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:

• 

  Little surprise - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Happy owner - July 24 - 9:06 am

  I was shopping for an economical car that would be small enough to park but large enough to hold saddles, horse equipment, an occasional hay bale, and the mastiff. The Fit is it! My elderly mastiff can get in either through the hatchback or the door, I can loan and unload the cargo area, and its zippy to drive. Looks a little strange, but the inside use of space is astonishing. Im old enough that the safety features appeal to me, and I like the visibility.

• 

  Worth Every Penny - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Hal - July 9 - 3:46 pm

  Exceeded my expectations. Its fun to drive. Interior is very quiet and feels soo much larger than exterior dimensions. Interior is also very flexible creating a large space with great height. Im 62" and have tons of room (except for right foot). Now I keep my Crew Cab at home and love running around in this. My kids have plenty of room too. Stereo is great. Build quality seems exceptional. could easily make this your only car. So far averaging 31.6 mpg in all city / errand driving...exceeding my expectations.

• 

  Low Mileage - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Joan - July 9 - 2:00 am

  The sport model with the larger wheels is so low you will hit concrete parking slabs and curbs. Since the front end slopes down, it is impossible to see or judge just where the front end is. Also I am getting much lower mileage-averaging 27 mpg if I coast a lot and never tromp on gas pedal and I use A/C at all times. The car is very nice looking with an exceptional interior and comfortable seats. The paint is very shiny but seems to scratch very easy or I didnt see the scratches when I bought it because it was sunny and car shiny. I wait to hit a pot hole or speed bump too fast and take off the sport attachment to the front bumper. Other than the above I really like the car and interior room.

• 

  I have a Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By MIke - July 8 - 10:36 am

  Love it. The fit. Only down part was long drives on Interstate. This is not a highway car. City traffic, parking, driving the kid to school. I can fit skis in back. Good traction.

• 

  I love my Fit! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Anita - July 5 - 1:23 pm

  This car is just everything I wanted in a vehicle--a mini SUV-type that is practical yet fun to drive. It is unimaginably responsive. I was surprised that on the open interstate I easily took it over 90mph and not once did it feel out of control or blown about by larger trucks. In fact, just about anything is larger than the Fit, but you dont feel that way inside. I sit up so high that I feel that I am in a big vehicle and have to stop myself from taking on a Hummer! It is the tiny little thing with a big bad attitude.

• 

  Better than expected - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Brett - July 3 - 1:06 pm

  This car is terrific. We just took our first road trip and packed the vehicle to the gills. Two road bikes in the "magic seat area", two large suit cases, a small one, a box of food, laptops, hanging clothes, and more in the rear. The car was very comfortable up front for my wife and I and got just under 40 mpg during the highway drive. Obviously some of this wouldnt be possible if we had kids, but this is all the car a couple could need in every respect.

• 

  Most Versatile Car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Nick - July 1 - 12:50 pm

  I love the Fit. It is fun to drive, gets great gas mileage, is very stylish and is the most versatile vehicle in its class by far. Having the side curtain airbags standard is another added bonus. I have no major issues with this car and with Honda quality hope to drive it for 200k miles.

• 

  Whats not to like? - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Carol - June 20 - 7:06 am

  I have been driving my new Fit for over one week and am thrilled with it! I also own a Civic and an Accord and I love my little Fit. It may appear "little" on the outside but the inside is huge. It handles and rides to perfection. Its a high quality vehicle and the gas economy meets and exceeds all expectations. I love the arm rest on the driver side and flexible cargo space in the back. Its got plenty of pick-up and the dashboard gauges and controls are very conveniently located. The 6 speaker Radio has great sound. Honda had a winner with the 2008 model and now they made it even better. Whats not to like?

• 

  Preliminary review - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Drud Report - June 19 - 7:46 pm

  I will add more to this review later, but my initial impressions are very good. I dont have a long commute or drive a lot as other Fit consumers do, but I still got this because I know Hondas are reliable, I like the new Fits design and performance specs compared to the older versions and I wanted to be environmentally conscious. I sold my 2001 Jeep Cherokee and am glad to finally be past the SUV phase of my life. Getting used to the 4 cylinders will be interesting, because the Fit just doesnt have a lot of power. But its so low and aerodynamic that it still zips around and is fun to drive. So far I love the Fit. I think its a great value for the money in this economy.

• 

  The Delightful Honda Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By OrangeBlossom - June 16 - 3:20 pm

  An ideal city car. Excellent handling, brakes with adequate acceleration. Plenty of headroom and easy access via the four doors. Lots of interesting features for a low priced car. Adjustable steering wheel, display that shows when service is required and the efficiency of the oil and filter. Nice ergonomics and simple controls. Easy to use cruise control for long trips on Interstates.