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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  Good value - 2007 Honda Fit
  By dan dierdorf - August 28 - 9:13 am

  With summer gas prices looming, I was looking for a vehicle that got good mileage yet was still fun to drive. The Honda Fit "fit" my needs better than the competition. I really love the exterior styling. I get about 34 mpg combined city/hwy. It handles great and sticks to the road well. Safety features are second to none. The bad thing about the car is it isnt too comfortable for long drives. No armrest and gas pedal position cramps my foot. Road noise is more than expected on the highway and you have to floor it to accelerate uphill.

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  Fit Right - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Brian - August 25 - 8:50 am

  Nice handling, and quick performance makeit fun to drive. I have the brilliant orange color, and 2 people at work don,t like the color. But the other 682 people at work like it. It,s a smart car I,ve been told, with you look good in it! And Im 46 years old. The Fit rides mutch better then the Matrix in my test ride. The fold up rear seat has come in handy also. I also like the up graded radio, it puts out a plesent quality sound at a loud volume sound level. To improve this car would be hard to do, unless you were talking about the flour mats, There a little small.

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  The Fit is Awesome - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Chad - August 24 - 7:33 pm

  I just bought a Fit in April. It is not only the best small car Ive every owned. Its the best car Ive ever owned. The interior is roomy and does not fill like you are in a sub compact vehicle. The performance that Honda gets out of its 1.5 liter engine is amazing. I can also haul things in this vehicle that I had trouble hauling in my Chevy Impala. Thank You Honda for a great vehicle.

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  Fell in love with the Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By FES - August 23 - 1:40 am

  Just bought my Honda Fit Sport-it was love at first sight. Great car, Honda has at least a 9+, in this one. Interstate driving is a breeze, When I started looking I was gong to check out the Toyota Yaris, but stopped by the Honda dealer first, and that is as far as I got. It rides great, is sporty looking, and has great fuel mileage and its not even broke in yet.

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  Best Car We Could Have Bought - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Don - August 14 - 9:23 pm

  We needed a good commuter car that was reasonably priced and good gas mileage. After reading all the reviews I could find, it became apparent the Fit was the way to go. We were sold on it at as soon as we test drove one. In our area it was hard to find the Sport with the manual transmission. We love this car, it is amazing how such a small car can fit 4 large people fairly comfortably. For the price it is the best deal out there.

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  Loving It!!! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Fit4Mom - August 11 - 5:13 am

  I have the 5 speed manual sport. The car handles well with ample power and agility. Really fun to drive. This car design is extremely well out. The use of interior space is amazing! Plenty of passenger room, ample storage, 5 cup holders. Great stereo system. Climate control. Great gas mileage. Very versatile cargo space.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2007 Honda Fit
  By !!! I like My Fit !! - August 5 - 1:16 pm

  This car is the first new car me and my wife have ever had. The thing that sold us on it was the interior size and fuel economy, but as we drive it everything else started to blend right in. The way the car rides - the power of its Vtec engine - the look of the dash board lights at night - The looks we get. Overall this is the best car we ever owned.

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  Better than ever! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Stephanie - August 5 - 4:43 am

  I bought an 07 Fit which I loved. After visiting the dealership for an oil change I saw the 09 and had to drive it. I dont know how, but Honda, once again has proven it can make the best even better. I bought the 09 with navigation and love it. Now I own two Fits. After years of being a Chevy driver and switching to these Hondas I will say I dont miss having my car in the shop every other month; and to top it off, Honda actually honors their product warranties unlike Chevy. I guess thats why some are making it in this economy and others arent.

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  Good value - 2017 Honda Fit
  By NT - July 26 - 3:51 pm

  This vehicle meets my needs and falls in my budget level.

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  I LOVE my Fit! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Carolyn Smith - July 24 - 7:53 am

  Ive been driving my AT Base Fit for three months now and couldnt be happier with it. I love everything about it. Just drove 300 miles on a highway at 75 mph and got 40.4 mpg. The Fit is a really great car!