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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  Going through Edmund created competition - 2017 Honda Fit
  By Tony P - January 7 - 5:02 pm

  Satisfied with my purchase at Honda of Rockwall. All sales reps were very professional.

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  Put the minivan away! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By tcanders - December 26 - 8:40 am

  We bought the Fit last fall as a commuter vehicle and have since used it almost exclusively. With gas >$4 we now leave our Sienna in the garage except for trips with more than 4 of us. The Fit just took our family of 4 (children 6 and 9) and all our gear on a 2 week 4300 mile trip west. It handled the mountains and 75 mph on the interstate just fine and 32 to 41 mpg to boot. The lower economy occurred at 75 mph into a strong head wind. This car drives bigger than it is, handles well, and the paddle shifters are fun when pushing the car on curvy roads. Im 62" and I was comfortable for all 4300 miles. Sure enjoyed the mp3s across the many miles of fields and cows...

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  Gas miser - 2008 Honda Fit
  By GLEN - December 5 - 2:06 am

  I love my Honda Fit Sport. Drives like a golf cart. Brought home a washing machine in the back..no problem. Gas mileage 33 mpg. Stereo is great. Seats are a little stiff. My other car is a Mini Cooper. The Honda blows it away & is 4k cheaper

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  "Fits" my needs perfectly. - 2008 Honda Fit
  By gs850gx - November 30 - 9:20 am

  Practical to the core! I have about 2500 miles on the car since purchased new in August 2007. Gas mileage has been getting better as it breaks in and currently gets 35+ on a trip and 31 around town, all spirited driving. The car handles great and has proved itself worthy in slush and snow with the factory tires. The drive is Sporty and very enjoyable, decent comfort and stereo make the miles slide by. The interior is very versatile and convenient to access with no stretching and fishing to get things in and out. Build quality seems good. The low beams have been my only real complaint and I had to adjust the headlamps up a bit in thw hilly area where I live. They are pleny bright however.

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  Seats hurt - 2008 Honda Fit
  By debh - November 22 - 6:36 pm

  I did months of research and test drove the Fit Sport and waited some more before I decided to buy the Fit. I cannot get accustomed to the seats and the clutch. My back and left leg have hurt since buying the car. I have waited hoping my muscles will adjust but no deal-I will be taking the car back to see if the dealership can help a girl out-any suggestions?

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  fun fun fun! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By whackgirl17 - October 17 - 11:20 pm

  After getting through a terrible ordeal with the dealership, my Honda Fit is great! Ill list my cons first: I agree with comments that there should be a center arm rest & a dead pedal next to the clutch. I also wish that the rear window wiper had an intermittent speed. There is quite a bit of road noise coming up from the floor at highway speed. On a day to day basis though, these things do not really bother me. Having used an automatic transmission Fit while waiting for my real car, I definitely recommend the manual transmission and would not even buy an automatic in this model. I love the zippiness of my Fit & the sound system is good. It is so cute, well designed & fun to drive.

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  Just purchased - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Ashley - October 17 - 8:16 pm

  Car is so much fun to drive and has tons of cool features! I really like the advanced air bags and how the back seats recline, fold up, and fold down. This car has tons of head room! Gets excellent gas mileage! I love it!

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  What a Buy! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Nikki - October 14 - 11:13 am

  Once the design is seen in person it is hard not to marvel and once you get it home and are able to play with all the extras (like the aux input, seat folding etc) it is amazing that so much comes in small packages.

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  Fit for life - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Vanessa - October 10 - 8:38 am

  Invest in the EX. Be prepared to consider getting an iphone if you have an android.

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  Great except mileage - 2007 Honda Fit
  By jao - September 12 - 2:30 pm

  I love the Fit, except for the mileage I am getting. It is well designed, well built and fun to drive. However, I am getting only 24.5 - 27 mpg. I know a lot of other Sport AT owners are doing better, but have noticed others like me not getting excellent mileage. Hopefully, Honda will figure out why.