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:

• 

  Love my Red Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Jeff - June 10 - 7:24 pm

  Love my fit. Great economy. drives a whole lot like my 2000 Miata, this just a great car

• 

  My little Fit that can - 2007 Honda Fit
  By donaldchudsonjr - June 9 - 1:01 pm

  I currently have 23,000 miles on my Fit Base model that I purchased for my wife in September 2007. I have had no issues period with this car. It has made several east coast trips in the last few months. One trip down to FL averaged 42 MPG (with a tail wind)!!! That is just as good as my 1996 Civic CX that has 420,000 miles. The ABS system in this car is awesome, even while trailering to motorcycles. I made my own trailer hitch and have been moving everything I own down to FL, much cheaper than renting a truck. The interior is extremely comfortable, and the ride feels sporty even while lacking the get up and go to match it. All in all a great quality car well worth my cash.

• 

  Love that Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By kwren - June 4 - 11:43 am

  I love my new Fit and it gets a lot of attention out on the road. People want to know what it is and how the gas mileage is.

• 

  I love my car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Demifate - May 30 - 10:19 pm

  I keep saying that "I love my car". My family is sick of it. I ran my fit to the empty line on gas. With air conditioning blaring on high all the time, it gets 25/30. With it on low most the time, I got 34/36 mpg. Yes, 36 mpg while commuting highway! It took over a year for my Fit to even show decent gas mileage, but they dealer had warned me about this, and knowing a great number mechanics and tow companies helped with not hading ridiculous expectations. It runs well, and with constant upkeep and regular checkups it shifts perfectly, and does not pull as a few other reviews have said. Keep your tire pressure up properly, and the noise goes away too.

• 

  First Car Purchase - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Tim Mendoza - May 29 - 9:48 pm

  I love driving my 07 Honda Fit Sport 5AT. I gets great gas mileage & can park anywhere

• 

  Fit As a FIDDLE - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Don Cook - May 25 - 7:06 pm

  Purchased this new Honda after much research, and trading in my 03 Element.This vehicle is extremely comfortable and is nimble and very steady on the road. Check out Car and Driver for May 06..beats 15 other cars in the Fits catagory..Rated #1 on all levels and 50mpg on the Highway and excellent crash test results. Honda is again the benchmark for vehicles and purchase price wont kill the pocketbook.

• 

  I love this car! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By JA - May 22 - 1:23 pm

  I bought my Fit a little over a month ago and Im on my 5th tank of gas. Ive havent had as much fun driving a car since my first VW a long time ago. My mileage is great -- between 36 and 38. This is not interstate driving, but short commutes, some city, lots of rolling hills. Im concerned about the clearance since I live where there is a lot of snow and mud. And I wish the seat had a height adjustment -- I use a small pillow. My only other complaint is that the seat fabric and the carpet look and feel cheap. But if youre looking for space, fun, great fuel economy and a reasonable price, this is your car!

• 

  My fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By jbadams - May 19 - 6:47 pm

  Great sporty little car. A lot of interior room.Looks small on the outside but a lot on the inside. I put a 8 ft book case in back. The car handles excellent. Great cornering ans stability.The gas mileage less than advertised.30 mpg on highway and about 26 in town. Still ok but a lot less than advertised. In the winter time the windows fog up very easily. Very frustrating.

• 

  Versatile, Zippy and Reliable - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Sable - May 9 - 11:01 am

  I love my Fit! I live in the city, and the Fits small size makes parking a breeze. But, Im also a performer and I need to haul all manner of costumes, props and set pieces to and from shows. Despite the Fits deceptively small exterior, I can pack a TON into the back. And, when Im not hauling a full load of cargo, my two dogs and I pile in and we can zip around town. My only criticism is in regards to gas mileage. Ive never achieved the 31-38 mpg range advertised. I average about 26 mpg in the city and (if Im lucky!) 30 mpg on the highway. Other than that- no complaints at all!

• 

  Best in Class - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Jeremy - May 9 - 7:48 am

  With gas prices blah blah blah, yes we all seem to be in the market for small cars and Im no different. I literally tried every small car available and did not have to think twice about settling on the Honda Fit. It exudes confidence in itself on every level and matched all of my expectations. This car is a perfect fit for many.