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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crappy sound - 2016 Honda Fit
By dan - August 15 - 3:49 pmI leased a honda 2016 fit last month. The storage capability is great. However, my biggest complaint is the manufacturers sound system. Granted, this is the lower-end version, but it just plainly sounds horrible!! From the ancient knob-based search for radio stations to the just plain horrible bad-transistor radio speakers, it makes me want to shove needles in my ears to stop the aural pain! No matter if I play my cds, or use my ipod or cell phone through the aux jack, it makes great-sounding recordings sound awful! I cant take it anymore! Im going to have that crappy sound system (and Im being kind calling it that) removed and go to a Big Box store and get a decent one put in. Ill put the crappy one in a box and have it re-installed when it has to be returned.
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Lots of fun - 2008 Honda Fit
By Laz Morera - August 10 - 3:50 pmHonda DNA, car is fun to drive, efficient cargo utilization, good expected mileage (have not used a full tank yet). Excellent ABS brakes, turns on a dime, responsive stering, and fast. Mine is black, beautifull. My wife and I love it. Very practical, This is our 4th Honda. We also have an 05 Element EX. The only recommendation I have is that Cruise and remote keyless entry should be otions offered on the base model. All of this for less than $15 grand with auto and air and a bunch of airnags. Fantastic! Find a good Honda dealer and buy one soon!
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A cute little car that almost could - 2007 Honda Fit
By jdachinh - August 4 - 9:20 pmEverything about this car is great with 1 exception - no engine temperature gauge. The warning light will go on only after the engine gets hot! What a lack of foresight for such a great automobile company. Does this mean people who buy this vehicle should not take out of town road trips? Of all the design innovations, why were the folks at Honda that dumb to not include a engine temp. gauge. I live in Phoenix. Ever tried driving up to Flagstaff, AZ with the air conditioner on? It would disappoint me if I have to do a Fred Flintstone number just to travel north due to engine overheating
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The Fit fits Everything - 2008 Honda Fit
By Melissa - August 3 - 5:00 amIve had the Fit for only 6 months and I like it more and more everyday. Gas mileage is great. There is so much cargo space for such a little car. I can fit my Mountain Bike in the back without having to break it down. Love the cargo space. Its great in the snow for such a little car. This little car has some power behind it. The ratio between the steering wheel and the pedals is a bit uncomfortable. I think a telescoping steering wheel would easily solve this. Sound system is loud and on the loudest setting no static!
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Great car - 2007 Honda Fit
By Steve S. - July 28 - 10:46 amIve had my Honda Fit Sport automatic just over a month. The gas mileage the first three tanks, all 75-80% city driving: 24.6, 23.7, 24.7 mpg, less than I had hoped for. In every other way, it has been terrific. The braking, steering, and acceleration from a city stop are all very sensitive and responsive. I had the goal of purchasing a safe, reliable, economical, environmentally friendly (qualifies as LEV) fun-to-drive and not exorbitantly expensive vehicle. I feel like thats what I have. I test drove Yaris, Versa, Mazda3 and researched many others. For the best price, I went about 75 miles out of Los Angeles after extensively contacting Honda dealers internet sales folks.
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Perfect Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
By bill - July 20 - 10:50 pmJust before my daughter returned from Afghanistan I bought her a Fit Sport with Navigation. I liked it so well, I bought one for myself. Hers is Blue Pearl and mine is Black Pearl. Hers has some optional goodies such as center armrest, sport grill, all weather floor mats, door sill plates and rear bumper applique. She also added an aftermarket remote start system. I just opted for the arm rest and floor mats.
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Incredible Car - 2009 Honda Fit
By HarrisonGreeleyIII - July 20 - 8:23 amI love the Fit. The mileage is amazing. Im getting 32 mpg in the city and 40+ on the highways. This blows the EPA estimates out of the water (28/33). The gauges at night are beautiful. The MPG gauge really helps maximize fuel economy by showing current and average MPG at the same time. The paddle shifters are very cool and help maximize economy too. You can lock into 5th gear when cruising so the transmission never down shifts when going up hills. I just love this. This cars MPGs are right in line with my Yaris liftback that has nowhere near the room or features. The USB flash drive player is so very nice! Do yourself a favor and drive the 09 Fit Sport. You will LOVE IT!
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Love my Fit! - 2007 Honda Fit
By rpperkins - July 13 - 1:00 pmGreat small car. This is replacing my 1998 Honda CRV. Love the room, handling and mileage.
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Fits me - 2009 Honda Fit
By emil v - July 10 - 10:20 amThe 09 Fit sport looks small from the outside but it is impressively cozy and spacious inside. Im 60 tall and when Im sitting down I still have at least 6 inches gap between my and and the overhead interior. Just how it looks in the commercial it is very fun to drive, the handling and fuel economy is remarkable. Lots of cubic space in the back great on moving boxes, groceries, etc.
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Couldnt be Happier - 2009 Honda Fit
By thrilled - July 7 - 12:40 amThank God I read all of the owner reviews. I would not have looked at this car, because Im not crazy about the front end (looks like a snarling cat). But all of the good reviews were right on target. It is VERY comfortable (leg room, head room, cargo space), and drives like a dream. I am missing the remote key entry and cruise control, but if I had chosen the Sport model they were included. My only complaint is that the base model really could use some front arm rests. And yes, I am getting 42 miles per gallon!
