Entered CNET Catalog: 03/31/2006
SKU: 100692872
Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Company, Incorporated
Product summary
The good: The 2007 Honda Fit is a peppy subcompact with surprisingly good handling for a car of its class. Clever interior design offers multiple seating configurations and loads of space. Its stereo sounds fine and is very MP3-friendly.
The bad: The puny 1.5-liter engine chokes uphill and when trying to pass on the freeway. The Fit doesn't have traction control, navigation, or Bluetooth as options.
The bottom line: The 2007 Honda Fit is a well-designed all-purpose vehicle that can tackle a wide range of tasks. It works well as a commute vehicle and for running errands around town, but it isn't good on hills and will make its occupants suffer on longer trips.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 05/03/2006
The 2007 Honda Fit doesn't look a car that would inspire jealousy in the hearts of onlookers. But if the window sticker was still attached, it would definitely do so, as this car is an excellent value for the money. The Honda Fit is just now making its debut in the United States, but it has been tooling around roads in Europe and Asia for some time. Honda hopes this new addition will be fit (pardon the pun) for a fan base here in the States.
The most impressive feature of the Honda Fit is its incredible interior space. Both front- and backseats fold down into several different configurations, so it can schlep stuff of just about any size. The car is also surprisingly zippy, as long as it's relatively empty and driving on a flat surface. But once it gets weighed down or enters hilly territory, the 1.5-liter engine that could turns into the little engine that might if the throttle is depressed hard enough. The small power train yields big benefits at the gas pump, however; the Fit's high gas-mileage will be easy on the wallet. Its emission rating is OK but could be better for a car with such a small engine.
The stereo's auxiliary input and ability to play MP3 CDs are just the start of its MP3-friendliness. It's a good-sounding system for an economy car and uses interesting and unique controls. Unfortunately, these controls also make it hard to stick an aftermarket system into the dash. Furthermore, navigation and Bluetooth aren't available.
Pricing for the 2007 Honda Fit starts at $13,850. Our Fit Sport model with automatic transmission and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters was $15,970, not including destination charge or tax.
Despite its diminutive proportions, the 2007 Honda Fit feels incredibly roomy inside. The configurable interior features a high roof and fold-down seats to accommodate passengers and cargo of varying sizes.
The cockpit is outfitted with slick dark-blue-backlit gauges, which are a nice change from the duller dash colors of yesteryear. The sporty steering wheel is surprisingly comfortable and easy to grip, and it has buttons to set the cruise control but none for the audio system.
The front seats are comfortable on short drives but lack a wide range of adjustability otherwise. One manual lever under the lower cushion moves the seat forward and back, and another lever on the side reclines the seat. The lack of lumbar support could prove problematic on long road trips.
Rear space is a sight to behold when the back 60/40-split Magic Seat is stowed. The Honda Web site shows a photo of an alpaca in the back seat of the Fit, but we weren't able to verify whether the car could indeed carry farm animals. We did, however find that the backseat provides enough room for two adults to kick back and stretch out. Cup holders in the rear doors and the back of the center console ensure that drinks are close by and easy to access. Legroom is adequate even for large adults, as long as the front seats are moved up slightly.
The blue-backlit, 200-watt stereo system looks cool. The in-dash CD player supports burned discs in both MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) format, and it displays ID3 track information. The stereo controls are well laid out, with a large unique knob surrounded by mode buttons. Unfortunately, this arrangement is not aftermarket-friendly; it would take a lot of custom work to shoehorn another stereo into this dashboard. An auxiliary jack near the 12-volt DC power adapter allows for easy hookup of a portable music player. But other gadgets such as satellite radio, GPS navigation, and Bluetooth integration are conspicuously missing. The Sport's six-speaker setup offers decent sound, and preset EQ modes may be selected to suit different types of music. The nomenclature on the last feature, however, is a bit baffling; we couldn't figure out what exactly Smooth music was.
Vent and AC controls work well and are easy to use, although the Fit doesn't have a more sophisticated climate control system, as found in other cars. The knobs and vents feel a bit flimsy, but they aren't bad for a car of this price. The vast size of the sliding control that opens and closes the fresh air vent raised a few eyebrows among staffers; we thought it an odd use of valuable real estate on the center display. The rear defroster must be switched off manually, which can lead to accidental overuse for those of us accustomed to hitting a button once and forgetting about it.
Although the interior is for the most part cleverly designed, large quantities of plastic and fabric still give the Honda Fit an entry-level feel. The glove compartment offers plenty of space, but a skinny shelf cut into the area above the glove compartment had us scratching our heads trying to figure out what it was for. The center console lacks an enclosed storage compartment, but a long, narrow opening fits a cell phone or other small odds and ends.
Don't judge the 2007 Honda Fit strictly by the numbers. The 109-horsepower, 1.5-liter, VTEC four-cylinder engine puts out a mere 105 pound-feet of torque but feels quite peppy off the line. Once the car is cruising, however, it strains to muster up power for freeway merges and steep inclines. The pedal hits the metal especially hard when the car is full of cargo.
The car handles amazingly well around town. Cornering is stable and tight, and the steering wheel responds nicely with minimal input. The power-assisted ventilated front disc/rear drum brakes engage succinctly and with little pressure.
The five-speed automatic transmission suffers from some lag time between shifts, even in Sport mode. The paddle shifters are fun, but the car takes over and automatically shifts up or down if the driver fails to hit a paddle within a designated RPM range. While this is helpful for people who aren't used to manually changing gears, it's annoying for those of us who prefer to shift near redline.
