The Honda Fit was sold in the U.S. for 14 years. We compare all model years to suggest the best option for you.
The Honda Fit has been around since 2007 and continues to rack up countless accolades from the automotive and consumer press. In 2019, the Fit helped Honda get recognized as the “Best Value in America” in the passenger car category by automotive analysis firm Vincentric.
Together with the overall passenger car award, the 2019 Honda Fit won in the subcompact hatchback category. Winners of the Vincentric awards are determined by a cost of ownership analysis that factors depreciation, fuel, and maintenance costs plus other factors.
Also in 2019, the Honda lineup was projected to retain its value over time the strongest after three years of ownership compared to any mainstream auto brand, according to J.D. Power’s ALG Automotive Insights, which forecasts new vehicle depreciation.
In addition to Honda’s recognition as the “Best Overall Mainstream Brand,” the Honda Accord, Fit, Odyssey, and Pilot returned to ALG’s list of Residual Value Awards, as these models led the pack within their segments.
Despite the Fit hatchback’s many awards, Honda announced in 2020 that the model was being discontinued in America. The 2020 Honda Fit said goodbye while still continuing to offer decent fuel efficiency and innovative design features, such as the fuel tank mounted underneath the front-row seats, which gave the 2020 Fit extra cargo capacity, boasting a class-leading 52.7 cu. ft. of space with the rear seats folded down.
Standard features on all the more recent Fit models included rearview camera, liftgate spoiler, auto on-off headlights, LED taillights, Bluetooth, and a multi-function center console. Thus, the award-winning Honda Fit is a great option for car buyers looking for a reliable pre-owned hatchback.
Considering buying a used Honda Fit but concerned about where to start? There are a few things you should know about what has been the smallest vehicle offered from Honda for over a decade.
Honda Fit: First Generation (2007-2008)
Introduced in the American market for the 2007 model year, the Honda Fit was slated to take the place of the Civic hatchback as the small hatch in the U.S. market.
Going up against competitors like the now-defunct Dodge Caliber, Suzuki Reno, and Toyota Yaris, as well as the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio5, and Nissan Versa, the 2007 Honda Fit was a strong competitor amongst its class of sub-compact hatchbacks. These vehicles were at their prominence in recent years thanks to fuel prices rising to over $3/gallon in the mid- to late 2000’s.
Specifications of the first-generation Fit are a 1.5L VTEC four-cylinder engine producing 109 horsepower and 105 lb.-ft. of torque. Both manual and automatic transmissions were available, and the EPA rated them for 33 mpg city and 38 mpg highway with the manual transmission.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the Fit was not its engine or fuel economy, but the interesting ways the interior could be configured for such a small vehicle.
The miniature size may fool buyers on the outside as the interior can swallow up to 42 cu. ft. of gear with the back seats folded into “Utility Mode.” Furthermore, the front seats could be reclined into what Honda dubbed “Refresh Mode,” a nearly flat surface for a quick power nap in the parking lot.
Taking first place in a Car and Driver comparison test its first year on the market against six of its main competitors is certainly a way to make an entrance into a new market, as this generation of Honda Fit had been sold overseas since 2001 as the Honda Jazz, primarily.
Deciding that small cars should not be “penalty boxes,” Car and Driver editors noted that the highpoints of the 2007 Honda Fit were its “classy interior, sporty handling, and being quick-witted in all its moves.” In fact, they called it the go-kart of economobiles, high praise from a bunch of auto enthusiast journalists.
The praise did not stop there, Car and Driver named the Fit to its “10 Best” list a total of six years: 2007-2012. Vehicles that are new, significantly upgraded, or a previous year’s winner are eligible for this award. The first generation also received the NHTSA’s top five-star Safety rating.
The first generation did not last long, as the platform has existed worldwide since 2001, meaning 2007 and 2008 were the only model years for the short-lived first model.
Honda Fit: Second Generation (2009-2014)
The second-generation Honda Fit was focused on one thing: refinement. Already a sound competitor amongst its peers, the new 2009 model did it all better than before. Growing in nearly all dimensions, it was also roomier than before.
Cargo space jumped from the previous generation’s 42 cu. ft. to an impressive 57.3 cu. ft. in the new model.
