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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  The Fit is go - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Hank - September 5 - 4:20 am

  Just purchased this car yesterday and so far I love it!. The most amazing aspect is the room inside and comfortable seats. The ride is a little choppy yet smooth. I can tell it is going to be a gas miser because I have drove it everywhere today and the gas guage hand hasnt moved yet. The stereo is powerful with a quality sound. The handling of the car is quick & precise.

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  Shattered my expectations. - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Odindusk - September 3 - 8:16 am

  This car has an incredible fun factor when driving it. Its zippy without feeling "weak" and steering is very nice. I bought the "Storm Silver Metallic" which I think complements the body design the best (goes great with the alloy wheels on the Sport trim). The interior is ridiculously roomy for what you think it would have for space. Im 62" and my there is something like 6" clearance above me still. The instrumentation is very sharp. The lighting/color/font scheme is very attractive and something I wouldnt expect in a sub-$20K car. Paddle shifters add another dimension to the enjoyability of the ride.

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  Brigids toy - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Brigid - August 31 - 4:46 pm

  We bought this car to replace an 04 Scion xA that my wife loved. That car we gave to our daughter in grad school. When we went to the Scion dealer and discovered they are no longer making the xA, we went next door to the Honda dealer. 5-sp manuals are apparently hard to get, but he found one at a deal in the next state, and we got ours in a few days. It feels bigger, more substantial, quieter, and smoother at highway speeds than the xA, but its not quite as fun to drive. It might be the standard 14" economy car tires--the Scion has 16" standard--thinking of getting 15" tires and alloys. Its certainly quick enough with the 5 sp manual.

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  Love at first sight - 2009 Honda Fit
  By goodheart - August 20 - 4:20 pm

  I saw this "sensational blue" FIT in the show room while I was waiting on my Preludes front light to be replaced. It does have two personalities; very cute outside and so much room inside. Drives like a butter and hugs the curve like a cat. Oh by thy way, the views from inside are magnificent- nothing will be on your way.

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  Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Gary W. Maschmeyer - August 7 - 3:10 am

  I have researched this car since early March 2006 and I have found that the information that I have received from several sourices is correct. The fit is fun to drive and easy to drive. It has interior room then I thought and the safety features are second to none on a car this size. I am still breaking in the car but the gas mileage so far has been great. The interior room is more than enough.

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  Great little car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By LaurenceB - July 31 - 9:03 am

  I have been very pleased with my Honda Fit. My basic manual version gets 37 mpg regularly, which is about equal to the goverment estimates. It is the first car that I have had to come even close to the expected fuel economy. I am particularly pleased with the extremely low rolling resistance. It gives a sense of frugality and adds to the engines performance.

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  Cheap, quick and certainly not dead! - 2013 Honda Fit
  By Lars Carlsen - July 31 - 3:24 am

  This car is all about function over form, it looks like a guppy, albeit a cute one, and the cockpit is spaceship like, but the materials are more functional than luxurious. It is definitely not a powerhouse but it is Peppy in stop and go traffic.

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  New Honda Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Terry Kim - July 18 - 3:10 am

  I bought Honda Fit 2009 basic model two weeks ago. This is my first car. The interior and exterior designs were good. Also, it was really fun to drive because of the engine sound. Front seats had lots of spaces and it was much more comfortable than I anticipated. However, When driving in Free-Way, the car gets shaky because of wind. Also, I got many complaints from my family who sat in the back seat because the car wasnt very stabled.

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  Love it! - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Coach Leathrum - July 12 - 12:04 am

  I love my cute new car. Ive only owed it for a week, but its been great. Easy to drive, comfortable, plenty of storage despite its small size. Easy to park and maneuver in small spaces. Feels fine on a highway but clearly it isnt a luxury car. My biggest complaint is the small capacity of the fuel tank. It is cheap to fill, but is required every 350 miles. Given its great mpg its disappointing how often it need to be refueled.

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  Love the Cargo Space! - 2012 Honda Fit
  By Carol T. - July 10 - 2:54 pm

  Its been a great little car until the airbag recall, have to drive a Hertz rental (does not cost me) for 6 weeks so far and they dont expect the part until July or August. No fault of my super little Fit. Lots of headroom and (Im short) leg room for me. Small turning for U turns but not as much power uphill. Really nice for work and around town. Plenty of room when shopping bags and other things. So far just regular service but soon I will need new tires if I ever get the air bag repair.