Cruise control is easy to set but feels a little jerky. We could feel the car constantly speeding up and slowing down to maintain speed.
Wallet- and eco-conscious consumers will be pleased with the 2007 Honda Fit's EPA ratings. Cars with the manual transmission get an estimated 33mpg in the city and 38mpg on the highway, while automatics get 31mpg in the city and 38mpg on the highway. Our automatic Sport model achieved a documented 31mpg in the city and 37mpg on the highway. In addition, the Honda Fit is a LEV II low-emissions vehicle. Previously, the EPA rated LEV II vehicles an 8 out of 10 (with 10 being the cleanest) on its air pollution score, but newer, stricter standards have caused the rating for these types of vehicles to fall to a 6 out of 10. We would expect a car of this size that gets such good gas mileage to score better on its emissions rating.
The 2007 Honda Fit features good passive safety but lacks electronic roadholdling technologies. The car comes standard with dual-stage, dual-threshold front air bags, as well as side-impact air bags for both the driver and front passenger. Side curtain air bags help protect occupants in the event of a rollover. The chassis is built with side-impact door beams for added rigidity and energy absorption. Families will like the outboard lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) and the childproof rear door locks.
The front-disc/rear-drum brakes come standard with electronic brake distribution and ABS, although we didn't feel much pulsation in the pedal during some hard braking tests. In one instance, we were even able to get one of the front wheels to lock. The car also lacks traction or stability control, features that come standard on the slightly pricier Scion xB.
The 2007 Honda Fit offers a basic three-year/36,000-mile warranty. The power train is covered for five years/60,000 miles, and rust is covered for five years.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62out of 62 user reviews
great great
Pros: do i have to list them all?
Cons: being asked if thats a hybrid everyday- (NO ITS NOT - it doesnt need to be
out of 62 user reviews
Not getting expected gas mileage
Pros: Great Price, Fun To Drive
Cons: Poor Gas Mileage
out of 62 user reviews
A great little car, even for a big guy.
Pros: Thrifty, inside room, handling, design
Cons: Lack of options, no traction control
It's pretty quick for "stop and go traffic," but like others have said, on hilly roads, or when passing other vehicles, the engine works a little harder, and the transmission shifts up and down quite frequently.
We got the "loaded" sports version, with automatic. It's nice looking, and have a few nice features, that you normally only would find on more expensive cars. Said that, I wish it had traction control, and also that they could have added a temperature reader/display.
In Europa they sell the Fit under the name "Jazz." There it comes with options like, heated seats, directional blinkers built into the side mirrors and other thins. I wish that these options also could be available on the Honda Fit sold here in the United States, but for some strange reason, Honda is not doing that.
But the final word is: It's a great little, big car, with built in Honda Quality. That should be fine for most.
out of 62 user reviews
Just what we needed
Pros: cargo capacity, economy, driving experience
Cons: driving position, weak FM tuner
This vehicle is totally fun to drive ...the reviewer obviously didn't take full advantage of the paddle shifters on hills and when passing. I mean how fast do YOU need to go when passing a car or going up a steep hill?
Our biggest complaint is the lack of a telescoping steering wheel: when you achieve adequate leg room, the wheel is too far away. So if you have really long arms, all is well. I would find this a problem on a very long trip. On the other hand this baby wasn't designed to for the long hauls...it's an around town car with enormous cargo capacity. It also has huge headroom causing it to feel like a much larger car inside. And as far as GPS goes, give me a break...don't need that to find a local hardware store. (Someday there will be a sunspot or something and all you GPS'rs will be traveling in circles...but if you are in a Fit, you probably won't run out of gas!!!)
When you combine the features, Honda reliability (change the oil and forget about it), the fun of the ride, and especially price, this vehicle can't be beat. I give it a 9.5 (and I'm a hard marker)
out of 62 user reviews
I'm happy with it.
Pros: Attractive, cleverly engineered, well built
Cons: Under powered, interior scuffs easily
Fuel mileage is outstanding when you keep shifting at 2500 rpm and you start/stop slow. Doing that I've gotten up to 34 mpg city. Driving like a Los Angeleno will get ugly as you'll be able to watch the fuel gauge tapdance over and slide on its KNEES into the E, like Fred Astaire. Consider also the size of the Fit's tank is smaller than normal (10.8 gal?).
On the upside, the gas here is just shy of $3/gal. I top off my Fit with $26. (People get angry! MUAHAHAHAAAAA!!)
The engine is V-Tech so off the line it has nerve but the midrange is not all together sexy. The engine is amazingly small, but efficient.
I'm an artist so over here aesthetics matter. This car is beautiful. The gauges, ergonomics, materials used. Even the cup holders have lights situated on the underside of temp/fan controls that generate ambient light you'd barely notice unless you were you looking at the [cups].
I own the 5-speed auto, non sport model and I'm very happy with my purchase. Honda service has been awesome, Honda Financing has been STUPID helpful and I just really enjoy owning this car. That really makes a difference to me and it's the first time I've been able to say it.
out of 62 user reviews
Great Car Great Price.
Pros: Smooth ride,nice stereo,all power and ac.
Cons: Think all cars should give you floor mats free.
out of 62 user reviews
freakin' love it!
