Honda produces some of the most dependable vehicles on the market today, regularly topping reliability rankings and competing against Toyota and Lexus for overall brand excellence.
Honda Fit subcompact hatchbacks have long been revered for their reliability and versatility, but which model year would make the ideal purchase?
2007-2008
The 2007-2008 Honda Fit subcompact car is an impressive combination of space efficiency, fuel economy, and an enjoyable manual transmission driving experience. Its flexible floor plan and novel back seat configuration make it one of the standouts of its market segment. Plus, its exciting four-cylinder engine and good handling capability round off an exceptional package.
EPA estimates that the Fit averages 31 miles per gallon in city driving and 38 on highway travel. With its compact size and excellent pickup, this car easily maneuvers through traffic; buyers who prefer shifting their gears have access to a five-speed manual gearbox; for those wanting a sportier driving experience, there’s also an optional five-speed automatic available in the Sport model. Both versions make excellent highway cruising vehicles, though full throttle may result in loud engine soundscapes when pressing harder on the accelerator pedal.
Visibility, in general, is excellent, with only minor blind spots at the rear of the car when all seats are folded flat. The steering wheel has an easy grip that responds well, while its brake pedal feels firm yet controlled; additionally, an integrated rearview camera assists when parking or reversing in tight spots.
As expected of a car with such a light curb weight, acceleration in the Fit is quick; most models can reach 60 mph in less than 10 seconds. The 1.5-liter engine provides smooth performance around town, though it is slightly louder under hard acceleration than its Nissan Versa equivalent and less so than some other economy cars.
This model year of the Fit’s primary weakness lies in its highly uncomfortable seats, which may cause back and neck strain during long drives. Some owners also lament its vague power steering, which may prove challenging to use; nevertheless, its versatility and cost effectiveness more than make up for these shortcomings. Honda Fit’s attractive residual value makes it an attractive option for used-car buyers, and 2009 was its best-selling model year, thanks to a third generation, which resolved many of its predecessor’s flaws. Honda Sensing provides active safety features, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus more comfortable seats and quality materials that distinguish it from earlier models. Honda introduced a center console with USB and auxiliary ports in the 2009 Fit, making for one of our favorite features. This upgrade from plastic and cloth-covered consoles of earlier models was much appreciated; however, due to the aging of some parts, it has become vulnerable to cracking and warping.
2012-2013
Are you in search of an efficient subcompact car with plenty of space efficiency, utility, and exhilarating driving dynamics? Look no further than the Honda Fit! From 2007-2008, its first generation set a high bar in terms of interior versatility thanks to folding rear seats, which could either fold flat against their backrests for cargo access or be folded away against them for more effortless loading of large objects into its deep cargo well. Furthermore, this vehicle offered impressive passenger space, including headroom and legroom – it comfortably seats four adults! Plus, its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine made driving pleasure while boasting 33 mpg overall — genuinely making this winner among its class rivals!
Honda introduced the second generation of this popular hatchback in 2012. It is quicker, safer, and more fuel-efficient than its predecessor while offering modern drivers an array of amenities that meet current driving demands. Our favorite 2013 Honda Fit model stands out due to its enhanced styling features, such as additional standard safety features as well as user-friendly infotainment technology; additionally, it has an excellent track record with minimal recalls or customer complaints.
However, Fit is not free from drawbacks. Its 117-horsepower engine provides quick off-the-line acceleration but has difficulty merging onto highways or passing slower traffic. Furthermore, 15-inch wheels make for a noisy passenger cabin ride, and highway driving produces noticeable road and wind noise, and it lacks height adjustment for shorter drivers.
Even with its few flaws, the Fit is a fantastic option for buyers searching for an economical compact car to meet everyday tasks in style and ease. In terms of cost comparisons, its price point falls beneath that of its main rivals — such as Chevy Sonic, Ford Fiesta, and Kia Rio5 — offering similar utility and enjoyment behind the wheel.
Customers interested in purchasing the Honda Fit EV should know that its fully electric variant may not be available everywhere; potential purchasers should reach out to their local Honda dealer in order to confirm availability in their region. In addition, used models often make for affordable yet safe and reliable alternatives; technicians will have gone over them and may come with lower mileage or depreciation than newer vehicles as well as more extended manufacturer warranties; this can be a significant factor for some consumers.
2015
Since its launch, the Honda Fit has proven how affordable hatchbacks can be enjoyable to drive. Its unique versatility — including rear seats that fold flat and low to create a spacious cargo floor — has made it popular among college students and first-time car buyers. Furthermore, despite having modest power output, it achieves impressive fuel economy — up to 32 mpg combined driving!
No surprise that the Fit has scored well in our reliability surveys and consumer review sites, yet which model year should you purchase? To help make an informed decision, we have broken down what makes a good, bad, and ugly Fit model year purchase decision.
The 2009 redesign of the Fit preserved its space while making it faster, safer, and more modern. It was the first subcompact car to use dual overhead cams with direct injection and variable valve timing; these features allowed increased horsepower at higher engine speeds while improving fuel economy. Furthermore, its new chassis used more high-strength steel and increased torsion rigidity for improved handling and ride quality, although weight increased slightly.
Though this second generation of the Fit was an improvement over its predecessors, it wasn’t without issues. Engine block cracks and premature ignition coil failure resulted in multiple recalls; if you plan to purchase one from this period, make sure it has been serviced to address these problems prior to finalizing a deal.
Honda revised their CVT transmission and added a Sport (‘S’) mode that allows users to shift through seven preset ratios with paddle shifters. Their improved CVT also has more responsive throttle mapping that makes the Fit more responsive in city traffic.
Edmunds’ 2015 Sedan Buying Guide ranks the Fit as one of its highest-rated models, thanks to its roomier and more refined interior as well as excellent safety ratings. Its impressive 130-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission provide exceptional fuel economy – up to 41 miles per gallon on the highway! This vehicle seats five in an accommodating configuration, including flat folding back seats. Consumer Reports ranks the 2016 model as a “Best Buy.” To maximize fuel economy, look for one with a manual transmission; otherwise, it might be worth exploring its optional seven-speed CVT transmission option as well. The model also earned top scores from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, though it fell short of receiving five-star scores in their new small-overlap front crash test, qualifying as an IIHS Top Safety Pick nonetheless.
