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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  Fit to Impress - 2011 Honda Fit
  By arbolero - January 20 - 7:48 pm

  I have only used half a tank, but I am eager to share my first impression of the car. Ill start with the bad. Sport, implying some relativity to a sports car, is not an accurate description. Yes, its nimble, eagerly reving, and fun to drive, but it lacks proper acceleration, maneuverability, or pedigree to be a member of this class. The Fits enormously practical design would make it the odd-car-out if it shared some tile in the showroom of sport thoroughbreds. But I didnt need another car with senseless horsepower and "member" compensating qualities. This time, I was in the market for sensible. Plus, Honda was wise enough to forego a Sport badge on the rear gate, so, we can let it be

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  Good reliable commuting car - 2012 Honda Fit
  By truthful4 - December 29 - 9:49 pm

  I bought this car new and have driven it 1900 miles . The gas mileage is great! I have got up to 42 mpg on a good hwy. The average mpg in and out of town is 32. The car has an excellent audio system.The drive is comfortable for a small car. The noise level is not much different than any other small economical car . I am impressed with the fold down back seats for storage. I miss the middle arm console between the two front seats. I also noticed the cars acceleration is somewhat sluggish and loud going up hills and inclines. I miss an outside temp. gauge and would like to see an a.c. outlet added . Word of warning ..Four large adults is pushing it. So far a good little car

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  37.2 mpg!!! - 2012 Honda Fit
  By crappycorolla - November 22 - 7:29 pm

  I had read they got great gas mileage and they do! It doesnt feel as small as it looks. Its fairly comfortable, but crowded with 5 people in it. It doesnt have a lot of power for fast excelleration. The stereo is nice, I like that some stations say what song is on on this radio. I wish there was an outsie temperature gauge. I couldnt have got into a dependable car for less. I had been trying to decide between a Kia and Fit and heard at work someones Kia stopped running the first week! There is more room behind the back seats than you would think, we put 250 of food and 50lbs dog food.The brakes work better than any car Ive owned. Visability is amazing!

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  the Fit is It - 2011 Honda Fit
  By dan_patterson - October 23 - 9:57 am

  I bought a 2011 Fit, base automatic, for commuter duty. I wanted Honda quality in a practical, non-flashy, and inexpensive package, and the Fit is exactly that. I could wish for more comfortable seats, a couple more inches of footroom, and a center console, but the list of standard features is quite long already. I like the fact that its tall enough that I dont bang my head on the door frame when getting in and out. It can hold a lot of stuff and is still small enough to be easy to park. Certainly it doesnt have a lot of power and it doesnt have unusually good handling- but it is unsurpassed at collecting groceries. 9k miles so far and no problems.

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  fan of the Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By jtimotheus - August 20 - 5:30 pm

  My wife researched vehicles for two years before trading in her 01 Durango for the Fit Sport, and likes it better than any car shes had. Fuel economy is great-avg. 36 btw. TX and Vegas, driving 80-85. Rides fine, walks a bit. Better in town than hwy, only complaint-hard to get blonde hair out of upholstery. Took it camping, and were able to fit all our gear in it. Fun to drive, but Ive had to fix the front panel several times because she keeps backing over the curb on her way out of the driveway. Wish it had true intermittent wipers, but great sound system.

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  2011 Honda Fit - excellent for the appropriate mission - 2011 Honda Fit
  By bobg57 - August 10 - 6:14 pm

  Love it. Great long distance commuter. Rear seats fold upwards or store in the floor creating enormous amount of space. Air conditioner OK, certainly up to 95 degrees outside temp. I passed through Needles when it was 109, comfortable enough. No electrical problems. Coming up on 10,000 miles with 30% oil life left. Trust the engineers, not your SuperLube down the street. Gas mileage is fantastic, without air conditioning I drove 457 miles on one tank at 42.9 MPG at 65MPH on mountainous roads. More usual fuel average is 35. Dont buy this vehicle as a street racer, why people get this thing with a paddle shifter is beyond me and a total waste of money. Note: I drive by myself 95% of the time.

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  air conditioning problems? - 2011 Honda Fit
  By jerdude73 - June 21 - 1:08 pm

  is it me or is mine the only one that the air conditioner compressor goes on and off while the a/c is on. you notice a huge difference in the temperature. the dealer said that this is normal after checking out my car. they tried getting the moisture out of the unit but it still does this. is this normal? and gas mileage is actually running about 28mpg combined. not as good as i expected

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  Fits everything, parks anywhere, best price - 2010 Honda Fit
  By karen310 - June 14 - 3:59 pm

  I purchased the Fit after my beloved Jeep Wrangler developed Death Wobble and I sunk over $1000 into repairs that did not work. I needed something practical, for a change, but I hated giving up the incredible fun of a Jeep. Ten months later I have no regrets at all. We have a blue model that we call the TARDIS because it really is impossibly larger inside than outside. My 3 children and 6 tall husband all fit comfortably, although I havent tried to put 3 adults in the back. Mileage with mostly big city driving is consistently 30 MPG, and on a mostly highway trip was 48 MPG.

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  Great Car but somethings are missing - 2011 Honda Fit
  By mrwilliematt - June 6 - 5:23 pm

  I bought this car as a commuter but find that I drive it most of the time now. My other car is a 2008 Tundra. This car gets better MPG than they promissed I have gotten above 40 mpg on a tank of gas with 90% highway driving. I like the cars gokart like handling and the acceleration decent if you really wind it up. Other reviewer have mentioned the noise and it is certainly true that there is plenty but it doesnt bother me to much coming from a full size truck. the car can also be a bit rough on bumps when encountering potholes but I think that is the rpice of the excellent hadling. I am 63" and 300 lbs but have no trouble with interior room.

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  simple, and wonderful because of it - 2010 Honda Fit
  By eldaino2 - May 7 - 7:00 pm

  I had a 2007 and traded it to buy a 2009 GTi. The Gti was reliable and a very fun car to own . But its achilles heel was ultimately its high cost to maintain, and the GTi was good at emptying my wallet. Premium was all it was ever fed, and with gas the way it is, 60 dollar tanks were regular. i picked this up for a great price (brand new, in 2011) and it has proven to be a far improved car than its predecessor. I was afraid of loosing my Gtis highspeed stability, and overall feeling of solidity, but the fit, given the difference in weight and how tall it is, makes a good case for itself. it may be slower, but its tossability makes it more fun to drive. And now my wallet is more full :)