Pros: lots of room, fun to drive, cute to look at
Cons: bit of a bumpy ride at times
The biggest reason I bought this vehicle was for the safety features (I've driven old beaters up to this point).
I've had it for just about a month and am so happy I bought it!
out of 62 user reviews
Cute but not Comfortable
Pros: It's great looking, peppy for around town, and the different seat configuration is AWESOME and handy
Cons: It's sooooo uncomfortable after 30 minutes driving in the car, I'm young and it hurt my back and my ankle
out of 62 user reviews
Honda 1 CNET 0
Pros: Flexibility, decievingly roomy, and fun to drive
Cons: missing map lights, passenger vanity, cargo cover is optional when it should be standard
I find it tough to really find anything wrong with this car except for a few minor things like the passenger vanity mirror or the map lights that are nice to haves. The only thing I was a little surprised by was the lack of a cargo cover as standard equipment. It's just silly.
Overall, a super little vehicle that is not only more than you would expect from a car in this class but it's a whole lotta fun to drive.
out of 62 user reviews
disappointed
Pros: great overall package
Cons: initial quality is an issue?!
However couldn't enjoy it beyond 2 weeks (700 km on odometer) because my beloved new Fit didn't start one night. Believe it or not it had to be towed to dealership, which found that the computer is to blame. Another computer is coming in 10 days from Japan while dealership got me into '07 Corolla from Budget to complete satisfaction with unlimited mileage. This Fit was my first new car. My '89 Camry did the same thing with computer (pretty sure now) when it had 360K km on odometer.
out of 62 user reviews
Jack of all Master of some. Mechanically Advanced, Electronicaly Challenged
Pros: Nimble control, precise acceleration and F1 inspired Paddle Shifters smokes competition
Cons: Lacks power, no seat height adjusters, no arm rest, no traction control
out of 62 user reviews
Finally beat the CRX
Pros: Mileage, interior space, handling
Cons: Does nothing for my street credit.
out of 62 user reviews
Fit's design vs efficiency
Pros: Excellent comfort, great amenities, stereo sound,ABS, security gadgets and superb appearance.
Cons: Suspension and mileage-should have been better.
out of 62 user reviews
30,000 miles @40 MPG
Pros: Comfortable ride, interior spaciousness, great gas mileage
Cons: Could use an armrest (aftermarket armrests are available)
out of 62 user reviews
Honda has been going down for a few years now...
Pros: Has not broken down yet, and it's been a year
Cons: Outrageously expensive, terrible gas mileage.
out of 62 user reviews
Great everyday car with personality
Pros: small, peppy, great handling, 33 average mpg, storage space, design, dashboard
Cons: no armrest, tire size feel/look small & thin, pricey, weak AC
I would recommend the 5-speed manual vs. automatic, but that's up to you. MT is awesome. Again, it doesn't come with an armrest and can feel flimsy at times with the tires being so small (even on the sport) and when the wind blows or big trucks pass by.
All-in-all great car for my everyneed. Of course wish there was more torque, but hey, I'm averaging 33-34 mpg.
out of 62 user reviews
FANTASTICO!!!
Pros: Great Gas Mileage, Great Room, Great Car!!!
Cons: NADA! Nothing
I just wrote a review on my fit yesterday and I have been reading people who have been getting less than the EPA gas mileage. There are a couple of factors that may be contributing to your gas mileage problem, because it should and does get the gas mileage the EPA rated it at. Change your driving habits. Most everyone has a bad driving habit that may be contributing to bad gas mileage.
1. Do you have a heavy foot. It may be the way you are driving. Are you stomping on the gas to hurry to get to the next light? Do you accelerate quickly? Accelerate slower = better gas mileage. As with any other car. Take your time. Get to where you are going safely as well as saving gas.
2. Are you using the air conditioner a lot. With any car, having the air condition on constantly can considerably drop you gas mileage. Instead open you windows.
3. Use the cruise control. Even at low speeds of 30 and over. Using the cruise control keeps the car at a constant speed and controls it evenly compared to manually pressing the gas constantly. Humans don't have a steady foot.
4.Start slowing down for stops earlier. Coast as much as possible until necessary to brake. Take your foot off the gas if you see the light up ahead turning red or a stop sign ahead and coast as much as possible until you need to use the brake to slow down. The light may turn green before you get to the intersection that way you are already moving. Takes a lot less energy to move a moving car than a stopped one. Using the brake to slow down usually just eats gas. Use the brake wisely. For manual transmission drivers (me) put the car in neutral and coast. No gas going to the engine no gas being used.
5. Are you going faster than the posted speed limit. (Most likely) On highways most or average speed limit is 65 mph. More or less depending you where you live. With any car, going faster than 60-65 mph gas mileage drops. Efficiency of gas mileage with most cars tops out at about 50-65mph. It is just the way it works. So if you are speed demon on the express way, Stop, and try driving the speed limit. There is usually a minimum speed limit and a max speed limit. The higher over the max speed limit, the more gas your car is eating. You get the same place no matter what speed you go. I read an article who drove the minimum of 45 mph and drove 210 miles in an older Toyota I believe. His car was rated at 22-28mpg average V6. He got a little over 40mpg going 45mph the whole trip. Granted it took him a little longer to get where he was going and people were passing him but he had the last laugh when his pocket book still had unused gas money in it.
