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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  First Ride Impression - 2008 Honda Fit
  By basanch73 - August 4 - 3:43 pm

  The 5 spd MT Sport has more than enough get up and go with the 100+ horse at under 2500 lbs. Great handling, but at a cost of firm ride. Of course, firmness lends itself to the noisy buzz at hwy speeds, but easily tolerable when taking the Avg 31 mpg on first tank into effect. And thats before engine break-in. Cant wait to see the MPG #s with a KN typhoon system that adds +5hp at the 5-10K mile mark. Obviously, parking space is no longer an issue anywhere.

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  Love this car - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Dennis Money - August 3 - 7:41 pm

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  A Good Decision - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Nancy - July 26 - 1:26 am

  After a lot of research and thought, I traded in my 2005 Subaru Baja for a leaner gas minded Honda Fit. The interior is actually roomier and the ride is just as smooth. The noise factor, however, is a disappointment in that the Fit has a loud engine and is not as quiet in terms of outside noise. I love the paddle shifters on my sport model, as well as the rear wiper, fantastic stereo system, easy to use and reach controls, bright dash lights and open window plan allowing lots of light. The controls are solid and feel expensive. No problems with acceleration or high speed. So far, it has handled well in the snow and rain, which was a big concern for me living in Upstate NY and giving up the AWD.

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  Update - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Warren - July 20 - 12:03 am

  We purchased our base fit in February and at first the mpg were okay (about 30 mpg). As we became familiar with the car and became diligent in watching the mileage bar and adjusting our style of driving we steadily over time increased our mpg. Last fill-up we got 36.5 mpg comb. city/highway. This car is like a hybrid without batteries. It is unbelievable. The only problem I see is that the mpg bar should be used only as a guide. When we got 36.5 the mpg bar said we were getting 40 mpg. On this tankful it is registering 42 mpg on the mpg bar. So were probably getting 38-39 mpg comb. This car really should get a tax credit like hybrids it is that good. We have put on 2,300 mi.

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  My Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Juan - July 9 - 4:23 pm

  I waited 2 months to get this car and it was well worth the wait.

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  A l - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Wendy Adams - June 26 - 12:58 am

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  ...for the ride to work - 2007 Honda Fit
  By janet - June 18 - 5:30 am

  so far I have been very happy with my choice. (it was a hard one) There are a lot of this type of car out there but with Hondas rep I thought how could I go wrong. The only prob so far is when the car is fully loaded it only got 32 mpg instead of 35. I really did not need anymore car than this just to drive my 30 miles to work and back. and an occasional trip with friends.

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  Very Happy So Far - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Tigercat - June 4 - 3:56 am

  Im a tall guy (66") who was looking for lots of leg and head room along with good fuel economy, and without spending lots of money. The Fit really fits! The legroom is fine, and the headroom is amazing (over 2"). Ive filled the tank twice now, and got over 37 MPG each time--excellent for a car thats not even broken in yet. Acceleration isnt bad for such a small engine, and I can climb most grades at 55 MPH without downshifting out of 5th. All the useful options (cruise, power, side airbags) come standard on the Sport Fit. I like to drive my cars into the ground (10+yrs typ) so I dont miss the expensive-to-fix Lexus-type stuff at all. My impression is the Fit will go the distance.

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  More Can Cost Less - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Archidive - May 30 - 10:53 pm

  Well overall I am VERY happy with this car. Last 5 vehicles were 2 Dodge Shelbys, 2 SUVs, and lastly my Acura RSX and I can say that the FIT offers something that I loved in each of those vehicles. I commute about 30 minutes one way in mixed driving in upstate NY. Only getting about 27 MPG which Im a bit disappointed with since my RSX gave me 31 MPG right up until the day I traded it in at 108,000 miles. However, it has been very cold and snowy here and I have been using the heat/fan more than I normally would, so I am hoping my ave. MPG over a year will jump up quite a bit. I am hoping I just dont have the 1 Sport AT FIT that likes to eat gas as much as it does people and cargo.

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  Practical yet fun - 2007 Honda Fit
  By KS - May 24 - 4:16 pm

  Very sensible vehicle. Stick shift is very accurate (my reference is Mazda3 2.3L 5-sp), and well mated to the engine, which has suprisingly enough torque to accelerate without frequent downshifting. Dash is well-laid, everything visible and within reach. Seating position is too low w/o height control, and that does not let the driver take advantage of the large windshield and short hood: visibility forward could be better. Cargo space and configurability is excellent, would be outstanding even for a much larger car. Nice rims, and right size tires for the car size and weight. Everything about this micro-van says "practicality", yet it is fun to drive, too