When it comes to economy, it’s pretty hard to beat the Honda Fit.
This little, four-door hatchback offers great fuel economy with surprising space inside for passengers and cargo.
A 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter four cylinder engine averages around 30 miles per gallon. The official EPA estimates are 27 in the city and 33 on the highway. A five-speed manual is standard with a five-speed automatic, with paddle shifters, is optional.
And, when you figure in the $18,580 price tag, this Honda may be a better fit for your budget than a hybrid vehicle.
The 2009 model is the third year for the Fit and not much has changed from the initial introduction. There are only two trim levels to choose from and no factory options. You can get a base model with 14-inch wheels, power steering, air conditioning and single disc CD player. Step up the Sport version and you get 16-inch wheels, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry and MP3-compatible audio system with an auxiliary jack. Our Sport test model also came with voice-activated navigation, steering wheel controls, power windows, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and rear window wiper/washer and defroster.
One of the most surprising things about the Fit is the interior room. Although it’s some 20 inches shorter than a Honda Civic, the overall interior volume is nearly equal to the mid-size Accord.
The rear seats offer a lot of versatility with four different settings. When you fold them flat, there’s almost 42 cubic feet of cargo space. And, they’re comfortable.
The interior is spartan in a lot of ways, but this is an economy car. However, the pieces all fit nicely and the controls are user friendly. The navigation system is something you don’t normally find in cars in this category.
One thing you can count on is the renowned Honda quality. The Fit has been on the market in Europe and Japan for several years so it’s been road proven.
Honda offers a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty, which should be more than enough because Honda’s don’t have that many problems.
The little fit is fun to drive around town. Weighing only 2,500 pounds, the engine is more than capable. Our test model had the manual transmission and it’s hard to beat Honda’s transmissions for shifting ease.
The 2009 model hasn’t been crash tested yet, but given Honda’s history, it should rank pretty high. However, we wouldn’t recommend challenging any 18-wheelers or SUVs at an intersection.
Small families or commuters will find this Honda a great fit for their needs. (Pardon the pun)

Ryan’s Ride –
It’s hard to beat this little Honda for economy and space. I found the engine very zippy and the transmission buttery smooth.
The aerodynamic styling is designed to cut down on wind resistance and drag to improve fuel economy. While it achieves that goal, it doesn’t leave a very attractive exterior. The Fit closely resembles a door stop in many ways.
The Fit’s engine is a little more powerful for 2009 than before, without sacrificing on the fuel economy. And that’s the main purpose of the Fit.
I did find the Fit a handful on the freeway when passing semis. The wind buffeting can move you around a bit unless you’re prepared for it.
One thing you can’t beat is the interior room. The front cabin is very roomy with comfortable seats and plenty of storage spaces. The back seats are versatile with a 60/40 split option and fold flat for extra storage space. The rear hatch opens wide for easier cargo loading.
Toyota, Nissan and Chevy are among the main competitors of the Fit. But loyal Honda owners will be drawn to the Fit. You can’t beat Honda’s reputation for reliability and that’s carried over into the Fit.

Marilyn’s Moment –
If I had to commute any distance to work every day, I’d certainly consider the Fit. The little car is fun to drive, comfortable and breezes past gas stations with ease.
Inside, there’s a surprising amount of space with lots of storage spaces in the front cabin.
The back seats have plenty of leg room for such a small car and can be adapted in several configurations for different needs. When the back seats are folded flat, you can get a lot of things in the back through the wide hatchback door.
Being a subcompact, the Fit is very easy to park. The visibility is excellent even though you’re close to the pavement.
I’ve always liked Honda’s manual transmissions. They’re smooth and precise. If you keep the revs up between shifts, you’d don’t lose much momentum and getting on the freeway isn’t a scary task.
We’ve tested just about all of the competition and the Fit ranks right near the top in most every category by my standards.