These are only a few things that I have found have worked for me to get much better gas mileage. Look on the net. There are a whole bunch of ways to save gas and a whole bunch of sites that tell you how. Search things like hypermiling or best gas mileage tips. Most of the time it is just being conscience of the way you are driving.
Fits are made for gas mileage. I get great gas mileage. Usually around 32-37mpg. I probably could get more if I wanted to.
out of 62 user reviews
CNET Didn't Get The Memo
Pros: Driving Experience, Comfort, Utility, Mileage
Cons: Mr Magoomobile Looks
out of 62 user reviews
Fantastic. Traded in an Acura TSX with no regrets
Pros: Handling, Handling, Interior
Cons: basically none so far. no center consose.
I spent 1.5 years in an Accra TSX and I truly enjoy driving the fit more. It all begins with the solid leather wrapped tight ratio steering wheel that communicates instantly with the car. The car holds a turn rock solid right up until slight under-steer kicks in well after you would expect.
And the handling doesn't come with a compromise on the ride. Again i feel this car trumps the tsx and soaks up the bumps at least as softly, yet with less bounce. Once and a while the small wheel base and tight suspension combine to cause a little rocking on an uneven highway but overall the ride is quiet, confident and generally surprising.
The power...well obviously there isn't a ton but but with a little strategy and good shifting you can get it to feel like there is quite a bit under the hood.
Truly the only compromise your making for this car is the lack of a decent center console, an arm rest, map lights and if you're trading from a TSX like me, maybe a little ego.
out of 62 user reviews
It really does fit everything
Pros: power on hills; quiet smooth ride
Cons: small gas tank
out of 62 user reviews
This is def a good choice.
Pros: its tiny, great gas milage, lg. amt of cargo space, great stereo system, i love almost everything about it.
Cons: its a little noisy on certain road surfaces, but just turn up the stereo and you forget all about it.
out of 62 user reviews
I bought two at the same time.
Pros: MPG, lots of room for a small car, very quiet inside.
Cons: I really can't complain about this car.
I have read about 5 reviews that said the same thing. I'm shocked they are not upset because the lack of a V8 engine option. Anyway, my wife and I were tired of getting bent over at the pump and we wanted a nice cheap little car that got great gas mileage. What we got was just that plus a lot more. This car drives great. It handles a lot better than cars that cost 2-3 times as much. No it doesn't have the passing speed as a big V8 has on the highway. But it does get 38 mpg on the highway. I test drove the Toyota Yaris before I got my Fit. It was a great little car too but you got nothing on it for the base price. I mean nothing. If you wanted anti-lock brakes on a Yaris that's a option. I can't believe that Toyota calls what is standard on EVERYTHING else a option. My wife and I got two sport Fits at one time and they cost less than most SUV's on the road today. We are saving almost $180-200 dollars a month min on gas now. That almost pays for one of the car payments right there. I do wish sometimes the gas tank was just a little bit larger. Although I haven't had to put more than $26.50 dollar worth of gas into it since it's tank is only 10.8 gallons so I can't complain to much about that. I know some people may think that is bad but if you get 38 mpg on the road you can go over 400 miles before you run out of gas. I was filling up my old SUV every 280-300 miles at a cost of $45-50 dollars.
out of 62 user reviews
Great car - good buy!
Pros: Nice ride, roomy interior, soundly built, great stereo, terrific on gas,
Cons: No temp gauge or passenger mirror or armrest. A bit noisy (engine and exterior sound).
out of 62 user reviews
My Best Car ever
Pros: Great performance in town
Cons: 14" wheel is a little bit small
out of 62 user reviews
Great on highway - love the car
Pros: Responsive and fuel efficient
Cons: The dealer I purchased the car from
out of 62 user reviews
AWESOME CAR!
Pros: Price, Features, Comfort, Magic seats, peddle shifters, Gas mileage, Fog lights, huge Space (folding the seats), enough power to run smooth, steering control, six airbags, abs on four wheels
Cons: Absence of armrest, gas-tank lock. Eats torque when you speed up (initially)
The orange metallic Fit (sport) immediately drew my attention and in no time I was test driving it. To my utter disbelief this car performed so well in city as well as freeway. Accepted the torque goes high if you want to speed up (initially from stop), but that can be solved by using the 'manual' mode and peddle shifters.
How many cars have this feature in sub-compact economy class? Forget economy, even Camrys and Accords don't have it.
In features they have provided MP3 player with 200 W system + ipod connector (plug and play).
Inside it's awesome, with huge space (magic seats are awesome), nice dash board, easy manouvering.
I dunno why people say it looks ugly, it looks quite nice and Honda has put every thing it can in such a small space. Six airbags, abs on all four wheels, fog lights, halogen head lights, back wipers and the design (hatch back style) is worth the penny.
I drove 900 miles in 4 days on different terrains, in storm, you can't beat this FIT! I drove it in lanes between two huge semis, not a drag or jolt, quite surprising from a light weight vehicle. Even at higher speeds (80mph), the FIT runs smooth and I wouldn't complain the noise it produces.
How much do you expect from a small sub-compact economy car? I am right now getting a gas mileage of 36.6 mpg, hope to get it better after 3K miles.
To be honest, you don't drive a FIT, the FIT drives you, listens to your commands and makes you sit there and enjoy.
All in all, I am a proud owner of this vehicle and extremely happy about my decision.
I would highly rate it to anyone who's planning to buy a new car.
