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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  Bought several months ago - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Diane - May 13 - 2:42 pm

  with 2000 miles on it. Have driven for 4000 miles. Very bumpy plastic interior easy to scratch good room in the back. Big complaint is that the floor on the drivers side is cheap plastic and the rug keeps running up into the gas pedal! Put down heavier mat but doesnt help. Feel I need to merge into freeway traffic very carefully because of lack of power. OK gas mileage but the reader lies for sure. Our Matrix does as well or better and its a larger car with a better engine. Thinking about trading it in--big disappointment.

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  Paint Quality - 2010 Honda Fit
  By george clifford - May 10 - 5:39 pm

  The Honda Fit is a clever and useful car. This is my 6th Honda in 30 years. Like many of its kin, the Fit is easily dinged up in parking lots , so I ordered the side molding. Any contact with the bumpers is pulling off the Silver paint. Ive had 3 small spots rubbed bare to the black plastic by a carelessly opened door, a rubbing parking car tire and a leaning garden tool touching the bumpers. Its only 4 months old. This cant be normal. Painted bumpers are stupid anyways but this paint is too soft ! (Or not sticking) And there is a huge area of plastic surrounding this car.

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  Nice Car - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Mide - May 10 - 12:36 pm

  If you want a 34 MPG Mixed driving car that has a ton of storage room then this car is for you. Low insurance, Great exterior styling, nice 5-gear auto. You are trading off a bunch of interior features like the steering wheel audio controls and overall interior quality. Also the tires on the 16" rim are very unusual so finding replacements = not a fun time with no enough options. I like the car for what it is. A to B daily commuter but as a real "car" that you should be proud of, it is definitely not.

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  Love it all except - 2007 Honda Fit
  By SJD - April 23 - 10:28 am

  The drivers front seat can be a bit harsh on long trips. I am over 6 Ft tall and it takes some getting used to the lack of comfort. Buy a K&N Drop In Filter, I drive 90% highway and got a TRUE 42 MPG on my last tank doing 70 MPH. Buy an armrest on ebay ($50 bucks), best investment in the world for this car. Everything else is great as far as driving, was skeptical based on reviews here but I have seen none of the problems others have posted. MINOR DISLIKES: Taching 3500+ RPM at 70 MPH, Drivers seat needs to go back farther, not enough interior lighting, seats attract every piece of fuzz. See, I said they were minor.

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  For the right Fit, Go for the Sport - 2010 Honda Fit
  By cmj912 - April 23 - 9:18 am

  If I could do it all over again, and I may, Id probably go for the Sport model. Features like the keyless entry (which I bought afterward and got installed) the USB iPod interface, and the nicer upholstery are things I regret not having. Drivingwise, it is a competent city car with great mileage, the interior is handy and flexible, and it is extremely nimble with light handling and it is easy to park. On the highway, though, be forewarned that the engine is quite weak with the automatic and the engine loud and thrashes under load - but pushing it doesnt make it go any faster. That said, itll be cheap to own and is reliable. But if you want cheap and reliable AND fun, go for the Sport.

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  Disappointed - 2009 Honda Fit
  By peter c - April 17 - 10:16 am

  First Honda I have owned and am I disappointed. The ride is unacceptable in the northeast in the winter, you cannot even drink a coffee, not that there is good cup holder to put it in. The car wanders all over the freeway, it needs constant correction. It feels like the wind is blowing the car around when there is none. The headlights flicker randomly. The throttle raises just a little bit as you come to a stop. I am always stomping on the brake.The light indicator is behind the steering wheel.There is an annoying rattle in the dashboard in front of the steering wheel which goes away with the heater on. I have 3 tires leaking 6 to 10 lbs of air a month.I never noticed these on the demo model.

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  Internal Door Rust - Door Lock Failures - 2007 Honda Fit
  By JES_MA - April 9 - 3:45 pm

  I have garaged my FIT nightly and weekends in Massachusetts. My drivers side rear door after locking would not open with key, door pull, outside handle, or inside handle. With 35,000 miles and 37 months of ownership cost me $465 to have door forced open and entire lock / motor mechanism replaced due to severe rusting on mechanism. Makes me wonder if recalls for SRS Air bag failure due to water and the more recent drivers door electrical switches for water shorting indicate if there are leaks in the doors. Now concerned other 3 doors will need lock replacements. Has anyone else had the lock failures on their Fit? If yes check or ask about server rusting as a cause.

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  Honda quality? - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Disappointed - March 23 - 10:45 pm

  Now that I have had the car for almost 2 years, I feel qualified to comment on it. The build quality is not what I would have expected from Honda. This is my first and likely last Honda due to the many silly little problems it has. CONS: 1) The clutch started chattering within 15K miles 2) There dash has rattles 3) The coolant is going somewhere unknown and requires refills every few weeks (no leaks to be found) 4) The shifter is notchy. It was not that way new. Sometimes hard to engage gear 5) The brakes make odd popping noises when first used after sitting all day or overnight PROS 1) Fuel economy is excellent (32 city) 2) Peppy for an economy car 3) Quick handling

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  My fit at 18 months - 2009 Honda Fit
  By colofarmgirl - March 21 - 12:12 pm

  I love my Fit. I dont know why the mileage is listed at 29 mpg. I get 40 mpg, although a lot of my driving is on the highway. I was really surprised at the acceleration, given the mileage. It has great cargo options. The interior is holding up well given that I always have a couple of dogs with me. The only drawback to the Fit is that it gets blown around in high winds. I wish it had cruise control, other than that I am really pleased with my decision to buy the Fit.

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  Buyers remorse - 2010 Honda Fit
  By pnarus - March 20 - 6:43 pm

  Just picked the car up a few hours ago. The voice activation for the navigation doesnt work and there is a rattling in the front console. Will give the service dept a chance to prove itself. Dont like that I cannot push a button to lift the hatch up have to do it manually. Is a bit difficult to get out of car and I am small