5
0
Subcompact car; Built in Japan
  • 4-door hatchback
  • 4-door hatchback
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $5,600 – $13,400*


2009 Honda Fit Front


2009 Honda Fit Rear


2009 Honda Fit Interior


2009 Honda Fit Profile

Pros:
  • Control layout
  • Fuel economy
  • Handling (Sport)
  • Interior storage space
  • Passenger room
Cons:
  • Acceleration
  • Noise

As before, Fit’s strongest selling points are its impressive passenger accommodations and large, versatile cargo space. Sport models add a touch of fun-to-drive appeal. While new-car prices have seemed steep for a subcompact, Fit warrants that designation in name and exterior size only. It’s really a small wagon that challenges some compact SUVs for room while getting significantly better fuel economy. The 2009 redesign didn’t result in a quantum leap over its predecessor-in fact, most people would be hard-pressed to tell them apart. Yet, the latest Fit offers some useful upgrades that make it a Best Buy (2009-12) in this segment.

Overview

Redesigned for 2009 after only two seasons in its initial form, the Fit gained size and power while remaining Honda’s smallest car. Compared to the 2007-08 model, this subcompact front-drive hatchback gained 2 inches in wheelbase and 4 inches in overall length. Base and Sport models returned, both powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 117 horsepower-an increase of 8 hp. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, and a five-speed automatic was optional. Sport models with automatic added steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. Those Sport editions also featured subtle aerodynamic body add-ons, upgraded trim, and 16-inch alloy wheels in place of the base model’s 15-inch steel wheels. (Prior Fits had used 14-inch wheels.) Standard safety features included antilock brakes, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Traction control, an antiskid system (new for 2009) were installed on Sport models with Honda’s newly available navigation system. Also available for the first time was a USB port for digital music players. Split 60/40, the rear seat could be positioned to best accommodate either cargo or people. The rear seat cushions could be folded up or the seatbacks folded down to increase cargo room. Rivals to Honda’s Fit included the Hyundai Accent, Scion xD, and Suzuki SX4.

An electric-powered Fit EV was added in 2013.

Yearly Updates

2010 Fit
The 2010 Honda Fit is largely unchanged following its 2009 redesign.
2011 Fit
The 2011 Honda Fit gained some standard convenience and safety features. Newly standard on 2011 Fit Base versions were cruise control, a USB port for connecting digital-music players, and keyless entry. Previously offered only on Fit Sport with navigation, traction control and an antiskid system were now standard on all 2011 Fit models.
2012 Fit
There were no changes of note to the 2012 Honda Fit.
2013 Fit
Gas-powered Fits saw no changes for 2013. There was a new version though, the electric-powered Fit EV. Fit took the 2014 model year off and a redesigned Fit appeared as a 2015 model.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

All Honda Fits have a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 117 horsepower, mating with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

ohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.5/91
Engine HP 117
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 106
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual

 27/33

 34.0
ohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.5/91
Engine HP 117
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 106
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed automatic

 28/35

 31.8
electric1
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) NA
Engine HP 123
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 189
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
single-speed

 132/105

1. MPGe

Road Test

Acceleration is adequate around town with either transmission, though Fit feels livelier with the manual gearbox. Highway passing demands patience, but at least the automatic kicks down quickly for more power when needed. Sport models with the automatic include steering-wheel shift paddles and a Sport mode that keeps the transmission in a lower gear than in normal mode for faster throttle response. Most drivers are likely to appreciate the manual transmission’s smooth, light shift action and matching clutch operation.

Fuel economy is a notable benefit. A manual-transmission Sport averaged a frugal 34.0 mpg with a slight bias towards highway driving. An extended-use Sport with automatic averaged 31.8 mpg. Fits use regular-grade gasoline.

Base models on their 15-inch tires feel commendably solid and reasonably compliant over bumps. Sport models, which have lower-profile 16-inch tires and different suspension tuning, suffer body jiggle over smaller bumps and hop sharply over larger ones.

Sport models shine in the handling department, exhibiting sharper steering response and less body lean in turns, which helps them live up to their name. Base models feel somewhat soggier. Tidy exterior dimensions make all Fits highly maneuverable. Availability of traction control and an antiskid system has been laudable, though limited to the top model.

Quietness is not a strong point. Though fairly quiet at idle, the Fit’s engine produces a buzzy whine under acceleration-especially at higher engine speeds. Bump noise is well suppressed, but wind and road noise combine for raucous highway travel.

When set in an ideal position, the steering wheel might obscure the top of the speedometer, but the Fit’s deep-set gauges are otherwise easy to see. Rotary climate controls are stacked to the right of the steering wheel, easy to reach and use. Audio controls are high-mounted, handy, and clearly marked. Honda’s navigation system (if installed) absorbs some audio controls, but most of the commonly used ones remain separate. Sport models have slightly richer cloth upholstery and a leather-covered steering wheel, but hard plastic dominates the interior of both versions. Still, the overall look is par for the subcompact course.

Front seats lack a height adjustment, but they’re mounted high enough to provide most drivers with a fairly commanding seating position. The seats themselves are comfortable and provide plenty of headroom, but taller drivers might crave more legroom. There’s no center console-and thus no center-console armrest-but Sport models have a seat-mounted fold-down armrest on the driver’s side. Visibility is fine except to the rear corners. Views are better straight back than in the previous Fit, thanks to rear headrests that retract flush with the tops of the seatbacks. One glaring oversight: The sunvisors are worthless when rotated to the sides, as they’re both far too short and mounted too high to be of much use.

For such a small vehicle, the Fit provides an amazing amount of rear-seat space. Headroom and legroom are more than adequate for adults, even with the front seats fully rearward.

Cargo space is Fit’s forte. The rear-seat cushion can be tipped up to provide a tall across-floor cargo slot. Rear seatbacks easily fold flat to provide a large, cubic storage area. The front passenger seatback can be folded flat to accommodate long, narrow items. Each Fit has 10 cupholders-which can double as storage bins-along with several smaller cubbies, a decent-sized glovebox, an under-seat tray, and map pockets, but no center console box.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2010 Honda Fit Sport w/auto

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 3
30%
Fuel Economy - 9
90%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 7
70%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 5
50%
Cargo Room - 8
80%

Other

Value - 8
80%

Total: 57

Specifications

4-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
98.4 161.6 66.7 60.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
57.3 10.6 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.4 39.0 41.3 34.5
4-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
98.4 162.0 67.7 62.2
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
49.2 — 5.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.4 37.3 41.3 35.2
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2009 Fit 4-door hatchback

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 4
80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Blower motor
Description: The blower motor may only work on high speed. An improved motor along with a new blower resistor must be installed. (2009)
Doors
Description: The front armrests may crack over time, requiring replacement of the door panels. (2009)
Oil leak
Description: Oil can leak from the cam-chain case cover. (2009)
Antenna
Description: The radio reception may be poor due to problems with the antenna or subcomponents. (2009-10)
Clock
Description: The clock may display the wrong time, requiring replacement of the navigation unit on vehicles so equipped. (2009)
Fuel economy
Description: The driver information display reports better fuel economy than actual, requiring reprogramming the module. (2009)

Recall History

2009-10 Fit
Description: A failure of the engine’s variable valve timing lift electronic control (VTEC) could cause the engine to stall.
2012-13 Fit Sport
Description: Electronic stability control may allow excessive vehicle rotation (yaw) and increase the risk of a crash.
2013 Fit with manual transmission
Description: The right-side driveshaft may break and result in loss of power while driving or the vehicle could roll while parked.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on April 21, 2016.
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