college students, and people on a budget like me!! I am a single working mother and this car Fits me and my lifestyle!

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  Im converted to Honda!!!! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By fieldschild - May 22 - 8:58 am

  After my auto accident in 2007, I needed a vehicle easy to get in and out of. The Honda Fit was just the right height. I didnt have to climb in or out, just sit and twist my legs in and out. I love the folding rear seats. I am single and have to tote groceries, landscaping supplies for my yard, mulch and soil. Even the salesmen couldnt believe I got so much in my little car! They were impressed.

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  Tires are lousy - 2007 Honda Fit
  By hondagal - May 19 - 3:06 pm

  Cute car, great color, in fact I use the thrill of Brazil nail polish manicures and touch ups on the car, nails match car. TIRES - get your act together HONDA! Time to upgrade or give a better option. Am at 32,000 and tires are very loud and worn and gone, will have to replace them tomorrow.

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  Fave Vehicle Past 34 Years - 2009 Honda Fit
  By FITFAN1 - May 17 - 2:00 pm

  I have owned 12 vehicles since 1975, both foreign and domestic, cars, SUVs and pick up trucks. I purchased a 2009 Honda Fit Sport AT with the paddle shifters. What a great economy car! Owned it for 30 days and the fuel stats are super. Worst MPG was 29.9 with the first tank of gas and that was mostly stop and go St. Louis metro driving. Overall mileage is 38.4 MPG after 900 miles. One highway only driving trip averaged 44.9 MPG while the computer estimated 46.9 MPG. I have 60% city/urban and 40% interstate driving. Paddle shifters are great, radio reception superb, picking up many weak and distant stations in St. Louis market. Interior space and comfort are tops. Engines smooth and quiet.

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  "LUVMYFIT" - 2008 Honda Fit
  By supercore - May 12 - 12:16 pm

  After looking at everything, I decided on my fit, and I am "fit" to be tied with happiness. Mileage is excellent, in fact I just filled it up, and it took 8 gal of gas for 324 miles. Being retired, and almost 70 years of age, I can stay with almost anything on the road. It is comfortable in town and on the road. No wind noise, Cruise control works great, and since I have the "sport" model, I get compliments every day. I almost bought a Mazda 3, but then when you consider the resale value, the "fit" is the only choice. They now have some great "trick stuff" to customize your fit, and I look for excuses to drive it. Oh, I used to drive an avalanche, and loved it. Its an outstanding car, go buy one!

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  Fit fits - 2007 Honda Fit
  By ron frame - May 1 - 7:26 pm

  32k miles - used LESS than 1000 gallons of gas, have a tad over 33.43 mpg on a 1000 mile trip. NO problems at all. Only complaint, tires will need replacing in the next month or two. Magic seats are great. Glad I bought one.

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  My Little Blue Beast - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Coldfoot - May 1 - 10:45 am

  Vroom vroom baby!!! This little car has a lot of "get up and go" as my mother put it and it is soooo much fun to drive. I picked up a queen size, four post bed frame last week with ease all because of the 40/60 flip down back seating area. Also, the seats flip up for a different kind of space. I use that feature on a daily basis so my dogs dont get the seat furry. All my friends are jealous of my seemingly "never empty" gas tank because I get such great gas mileage. Oh and the color! People are always checking me out and asking me if its a hybrid. Thank you Honda!!! I love my car!

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  Surprising - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Pete - April 29 - 7:30 am

  Was about to sign the papers on a Civic EX Sedan and then spied this. A much better choice and tons more fun. It takes a little used getting to going from an F150 to this, but I dont feel unsafe when trucks or SUVs gang up on me on the freeways. This has been out in Europe since 2001, so I wasnt afraid to buy its first year run in the United States.