My only complain though is, my vehicle is drawing unwarranted attention from strangres who are befreinding me for free rides. LOL..
out of 62 user reviews
Such a great car
Pros: Roomy, visually appealing, nicely equipped
Cons: Not the fastest car ever, but it's zippy.
I am not interested in speed or high tech gadgets - I want something reliable, safe, well equipped and attractive. I got all of that with the Honda Fit.
My brothers are over 6 feet tall and they both fit comfortably - with extra leg room! I recently moved and was amazed at how much storage space my Fit has.
A wonderful car for a 20-something male or female who wants a good, reliable vehicle.
out of 62 user reviews
It will Rock your Socks off, Love mine
Pros: Styling, it rocks in that dept. The Vtec give the pep you need to merge or manage safe distances from the cars behind you. Integrated all aspects of the needs for a vehicle and a young techy
Cons: Center Arm rest, No bluetooth option, aftermarket is rough for Auto trans.
out of 62 user reviews
The mileage i am getting(Local/Highway 20.5/30) is Terrible, where as they have advertised 31/37
Pros: I don't see any problems other than Mileage so far.
Cons: Mileage is Terrible(really disappointed)
out of 62 user reviews
The Fit is GO
Pros: Pick up, interior space, sound system, handling
Cons: Engine Noise (not that loud though)
out of 62 user reviews
Honda FIT is physically FIT!!!!!!
Pros: pretty much FULLY LOADED at $16K PLUS 5-star crash rating!
Cons: acceleration slightly wanting, a FEW more inches in the rear would be nice!
out of 62 user reviews
Orange-you glad you save $ with MPG?
Pros: MPG, Aesthetics Looks (Interior & Exterior), Great features (Sport Edition)
Cons: Somewhat compact for the driver (if 6'0" oer taller), No hybrid engine edition (for more MPG)
The price range is just right, especially if you are interested in the Sport edition. The space is great, it's compact but not too compact.
However, unlike my previous car, there seems to be less leg room for the driver and it was at first odd to get used to and adjusted.
But that's what this car is - an adjustment. Other drivers around you will take note of it and adjust their driving (for better or worst); other car companies have made adjustments to keep with the times with higher gas prices; and they will as well work on the lowly consumer's needs when it comes to cubic storage space in a car.
One week driving this baby and I love it. Plus, it's great having my very first CD player w/ Aux' !
out of 62 user reviews
Honda Fit is Fantastic!
Pros: Fun! Fun! Fun!
Cons: Laura Burstein
I've only had my Fit for a week and have put on about 500 miles. I have to admit that I haven't gotten the gas milage I thought I was going to get, but I'm just having so much fun using those paddles! Power! You can never have enough, OK, I can never have enough, but for what it has (109 HP) it is great!
Now for the pitfalls. The lack of an armrest, fixed that for $39.00. Doesn't come with floor mats? I just asked my dealer to put some in the deal and they did $0.00, No Footrest, $5.95 I installed myself. No Navigation? I use my laptop and have Deloreme software $99.00, includes GPS receiver. ($39.00/yr for updated software) compare that to the add on prices of the cars that the Fit was supposed to be going up against.
PS. More power? Ask any kid driving a Honda, chances are they know a "tuner" that can give you all the power you need.
out of 62 user reviews
The Fit Is Go
Pros: Handling, acceleration, cargo and gas mileage
Cons: Lacks dead pedal, passenger vanity mirror, sun roof and bumpy ride for rear passengers
In addition to the cargo space, I am impressed by the Fit's tight handling, responsive acceleration off the line, and relatively comfortable ride for the diver and front seat passengers. I've been told that the ride is a bit bumpy for rear seat passengers.
I commute 100 miles on the highway daily and I have been averaging approximately 34 miles per gallon. With a tank size of 10.8 gallons, the low fuel light turns with approximately 1.8 gallons left. When that happens, I don't get concerned as I know that I still have about 50 miles to go before running out of gas!
Overall, the Fit is a great car and a fun car to drive in and of itself. But the paddle shifters make it even more fun to drive. The factory stereo and CD player sounds great and the Aux input is a convenient feature to plug in an iPod.
There are a few minor things that I do not like about the Fit. The Fit lacks a dead pedal rest, an arm rest, a vanity mirror for the passenger, and an overhead map light above the rear view mirror. Again these are only minor inconveniences and after market items are available to correct these inadequacies.
Other than the items just mentioned, I would like to see 2008 Fits offer a sun roof and possibly stereo controls on the steering wheel.
out of 62 user reviews
This is an amazing, functional car for the price.
Pros: Great gas mileage, sporty look, fog lamps standard on sport, interior that adjusts to hold almost anything, MP3 jack standard, great pick-up for a small engine.
Cons: No armrests on front seats, no factory option for a sun/moonroof.
out of 62 user reviews
Most convenient and comfortable road trip I've ever had
Pros: Versatile, fast little freak, comfortable,
Cons: Honda Only Offered me 80,000 mile warranty!
I never comment on these things since I place much of my faith on the CNET reviewers and users. But this article is just unfair!
Right off the bat, the introduction is just inaccurate! The Fit design is one of the best designs made in 2006 so much so that when I’m driving my car in the open road, aftermarket-modded cars want to race me! Sure, the engine itself is only 109 horsepower, but after a couple of minor touches such as K&N high-flow air filter and super-light rims and tires, which I got the set from my 1990 Honda Civic Hatchback (bolt pattern is similar), the car runs 100 mph without a problem! 109hp on a light body like Fit is like having a 250 hp on a truck as big as a Hummer! (Okay, pushing it but the car is fast and can go uphill if you know how do drive!)
