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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  Shes our "Hissy" Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Lacy - September 8 - 8:26 pm

  Weve had "Hissy" for 3 weeks and shes our favorite little girl. Averaged 43 MPG on her 1st tankful with small town SC driving. Love everything about "Hissy" including the mileage, great little stereo sound for a 4 speaker base, fun to drive 5 speed MT, rock solid handling and feel, all of the safety air bags surrounding both front and back seat occupants, the 10 cup holders (8 in the front, 2 in the back), the voluminous cavern for hauling with the rear seats in the "magic" down mode, and best of all, knowing that Honda has built a fantastic hatchback with big time reliability. Love!

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  Excellent Snow Handling - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Alan - September 2 - 2:03 am

  I have the Fit Sport with navi in manual transmission - it has VSA and ABS. It has excellent handling in the snow. 2 days ago we had snow here in New York, and in our area we had about 6 inches. I decided to try out the ABS system and the VSA system of the car. So I drove on streets that were not yet plowed, particularly on those with some elevation, so the car had to climb. Having manual transmission, I was able to drive slow, (the proper way of driving in snow). I was in full control all the time. Not once did the wheels spin or slide - because the VSA corrected it immediately. I was passing SUVs and minivans in the Palisades Parkway who could not make in elevated inclines.

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  Fitness of Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By AC - August 29 - 4:36 pm

  My Honda Fit drives like a sports car, carries cargo like a small SUV, reduces environmental impact and fuel consumption like a hybrid without the cost and complexity and is build solid and strong (no rattles, no squeeks no leaks). My mpg is averaging 40.7. The only hesitation was the size because I have never owned a car in this size category (subcompact). So far I think I made a good decision.

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  Poor Fuel Economy - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Paul Mc - August 28 - 9:20 pm

  I researched this car for over a year and waited for 2009 Fit Sport. Purchased it mainly for fuel economy, fun to drive and low cost of ownership. After 3300 miles the car has gotten progressively worse mileage as its broken in, not better. I cant see how people achieve such high mileage figures. Great little car in every way but greatly disappointed in fuel mileage.

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  First 1100 miles ! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By SIMON BENTLEY - August 20 - 5:40 pm

  I took delivery of my Honda Fit Sport on September 4th ! The Sport seems to be the only model available in California . I have been driving back and forth to work for two weeks now . I drive down to near sea level from 3300 ft , so down hill one way and up hill the other way . I have driven at either 50 or 55 mph deliberately to see what the best fuel economy could be . You should also realize that I would get better fuel mileage had I driven these speeds on the flat ! I am a professional driver and have performed fuel tests before . I have driven 1122.7 miles which involved 4 fuel top ups . The Fit has used 26.116 us gallons this gives a fuel consumption of 42.99 mpg .

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  New Honda - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Peekie - August 19 - 12:20 pm

  Just bought the car a few weeks ago & love it. Test drove others but found the Fit the best. Both myself (63" tall) & my husband (75") can drive it comfortably. This is the only car where he has inches of head rooms. The seat fold-down ability give it the best trunk space I have ever seen for a small car. Also like the ability to fold down the front seat level with the rear passenger & completely stretch out on long trips. Dont know yet about the mileage & reliability but Honda sells an extended warrenty that seems worth it. It is hard to find one of these as they mostly go to Europe & Japan.

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  My Honda Fit - 2008 Honda Fit
  By rob - August 19 - 3:33 am

  I would definitely recommend this car. Its sporty, got some pep, looks nice because of the standard body kit, and the MPG is awesome. Plus its got the Honda rep behind it. Honda is already affordable overall, but this is the value vehicle for Honda at this time. I am 48 years old and love it. But I would definitely recommend it for a kid going to college and going the normal runarounds.

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  Safer than You Think - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Angcrum - August 17 - 3:03 am

  We bought a new base line Honda Fit several monthes back and absolutely loved the car. Last week my wife was driving home when another car hydroplaned and crossed the median. She hit the side of this car at 60 mph. Our Fit was totaled but my wife walked away with just bruising from the airbag and seatbelt. The other driver had to be cut out of the car and spent several days in the hospital. The front of our Fit was destroyed but the internal integrity of the cabin was never compromised. We have a new Fit on order and would recommend this car to anyone. We primarily use it for cummuting in Denver and were averaging 40 mpg for our base model 5 speed manual transmission.

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  Not Disappointed Yet! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Happy in FLA - July 26 - 1:30 pm

  I got one of the first Fits available in 06 when they were introduced (05/06) and I have put 40,000 happy commuter miles on it so far. The car is tight handling and the paddle shifters option works great as a way to zip around traffic without smashing the gas peddle. Ive had zero maintainence issues. Honda did a good job at building a reliable and sporty Econo box.

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  Surprise! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Bigmark - July 26 - 12:00 am

  We went out looking for a used CR-V, something my son could drive. Well after being disappointed in the used car pricing, I walked past the Fit, and asked how much. Next thing I was driving it around the block, putting it through its paces. Now my wife is driving my Pilot, my son is driving her CR-V, and I am driving the Fit. I am a BIG guy, 350+, and this car is still roomy. Quick to react, and it has more than ample power to go down the highway (at the speed limit). It has none of the bells and whistles of the Pilot, but it is more fun to drive. If you are looking around for a commuter, this is the car for you.