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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  2010 Honda Fit Sport - 2010 Honda Fit
  By srb - August 26 - 1:37 pm

  I purchased a 2010 Fit Sport with automatic. Very reliable auto. Great gas mileage (37 MPG). Acceleration not very good but not terrible. Engine tries hard but it is only a 117 HP auto. Holds the road well at 75 MPH. Drivers seat needs more support for comfort. Interior very good and I like the way the back seats fold completely flat.

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  Honda Fit Not yet convinced. - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Tblue32 - August 12 - 2:23 pm

  Thus Far we had to return it to the Dealership for front end vibration. Also Ive noticed the paint on exterior scratches easily. My front spoiler Paint is cracking and peeling at the Lip. The Seats really make my hip hurt with trips over an hour. Engine is great I really appreciate it spunky. But the shift points are really annoying it feels like it hesitates when shifting at randoms times. Not smooth. I used Chevron or Shell Gas I"m only getting about 367 Miles per gallon. Not quite what Honda says. Not sure I drive pretty conservative and mostly Fwy miles. Also very odd when braking down hill the tans will downshift abruptly as I read I understand its part of the design.

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  Great purchasing experience - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Bob Simonds - August 6 - 11:52 am

  As for the Honda Fit now that I have it its great I travel about 160 miles a day and have filed up twice since picking up my car I am averaging 33.7 MPG. The Fit is fun to drive and I expect having the car for a long time.

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  Poor Mpg - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Joan - July 30 - 6:13 pm

  I dont know what I am doing wrong but I cannot get more than 24-25 mpg no matter how I drive. This is frustrating. Otherwise love the way it drives, especially holds the road. I appreciate the lumbar support on drivers seat.

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  Good cheap car - 2010 Honda Fit
  By dhjohnso - July 19 - 12:31 pm

  I wanted a reliable 2nd car for low cost. I was willing to sacrifice "luxury" for lower cost. The FIT fills the bill.

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  The Cheapest BMW - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Beachmatt - July 6 - 8:55 pm

  I bought this car after an accident totaled my 2000 VW passat. The passat was smooth, powerful and handled well. It was very comfortable, but got lousy mileage on premium, and turned out to be very expensive to own. My 60,000 service cost over $800. My new little car is a BMW in disguise! It handles so well, and is actually quite sporty, even with the extremely small engine and automatic. It has shift paddles like a Ferrari, and when you get used to it, and use the transmission well, it keeps up with anything driving in legal range. Plus, the faster I drive, the better the mpg. I get about 29 in the city, over 35 on the highway at 75.2 yr costs have been only $280. Oil change every 10k!

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  Bad Driver Seat Ergonomics - 2007 Honda Fit
  By k morash - June 30 - 3:03 pm

  I love the fit, but I cant keep it. The gas pedal is 5" off the floor and this keeps my foot almost perpendicular no matter what position I put the seat in, at the end of 30 mins I have leg cramps and heel pain. My husband is 6 and there is not enough leg room for him as the center console is too close to the gas pedal to be comfortable. The amount of time a dealer offers to test drive, it would be almost impossible to discover the bad gas pedal placement, this has developed over months of commuting. I spoke to Honda and this has not been changed in any current models, so I have to trade for something other then a Fit and maybe something other then a Honda. Too bad.

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  In market for economy hatchback - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Gene - June 28 - 10:13 am

  After renting one for a long trip I was very interested in purchasing this vehicle. HOWEVER, I am still amazed that a 2010 vehicle does not come with KEYLESS ENTRY. For this reason alone I have eliminated the Honda Fit from my list and it is very unfortunate. The interior cabin with full folding rear seats is very unique.

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  Rent one first for a good test drive. - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Erik - June 9 - 9:16 pm

  Had this car for 11 months and traded it in for a civic,more seat space and better mpg and still fun to drive. My complain is that the car could use some more power and lesser rpm at cruise speed, a 6 gear would be nice and better for overall mpg. Im 62 and the seat cant go far enough back to get comfortable. Ok the versatile seats are handy but therefor we still have a Mazda5 who drives very good! Maybe the hybrid version will get some more owners with at least 50 mpg, get 42 average with my civic coupe, with use of ac in summer.would be nice if you can rent one for a day and make a good test drive instead of around the car lot, saves you a lot of headache and money.

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  Bad decisions - 2010 Honda Fit
  By csedd - May 13 - 9:57 pm

  I bought this car just 1 week ago and am instantly regretting it. It is the loudest car I have ever owned. It gives me headaches with the constant drone of the engine and road noise. I have owned a VW diesel in the past, so this is saying something. It is fun to drive and practical, but the seats are uncomfortable, the materials inside are cheap. DO yourself a favor and pass on this car. I will be selling mine this week.