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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  Bought a 17 for my granddaughter. Mines a 15 - 2017 Honda Fit
  By Andy Shriver - February 23 - 4:50 pm

  My granddaughter loves her 2017 LX CVT Fit. She reports it is super economical, claiming 40 mpg, and says the light controls make it very pleasant to drive. Not a coincidence, I gave my 2011 Sport 5MT to her husband when I bought a new 2015, and he loves his, too. My 2015 6MT has 17-inch Kosei Racing wheels with 215/45-17 Dunlop Direzza Z2 tires, and it stays with Porsches on twisty roads. I do wish it had more horsepower for passing other vehicles when sport driving. Theres plenty of power for all other types of driving. In fact, its 0-60 of 7.9 seconds is nothing to be ashamed of.

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  Fun and Practical - 2008 Honda Fit
  By wdb - February 18 - 4:03 pm

  I wanted a commuter that was inexpensive to buy and own, good on gas, and had a big hole in the back. The Fit "fit" all of those. To my great surprise it is also a total hoot to drive. Light, quick and nimble, perfect for country roads and city streets. Also holds its own on the highway. Complaints; fairly minor, all to do with driver comfort/convenience. I added an aftermarket dead pedal and home-made drivers door armrest pad. Next is a "Genuine Honda" center console, special order from Japan because they do not offer them here (Japan gets nav and climate control too!) Ill also do map lights. 37+ MPG avg so far, mix of commuting / local jaunts. Hope ScanGauge gets me to 40 :)

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  Small outside, big inside - 2007 Honda Fit
  By itsmalcolm - February 14 - 7:30 pm

  I haul a bunch of stuff around, often a really-large number of articles--had always used a van (Dodge minivan), which was very good for this purpose. Test drove the Fit, the Yaris, the Versa, the Scion xB. My new Fit is, well, perfect for general driving, and on most days, I have plenty of room for hauling stuff, with lots better MPGs than my van. Saving lots of money in gas in this fine little car that has a big, useful interior. Rear seats fold absolutely flat, leaving bunches of room. My first Honda--probably wont be my last.

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  Outstanding economy and utility - 2008 Honda Fit
  By tedguy - February 14 - 2:33 am

  I traded my 04 Accord, as I needed more space and maximum mileage. The Fit hasnt disappointed. I average 36- 37 mpg in open and rush-hour driving. Ive carried lots of cargo, including a 46" TV upright right behind the drivers seat. Seating configurations are great. Its easy and fun to drive, maneuver, and park. The only thing I miss from my Accord (which I loved) is the automatic temperature control.

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  Its a FIT - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Brooke - February 9 - 8:56 pm

  Good car, drives nice and fits anywhere. very convenient. Needs passenger mirror and armrest but other than that has been a good car. I have only had it for 8 months. I have put lots of miles on it and has gotten good gas mileage.

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  Honda Fit for a Queen and the Big Guy - 2008 Honda Fit
  By grandma - January 31 - 8:56 pm

  Inside its a big car, drives like a little car, parks anywhere and is FUN to drive. My 63 husband can finally sit up in my car. Adjustable seat belts mean I dont get choked anymore. Total city driving Im getting 27+ and a 50 50 mix Im getting 33. The dash panel is full of information, easy to set/reset everything with good outside noise insulation (for a small car) and easy to use radio, heater, and ac while driving. Love the idea of extra cargo room and even nap time with the fold down seats. Glad I finally own a Honda! Looking forward to a long life. Ill give it 5 stars overall.

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  The best car I have ever bought. - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Scottoh23 - January 25 - 6:53 am

  I just picked up my new white Fit yesterday after waiting almost 2 months to get. I thought that I was getting a black one, but when the white one came in I totally loved it. Its an exhilarating car to drive and I love its versatility. Its a little slow on the start, but if you have and use the sport model (I have that) you can shift through the gears and you feel with the use of the paddles that your in a raise car. I already cannot wait for an arm rest to come available as an option, because I really miss that from my Jeep and my previous Honda Civic!

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  Fun little car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By matt - January 23 - 3:10 pm

  The Fit is fun to drive. It also has an amazing amount of inside room. Im 62 and fit pretty easy. The engine is small, but I have no trouble hitting 80 on the interstate. Even there the tach is only showing 3,500 rpm. So far Ive been getting almost 40 mpg.

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  Everyday Gocart - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Dave - January 12 - 6:56 am

  I bought the fit as a commuter, It is the most fun car in the economy class. Makes a boring 20 mile commute a little more bearable. Great Interior room, (my truck sits idle now that my fit will carry all but the largest and dirtiest stuff). Decently built for the price and tons of safety features for the kids and myself. Looks like a smaller Matrix, Not a goofy echo or yaris

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  Love the car, but not the MPG - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Maksimka - January 4 - 10:26 pm

  Was looking for a car that will be easy on the wallet and high fun and convenience. This car fits the bill, and overall I am very happy with it. One disappointment is gas mileage, I only get 24MPG in the City instead of the promised 31 and with a 10 gallon tank that means that you have to fill up about every 200 miles.