There has been international following on this car (Chassis number GD), most GD Hondas internationally have aftermarket parts that can make this car lightweight and turn it into a Fit Sport Extreme version (carbon fiber hood and hatch, high-flow cold-air intake, turbocharger, performance muffler, rims, and tires, and Mugen performance window visors).
I live in Connecticut and drove to Illinois for the New Year celebration, my brother and I can drive this car without any problems whatsoever. With the seats being able to be changed in a recline position, I managed to rest comfortably with my legs fully stretched out while my brother drives! Think a good reading position in your bed after a long, hard day. What the Fit offered me is fairly similar to that feeling. After a 15-hour drive (roughly 80 mph average in the highways), I’m less tired than when I used to drive with our Toyota 4Runner, Mazda 6, or Lexus ES300. I love driving this car in curves (as the body roll is less than any sports sedan I’ve driven), uphill and downhill, and long excursions! After seven months of driving this car, I’ve already used up at least 15,000 miles (time for another oil change!).
I was originally offered 5 years/50K mile warranty on the car but extended it to 8 years/80K mile. I was hoping to get a 100K mile warranty but they do not offer it (at least not in my area).
My advice, test-drive the car. For its class, the Fit is quite in every way. Try closing a an xA, xB, or a Yaris door and you’ll hear a slam that feels like the only thing stopping the door is the metal frame and you’ll hear a loud bang like the economy cars 5 years ago. Try closing a Fit’s door and it sounds like a Mercedes luxury door.
Want more, let me know, I can talk non-stop!
I put 10 in rating because, so far, I have no complaints with the car other than the Warranty Coverage (which is not really all about the car but the company itself).
out of 62 user reviews
Don't listen to the Bernstein Bears.. this car is greeeaat!
Pros: all you need in basic transportation
Cons: will not positively affect your feelings of self importance
The toyota sub-compacts also have their speedometers placed in the middle of the car. They say you get used to it, but to me it felt quite like my method for passing high-school algebra. What's more, if i speed even a bit, i feel that my passengers may have seen it, and are silently judging me.
The FIT has proper instrumentation. Deep gauges to hide my velocity and make me glow blue at night. I look good in blue.
At point of sale, it may not come with bluetooth, or blue-ray, but i'm most disappointed that it doesn't come with a PS3. Or remote-control cupholders. Or a sign that says "I'm a gadgety guy!"
The car is a bit "slow" compared to most cars, but most cars now have Herd Power (anything more than 300 horses is a "herd").
The appearance is not outstanding, for good or bad, which means you won't be shouting "look at me, in my cheap car!", as you putt around town.
All that goodness for less than the price of a plasma screen tv...How can it get less than a 10?
out of 62 user reviews
Fun Car To Drive
Pros: Easy to drive, good power, lots of room
Cons: could use an armrest
The VTEC has a lot of power so highway driving is an ease. Great gas mileage, fun and easy to drive. Lots of cargo space.
out of 62 user reviews
Best Car for the value, CNET review is on Drug when giving it a 6.5
Pros: More power than needed, very smart spacious
Cons: OK Exterior look, but what do you expect for a spacios car
I bought the FIT and I really like it. I first test drove the FIT up on the mountain and I didn't have to press on the gas petal too hard to get it up to 80KPH (50MPH) with 2 grown men and going up a mountain. The car was very responsive, better than a MAZDA 5 that I also thinking to buy.
It has an option of one or both back seat fold flat down, that gives options for 3 or 4 passengers with extra carco space. With one of the back and front passenger seat fold down you can carry long object and still can carry 2 passengers.
out of 62 user reviews
I don't know what car the "Editor" was driving but..
Pros: Gas savings, Magic Seats, lots of space, great stereo, ITS A HONDA!
Cons: Not a luxury car but will do!
out of 62 user reviews
An almost perfect little car
Pros: Space utilization, handling, looks, value for money
Cons: Comfort on long runs
out of 62 user reviews
The reviewer is a freakin' idiot...
Pros: Spacious, incredible gas mileage, peppy engine
Cons: Possibly, could be a little less expensive, but hey, you pay for quality.
out of 62 user reviews
Got Fit! Be Happy!
Pros: Just about everything!
Cons: Perhaps 16" wheels and tires could be standard
out of 62 user reviews
The Fit is the perfect car for now. As advertised: "The Fit is Go!"
Pros: Very spacious; handles like a larger automobile; gets incredible gas mileage--especially in good driving conditions; plenty of space for all passengers; easy to use controls and much more!
Cons: Does not have a stationary "fake" pedal for the driver's left foot; does not have a center arm rest; floor mats and rear cargo space cover must be purchased separately.
With that said, the Honda Fit Sport is absolutely the best car for the money I have ever invested in. The very first thing you discover upon entering the vehicle is the height of the ceiling (nearly 3" higher than Civics/Accords), and the width of the interior isn't much different. You feel amazingly limber and comfortable in the nicely designed seats.
Next you look at the dash and notice how easily everything is to operate. Nothing is too fancy or complicated for the user to master. This certainly helps while on the road and you find what you're looking for without fumbling on the wrong dials.
