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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  2 Years, No Complaint ! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Al G - September 10 - 12:14 am

  I had this car for 2 years and have put 20,000 miles on it. It havent had any problem except for 2 very minor issues, such as rear window wiper cable disconnection. Those are easy fix. Best looking and mileage among all sub-compact cars. Honda builds great cars and manages their service shops very well. This is my 3rd post on this car for Edmunds.

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  Slightly dissapointed - 2008 Honda Fit
  By chin - September 9 - 1:17 pm

  Got the fit sport 5 speed.after 2000 miles, the average MPG is around 33. strictly highway around 37.expected more from such a small car.(coming from a 02 Chevy Prizm) I drive the speed limit, slow starts and all the tricks on the book. 109hp feels weaker than 105 hp on a 96 geo prizm. engine screams at 70 mph.(over 3500 rpm) the good: perfect transmission, one of the best Ive seen. fun to drive.responsive engine.quality interior for the price.Honda reliability (hopefully)

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  Fit for me. - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Clifton - September 8 - 11:41 pm

  The Honda Fit has been a great car so far. Not only do I average 32-33 miles per gallon (less on E10, unfortunately), the tight steering and quick shifter makes every drive enjoyable. With only 109 horsepower its not a stoplight racer, but the 1.5 L mill is more than adequate for driving in the city and pulling the Fits ~2600 lbs up to highway speeds. While its no plush luxury car, the Fits interior space belies its diminutive size, as four people can fit in the Fit in relative comfort. Then with a few clicks of the "magic seats" you can fill the car with furniture, boxes, etc.

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  great car , bad mpg - 2008 Honda Fit
  By harry - September 1 - 1:11 pm

  I am electrician and service eastern n.c. I keep record of all gas used. In 3 mo 13,000 miles and 400 gal = 32.5 mpg thats 95% hwy. I have gotten in one tank 27 mpg to 43 mpg in another tank. Most tanks average 30-32 hwy driving on the flatside of Raleigh nc to nc coast. My best hwy mpg has been driving Raleigh nc west to winston- salem nc. I have had it to dealer 4 times and they say computer said everything is working properly. I got the car for the high mpg. gas prices are my enemy. I owed a 91 civic and got 37 mpg. Wish I still had it.

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  2008 Honda Fit - 2008 Honda Fit
  By chris - August 29 - 2:30 pm

  Just got my car last month. Ive put 1000 miles on it so far and I am rather pleased. the only item i have regrets with is not having cruise control. i am getting 30-32 mpg which is double what my previous car was getting. I only wish i could have waited to take a look at the 2009 fit.

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  What a fun little Go Cart - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Lesson - August 28 - 10:30 pm

  I traded in my SUV for a car that will get excellent gas mileage and be reliable over the years. I got more than that! This car is great. It is a lot of fun to drive and gets great gas mileage. My friends and family have always owned Hondas and have never been disappointed. I have owned BMWs, Jaguars, Saabs, Land Rover, and Mercedes. This car beats them all in fun factor. I am more satisfied with purchase than all of the others.

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  No way 34 mpg -- more like 38 - 42 mpg! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Dennis - August 26 - 6:57 am

  Get the 5 spd stick - short throws it shifts like butter! As good as if not better than my Civic si which I sold to my son. I have driven 4200 miles. The car is beyond excellent! Combined street/highway the lowest mileage. With the a/c on is 37 mpg. One caveat. Drive the speed limit. No fast starts. Shift to the higher gear. You can easily be in 5th gear at 40 miles per hour. If you drive meticulously. I guarantee 39 - and I have many time average 41-42 mpg. I have owned the Accord, my wife has a Civic, my two sons each have a Civic si. But for excellent mileage. You cannot beat the Honda fit. Excellent build/ride/reliability. The car rocks. And I paid little over $14k tax included!

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  design needs help - 2008 Honda Fit
  By needs design improve - August 23 - 3:57 pm

  The AC is weak and cannot overcome the black interior in the sun. A light gray interior needs to be standard. The seats need help, I have a strong back and never have back ache, but the seats on the Fit are bad on trips over 50 miles. Seats are also too hard. Rear visibility is blocked by the rear seat head rests. Tire noise is excessive. The "smart key" costs a fortune for less anti-theft benefit than a cheap "Club", and returns an insurance reduction of only $8 a year(10% off the theft portion), about a tenth the replacement key cost. HOLD TIGHT On the positive the engine performance is adequate. The car is quite, tires excluded. The headroom is excellent, and leg room is great.

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  Fit to Love! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By TnD - August 23 - 1:45 pm

  This car is ball to drive. Mileage is good, if not excellent. Interior is very good but could use some safety improvement on the door sills and on the step bumper since gloss paint is very slippery when wet. They are offered as accessories added by the dealer but should come from the factory as part of the new vehicle. Honda slipped up there.

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  Most fun econohatch for tall people - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Jon - August 23 - 1:00 pm

  For first car, wanted to get an economical hatch that didnt feel like "my dads car." The Fit hit all of the buttons. Lots of usable cargo space, simple user-friendly interior, dash and controls, and is a blast to drive. Didnt think an economical car could be fun to drive, but the Fit is. Granted, its no Mini or Mazda3 or real sports car, but its by far the most sporty of the economy hatchbacks and while it may not have the power that a real sports car has, it sure feels like one. Has to count for something, IMHO. Requires extra responsibility when driving.