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:

• 

  Just a fun Honda to drive - 2007 Honda Fit
  By jazzman - January 2 - 7:30 pm

  Took delivery on 8/29 and have about 150miles on it already. traded in 2000 accord EX, with some dickering got price with tradein to under $10k. This is a fun car to drive, a/c worked excellent in our heat wave, pick up is excellent, visibility excellent. as with other Hondas, came loaded with everything I needed. Keyless entry is a dealer installed option which I dont need. Since I just got the Fit, hoping the Honda relability is there. Buy one

• 

  Great car, AVERAGE gas mileage - 2007 Honda Fit
  By FL410 - January 2 - 12:56 am

  Nice car that has lots of room for a small car. Rear seats fold both up AND down - neat feature. Excellent ride for a small car. Reasonably quiet, too. Pick up from zero to 30 mph is good, 30 to 60 mph is fair. I bought a base model. The sport model is a much better buy - $1,300 for cruise control, alloy wheels, alarm, remote door locks, fog lights, premium stereo, bigger tires. I dont like the "skirt" trim on the Sport model though.

• 

  I Heart The Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Zogar - January 1 - 12:23 am

  This car is great. Handles well, easy to park, fun to drive! Getting 39 mph highway.

• 

  SIMPLY THE BEST - 2007 Honda Fit
  By BIG BILL - December 31 - 8:00 pm

  I am a domestic car salesman. I drive a Fit! This car is an absolute hoot! Tons of room (I am a 250 lb man), very nimble, very versatile. If I sold them I would be wealthy! Problem being, Honda cannot build enough. I love this thing and plan to keep it a good long time!

• 

  Ive been had. - 2008 Honda Fit
  By damian-fonseca - December 28 - 7:43 am

  The mpg is far lower then what is been advertised the AC is a definite problem. 250 miles on its 10.8 gallon tank, this is the real deal. Im not surprised it only lasted 2 years with a new remake now in 2009. Heads up dont believe the hype.

• 

  Practical and fun to drive - 2009 Honda Fit
  By DesmondVT - December 12 - 5:50 pm

  The Honda Fit offers the utility of a mini-van, the efficiency of a subcompact, and the go-cart handling of a Mini Cooper, all in a single package. Make no mistake, compromises abound in the Fit--from its tendency to sway in a crosswind to the buzzing engine to the terrible seat fabric. But the Fit does something few cars can manage--it is both eminently practical and absolutely fun to drive. The 5-speed manual shifts smoothly and the little 1.5L engine is both willing and responsive. Handling is nimble, and the tight suspension gives you the sense that you are carving turns on the asphalt. A fantastic value.

• 

  Excellent - 2008 Honda Fit
  By ken - December 6 - 11:23 pm

  Excellent, good handling good audio, easy to drive, excellent on gas, very roomy, fun to drive.

• 

  An Excellent Kid Hauler - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Jpsandiego - November 28 - 6:26 am

  I am coming up on one full year of driving, and I have changed my mind on this vehicle several times. Its lack of power, height and weak a/c (for me) are my only complaints. On the flip side I get great highway miles (44mpg coming back from LA) 32-35mpg combined, smooth conservative performance (tight and quick when I need it to be), tons of space inside, more than enough room for two car seats a double stroller and a trip to COSTCO, I love the way the steering wheel feels (even more than our 135i conv.), paddle shifters are fun, and the 10 cup holders are 100% used and appreciated.

• 

  Fun and useful vehicle - 2009 Honda Fit
  By ReneeSarah - November 11 - 12:10 am

  I have had my Honda Fit for a month and am still glad I got it. The Fit has good crash test results, good mileage and configurable space inside. I have went to IKEA and not worried about how I was going to get stuff in the car, put a fully assembled swivel desk chair in the back that I bought from Staples, etc. The interior finishing seems kind of cheap looking even compared to the Honda Insight. The front seat headrests do not adjust in a way that will ever be comfortable and the seats are kind of hard. There is good visibility- especially out the front window- where the expansive view is absolutely luxurious. While I got the "Sport" model, there is absolutely nothing sporty here.

• 

  Dont Fall for the Music Link! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By BellaB929 - November 6 - 5:00 am

  Its a great car and a lot of fun to drive. However, I have a major problem with how Honda has marketing their Ipod Music Link. It leads you to believe that you can scroll through your music with ease from the audio controls. It does not offer a display, instead there is a horribly annoying electronic voice that seldom works. I should have left well enough alone with the AV jack and not added this expensive and worthless feature. Save your money, dont buy it!