Continuing the theme of refinement, overall vehicle stiffness and ride quality were improved over the outgoing model. The new Fit maintained its go-kart-like reflexes to go with the new sleeker and sportier styling. Interior appointments were improved as well, replacing a car that had been eight model years globally, the upgraded interiors were welcomed by buyers for the 2009 model year.
New features like dual gloveboxes, USB inputs, and more outward visibility made the new Fit a better place to spend time.
Power is still created from a 1.5L VTEC four-cylinder engine, now producing 117 horsepower and 106 lb.-ft. of torque still mated to your choice of manual or automatic transmissions. The increased proportions of this new generation meant that fuel economy took a hit over the outgoing model, at 28/35/31 (city/hwy/combined) buyers paid the price at the pump for the new Fit’s extra size.
As fuel prices began creeping over $4/gallon, keeping competitive fuel economy numbers was still vital for the car’s success in the Honda lineup.
J.D. Power noted that the Pros for the new model were the amount of cargo capacity, the new gauge styling, and the transmission smoothness. The problem areas were the feel of the seat material, the quality of the interior materials, and the vehicle’s overall ride.
Honda Fit: Third Generation (2015-2020)
The final generation to be sold in the U.S. began production for the 2015 model year, stealing styling from the biggest people mover in the Honda lineup, the Odyssey minivan.
The new model aimed to improve over the previous two generations with an even quicker, safer, and more fuel-efficient package than before.
Still using a 1.5L four-cylinder engine, the third-generation Honda Fit produced 130 horsepower and 114 lb.-ft. of torque.
Transmissions are either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which is designed for better fuel economy over a typical automatic.
Fuel economy tops out at 33/41/36 mpg (city/hwy/combined) with that CVT being the most fuel-efficient choice in the LX trim.
The third-generation Fit’s interior is perhaps the nicest of the nameplate’s history. With ergonomic touches like a dash-mounted cupholder to the left of the steering wheel, in addition to the two mounted low in front of the shifter, Honda interior designers took advantage of every square inch of interior space.
Touchscreen infotainment, push-button ignition, and USB ports are just some of the modern amenities that buyers will find in this generation of Honda Fit.
Rear seat legroom was increased over the previous model, sacrificing rear cargo space behind those rear seats. (Check out the video below for a look at how the 2015 Honda Fit did on a challenging road test.)
Subcompact class cars are known for their cheaper materials and lack of technology and amenities, but Honda brings Honda Sensing safety features, if you opt for the CVT on the EX or EX-L models, as well as optional leather seats that can be heated.
Which Honda Fit Should You Buy/Avoid?
The biggest factor when looking at the recalls over the lifespan of the Honda Fit is the infamous Takata Airbag Recall. Affecting 2007-2014 model years, the Takata Airbag inflators are the main culprit behind the inflated recall numbers for the early generations of the Honda Fit.
If you do find a Honda Fit model that fits your needs but has an outstanding recall due to the Takata Airbag inflator unit, Honda will repair all parts and give owners a free one-day car rental if needed.
Beyond this issue, Honda’s reputation for build quality and reliability holds up under scrutiny, with model years 2017, 2018, and 2020 all avoiding a single recall, as of the writing of this article.
Given the rise in popularity of SUVs and crossovers, it is no surprise that Honda has chosen not to sell the Fit in America for the 2021 model year. This gives buyers looking at the Honda Fit 14 model years from which to choose. (Check out the video below for a comprehensive look at the 2019 model year option.)
Recall issues aside, the best value appears to be the second generation, 2009 through 2014. Given the improvements in size, handling, and fuel-economy, paired with the natural depreciation of used vehicles, the second-generation Honda Fit falls into the high-value quadrant.
According to Consumer Reports, buyers could likely find a 2009-2014 model year Fit between $6,400 and $11,000. Ranked by many reviewers including Motor Trend as one of the most engaging to drive, the second-generation cars seem to be the best value and most entertaining to drive of all years.
Interior cargo volume is perhaps also the most usable for these model years as well, being the best mix of rear legroom and hatchback cargo storage. The overall safety of this vehicle also means it would be a good first car.
Honda’s reputation for reliability should have buyers putting many miles on any year model they choose, but those miles will not be heavy on fuel usage as all generations of Fit sip the fuel. All years and trims averaged over 30mpg combined, meaning a Honda Fit of any generation will be a great value.
When looking for a used Honda Fit, a great place to start is right here on the Vehicle History website!
Photos: Honda