Next is the smooth sound of the engine as you start it up and watch as the impressive light show appears on the dash. Listen now, as outside noise is almost absent while the windows are up. Speaking of windows, now look around and notice the amazing visibility you have around the car. While noticing this visibility, notice the side curtain airbags the vehicle comes equipped with, as well as the passenger weight sensor in the front seat which shuts off the airbag in case too small a passenger is located there.
Now, run your hands across the smooth, leather steering wheel and adjust it where it needs to be. Now take a moment and view all of the cup holders in the car--this will help keep children from spilling fluids on your cloth... and adults... and those things they drink in your car. Oh, did I mention you can comfortably fit 5 adults in your Fit--all of which will have seat belts?
I have gotten extraordinary gas mileage on my Fit when driving properly, both in town and on the road. Sometimes reaching into the mid-40 mpg range--most often between 39-41. I also take long trips with my two children and they love the comfort of the car in the back. There is plenty of room in the hatch to place my luggage and groceries--and I can even adjust the back seats for more space if I need it. The BEST part is that I can drive 5 hours or more at a time, and I do not get tired or sore in the driver's seat as I have with many other cars. The comfort level over long trips is astounding--and it should be for a car built for economy.
The headlights are very bright--the dims shoot out beams in a flat and wide layer across the road giving you phenominal visibility at night--when you turn on your brights, your jaw will drop as it reaches about 250 feet further as it appears. This certainly helped me when I travelled in the hills of Tennessee and came across dozens of deer crossing the roads.
As I travelled through Tennessee, by the way, I got to feel how well the Fit handled hills and curve--and contrary to Laura, I found the 4 cylinder's power very substantial with 4 people inside, and it handles the curves and driving just as if it were a large car. It definitely feels like you're driving a much larger car while inside.
It also stormed heavily on a few of my trips, and the large windshield wipers kept my view clear the whole way--the rear wiper did it's job as well. There was also a lot of fog in some places, and thankfully the fog lights on the car took care of that.
The air conditioner is astonishing during my travels in Alabama's hot 106 degree sunshine. The car also has a unique interior scent which is quite catchy and gives you that "new car feel" every time you get inside. It's not an irritable smell like some new car smells have been in the past.
It is very affordable and holds it's value well. Everything I mentioned above is why I must give this car a perfect score. It's perfect for everything I need, and with it's small size, it's always easy to find a place to park when in a hurry--and the short doors help keep you from opening then into other people's cars.
The sporty steel alloy rims and unique exterior design make this vehicle a true head-turner for onlookers. You'll be envied by your friends for sure--some have even joked with me about trading me their more expensive cars for my sporty little Fit. Of course you know my answer! "I ain't uh'tradin' my 2007 fer yeour expir'd 06 car!"
The Fit certainly IS "go"! Buy one yourself and be one of the first folks to enjoy the many benefits it has with a low cost.
I have put this car through nearly every driving and weather condition and have been very impressed. I hope the information I provided has been helpful, and if you have any questions, I'll check back here from time to time and answer them as I can.
Safe travels!
Adam of Auburn Alabama
PADDLE SHIFTERS! Apparently Laura has failed to put these useful steering wheel embraced paddle shifters to use on the freeway while passing traffic. With these shifters, you can manually drop the car into 4th gear, or even 3rd depending on speed, and roar your way past other vehicles on the freeway. This definitely beats gunning the gas in 5th gear using Honda's gas-saving Drive-by-Wire gas pedal and throttle system. This 1.5 liter has all the power you need, and I don't know what Laura was "expecting," but perhaps she should look a little closer before needlessly ripping a quality car to pieces with a poor rating when it surely deserves a higher one. By the way, you can use the paddle shifters to slow down before reaching stop lights and signs in order to save on brake wear.
Enjoy!
Compliments of Adam
out of 62 user reviews
Great car but only if I can get it are reasonable price
Pros: Good reveiw
Cons: Dealer wanted too much $$ for it
out of 62 user reviews
The CNET Editor underrated this car :(
Pros: Excellent value, great mileage, reliable
Cons: Compact and low hp
out of 62 user reviews
Best Small Car On The Road
Pros: 1) Just Enough Power 2) Sports Car Handling 3) I average 36 MPG (MT)
Cons: 1) Tailgated By SUV's and BMW's
out of 62 user reviews
I love my Fit!!!
Pros: Gas mileage, handling, roominess, options for price
Cons: none to this point
out of 62 user reviews
It’s a blast to drive!
Pros: Best Stylish Economy Car of it's kind! All Around Standard Safety Features
Cons: Black interior fabric attracting lint.
I was considering the Toyota Yaris because the Honda Fit was a bit higher in price but after figuring I would have to add more money to add features that were standard on the Honda Fit, the choice was obvious. The lacking safety features on the Toyota Yaris like… Anti-Lock Brakes, Side/Curtain Airbags (all which come standard on the Honda Fit) was discouraging and should come standard on all vehicles. Bravo Honda! The 2007 Honda Fit has also earned a "5-Star" safety rating for frontal crash performance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The best for a car of it’s kind! The CNet score for this car is very unfair and the reason for that score is a joke. The Honda Fit was meant to be an economy car without the boring economy car look.
The only negative issues I have with the Fit is the interior fabric attracting lint. Definitely have a lint brush in the glove compartment.
