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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  (F)itll Put a Smile on Your Face - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Barry - August 19 - 4:13 am

  Youll be smiling too - you dont even need to be an engineer to appreciate all the talented design and manufacturing expertise that went into this car. In 40 years my wife and I have purchased new - one BMW, one Porsche, one Audi, one Subaru, one Toyota, 3 Hondas and 2 Acuras (Hondas w. more buttons). The 5 Honda products were retained an average of 8 years each, the 3 Germans only 3 years each. In my book, Hondas have the best balance of fun to drive, comfort, long term reliability and low total ownership cost. That makes me smile.

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  like it so far - 2007 Honda Fit
  By vtfit - August 18 - 3:08 pm

  Bought a new Fit in 2007. So far weve seen an incredible savings in gas: anywhere from 32-38. Zoomy, responsive. Seats are a bit cheap and uncomfortable on long drives. We bring a pillow to sit on. Drivers legroom is not great for tall people. My husband is just 6 feet and needs the pillow to give his legs another few inches. Not many bells and whistles but thats not why we bought it. Very dependable so far. Great cargo space. We have been able to fit a TON of stuff in the back when you put the seats down. We joke that we can "fit" it in any parking space and we can "fit" anything into it. Handled well in the Vermont snow. Backseat is not super roomy but its not terrible.

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  love it, but mileage terrible - 2008 Honda Fit
  By goldylocks - August 15 - 2:06 pm

  Ok, so I traded in a small SUV for this Milano Red Honda Fit Sport Automatic. Honestly, my SUV got better gas mileage, I have to fill up at 200 miles in city. I only live 2 miles from work. so the best mileage Ive gotten is 24 mpg. But the majority is coming 20-21 mpg. I have not put it on the highway yet to test, but most of my driving is in the city, granted I live in Baton Rouge and we have terrible traffic, but i live 2 miles from work and dont go outside that realm during the week. I absolutely love everything about this car except the gas mileage. I just had the windows tinted, installed a sunroof and an armrest. Looks really sporty.

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  Cool Car! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By tomsandys - August 14 - 9:32 pm

  Really a fun car to drive, worst gas mileage so far is 40 mpg, best 46 mpg. Sturdy, quiet, and nimble for an economy car.

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  Excellent - 2008 Honda Fit
  By HONDA FIT - August 14 - 11:26 am

  I really enjoy this car. The space is incredible. Use in my work with lots of equipment. Highway mileage is much higher than reported. Ride is a bit rough.

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  Not that small - 2008 Honda Fit
  By DAN BELL - August 13 - 7:57 pm

  My new Honda fit look small but is huge inside, very smart design. Very quick consider 109 hp. Gas mileage so far 30-32 mpg mixed city & highways very stable at any speed especially on curves, it handles like any other car I drove before. Honda did a excellent job on this model

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  Best in its class and then some - 2007 Honda Fit
  By eldaino - August 13 - 3:06 pm

  This car is everything you can ask for in a small, fuel efficient vehicle. and then it goes a step further. it offered handling and steering feel that is superior to the civic ex coupe and is trounced only by the si in terms of handling prowess. The controls are logically placed, the interior is top notch and a few steps ahead of all the cars in its class, that being that it also the oldest design. Economy is great, i average 33mpg mixed spirited driving, and maintenance has been very cheap. no major issues so far, as is typical in a Honda. Other sub 17k cars make you feel embarrassed or even bad getting into them everyday. You look forward to the drive with the Fit.

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  poor miage - 2008 Honda Fit
  By mitzie - August 13 - 12:53 pm

  I recently purchased my Honda Fit for the gas mileage, I was told it would get about 40 with a standard transmission. I really wanted an automatic. I have filled the tank twice and I am getting about 34 miles a gallon .. I am doing a lot of coasting and I am very disappointed. otherwise the care is great but gas counted. I was told the echo or yaris got about 40 also

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  My best experience ever - 2008 Honda Fit
  By damick - August 10 - 1:40 am

  This Sport Fit is just great. I have as much front driving room as I had in a Mercury Sable. Just excellent for a 2 person car. I love it cause the room in the back when the seats are folded down is awesome. This little gas saver is loaded from a base sticker. I mean everything. Stereo is the best sound I have ever heard in a car. If you want to drive in a manual mode in an automatic transmission you can control that with a touch of a steering wheel button. You can gear down fast to a stop. I have had it up against so similar cars I will not mention and this one has class to it. The Sport I speak of. use to pay $65.00 per fill up now only $38.00 for the same distance. Buy one you will enjoy.

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  The Fit is a Definite GO - 2007 Honda Fit
  By fittastic - August 6 - 12:46 pm

  Ive only had the FIT (base model w/ MT) now for a handful of days, but Ive put over 500 miles on it already and could not be happier! It handles wonderfully, parks easily, and the gas mileage is superb! All for a base model car with power windows/locks, AC, stereo, and awesome safety features!