In this day and age of High Gas Prices and Car Maintenance, buying the Honda Fit is a wise purchase!
out of 62 user reviews
Great short hop commuter
Pros: Great MPG, Easy parking, dependable
Cons: Noisy at highway speeds, lack of suspension travel,
The radio plays loudly, but it is not as sensitive as the radio in my '99 Camary at actually receiving stations.( I don't have satellite radio.)
The optional ipod connection is high priced ( $400 dealer installed) with limited functionality.
out of 62 user reviews
Is CNET Competent ?
Pros: Price, Standard Safety features, Versatile Seats maximize interior space
Cons: It's an economy car
I walked into Boch Toyota to hand over the check for a Scion. When told to wait for the paperwork, I walked next door to Boch Honda which had just gotten the new Fit and was demo'ing it in front. I test drove & signed over the check for the Fit on the spot. For about the same price you're blow away by the far better ergonomics of the rear seats which move just about anyway to accomdate items from huge hdtv's to bikes to dogs. The Fit also has superior standard safety features (side metal door bars & standard side airbags) than the Scion. But, cnet faults this econo car for lacking mid-size items while doing not doing so for the Scion. What's with that? Change your rating, cnet!
out of 62 user reviews
It's an economy car, stupid
Pros: Lots of standard features for the money
Cons: could use a sixth gear
On the power issue, at 3500 rpm when the cam profile changes, you get extra umph....works for me
out of 62 user reviews
Great, FUN little Car big on inside
Pros: Gas Mileage, Handles well, Fun to Drive
Cons: interior only comes in black, Hard to find one in stock.
out of 62 user reviews
cnet has always been blind with auto reviews
Pros: A versatile hatch, nice list of standard equipment, safe, sips gas, great design, seat configurations, and last but not least... HONDA! enough said
Cons: could use a little more power in this day and age of power hungry infested careless drivers.
out of 62 user reviews
This is a modern GLC (Great Little Car)
Pros: Quick 5-speed sequential paddle-shift auto/manual
Cons: Haven't found one, except I have a hard time getting it away from the Wife.
It appears that the CNet reviewer didn't set foot in this car before creating her review.
Not everyone will enjoy the taunt ride of the fit. But it still hands very well when fully loaded with four LARGE adults
out of 62 user reviews
I love it!
Pros: Fun, attractive, low on gas, cool seats....
Cons: No sunroof option - but no big deal..
out of 62 user reviews
Tight Fit!
Pros: Roomy for compact, nice interior, good performance for engine size
Cons: No complaints (although it could have come with the cargo cover)
If you rate this car based on its price class then you see that it comes out way in front of other cars in its class. Rate the car based on the most tech advanced (blue tooth, nav system) vehicles on the road, and it falls short.
For the price and size you get great value. I test drove a new Civic and Fit and preferred the Fits ride and interior. You be your own judge, but I have a feeling most people will be more than satisfied with their purchase.
For those wondering about gas mileage, I get 40 mpg with 70% highway 30% city driving.
Highly Recommended!
On June 15,2006 I was the victim of a head on car collision with a Ford Expedition while driving home from school. The Ford driver was going south and hit water and skid right into the front of my Honda Fit. I was not seriously injured (stitches on a cut on the left side of my face, as well as, bumps, bruises, and minor lacerations. although many thought I should have not made it. My car was totaled (they needed to cut the roof of to evac me). In case you haven't noticed...I wrote this the morning after from my home computer.
Needless to say. I would buy again...this car safed my life.
out of 62 user reviews
CNET would give their mother a 6.1 rating
Pros: Add up the features on other b-cars , it IS inexpensive
Cons: Get over it, It's a B-car. You get more than you pay for with the Hnda Fit. I know i bought it the next day it came out!
out of 62 user reviews
What was the editor thinking?
Pros: Its cheap, a gas saver, looks great
Cons: no electric motor
Of course the power is low but compared to its competitor its a great motor...i wonder if the editor check the other cars out yet. You can't expect a load of features from a 13k car come on now get real!
out of 62 user reviews
6.1! Boy, do I disagree.
Pros: Fun to drive, extremely convenient, looks more expensive than it is, inside anyway, easy to maintain, reliable; I could go on...
Cons: Beats me. High roofline maybe (not as aerodynamic)
out of 62 user reviews
A great SMALL auto!
Pros: Small on the outside, large on the inside!
Cons: Not the best ride!
out of 62 user reviews
Honda Fit is like a Swiss Army Knife: it's small, compact, and immensely useful
Pros: Does what it's suppose to, and very well at that
Cons: Looks like a lunchbox on wheels
Underpowered by "I'm-a-hot-rodding-monstertruck-loving-nascar-watching-budlite-chugging-hick" standards?? Yes, absolutely! But to address her other issues:
2) what if Honda ACTUALLY put traction control in a 2500lb, fwd car with a 1.5L engine??? that would be tantamount to shooting a fly with a howitzer. overkill.
3) nav has come down-market but the Fit tops out at 15 large -> any car offering nav will probably start at $20K with nav adding around $2K... but I suspect Laura Burstein has 22" gem-encrusted chrome spinners on her Ford Pinto so $2K nav on a $15K car isn't THAT unreasonable
4) once again, does the word "econocar" mean anything?? most people don't even have bluetooth on their cell phones which are MEANT FOR COMMUNICATING much less their cars which last I checked are meant for driving
An interesting tidbit: in this month's "Car and Driver" the Honda Fit was clocked at 70+mph in their slalom test which is faster than the Corvette Z06.
Just my two cents.
[Edited by: admin]
