When it debuted in the United States in early 2006, the Honda Fit had already been an international star for five years in Japan. Its popularity then quickly also grew in Europe, Australia, South America and Mexico and it likewise moved to the top of the subcompact segment in the U.S.
That success rate is not likely to change with the 2015 Honda Fit. After a year’s hiatus, the Fit is back. It’s been redesigned to face head-on increased competition in the segment. There’s more cargo room and there’s better gas mileage. And there are more standard features and more options, all further expanding the definition and expectations of an entry-level car.
Key Takeaways
- Test car: the EX-L with Navi, the most expensive Fit trim, with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, 130 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission.
- $21,745 MSRP for the car tested.
- 0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds.
- 32 mpg city and 37 highway with the automatic.
- Cargo: 52.7 cubic feet with both rear seatbacks folded down. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Fit is the total cargo space.
- Space: As a subcompact, the Fit has good interior space, including in the back seat where there’s ample legroom.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
The 2015 Honda Fit is offered in LX, EX, EX-L and EX-L with Navi trim levels. My weekly driver was the latter (and most expensive) offering. It pushes the Fit’s price to nearly $22,000, and that’s for a sub-compact.
The EX-L with Navi trim, like the same status with the Honda Civic, adds to the long list of standard features on the lower level trims. It’s a comprehensive package, far more than might be expected. It includes Honda’s LaneWatch blind-spot display and an elaborate list technology features from an HDMI input to Pandora functionality to fully smartphone application integration.
The top-line EX-L trim adds: heated mirrors, leather upholstery and heated front seats. The EX-L with Navi adds, of course, a navigation system with voice recognition as well as HD and satellite radio upgrades.
The 2015 Fit’s exterior is recognizable from its predecessor, but barely. The new version features sharp angles, oversized front and rear lights, a more upscale-looking grille and a more pronounced rear end. The interior also has a new look with a more handsome design and improved material quality.
Space and Cargo
As a subcompact, the Fit has good interior space, including in the back seat where there’s ample legroom. Like a lot of vehicles with manufacturer’s claims of five-passenger seating, the Fit is a better fit for four adults.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Fit is the total cargo space. How does a subcompact have some much interior space? One answer is the so-called back “Magic Seat.” It can fold in multiple directions. The result is optimal configurations for cargo or passenger entry and exit.
With both rear seatbacks folded down, the Fit has 52.7 cubic feet of cargo room, not too much less than some smaller crossovers. With the Fit’s front passenger seat folded flat, items nearly eight-feet long will fit.
Driving Impressions
With its 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, 130-horsepower engine with a six-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Honda Fit shouldn’t be expected to break land speed records. But for its class, it’s no slouch, with a 0-60 mph test time of 8.8 seconds.
2015 Honda Fit Verdict
On the open road, the Honda Fit drives predictably. It’s a lightweight vehicle, so it doesn’t have a lot of authority. And compared to previous years’ models, the new Fit has more engine noise at freeway speeds.
On the contrary, in city driving the Fit is at its best. It maneuvers well through traffic, has a tight turning radius and is right at home, as it should be, in tight parking spaces. Overall road vision is impressive, in part because the Fit has 10 windows. It’s another reason why the Fit has a larger presence than its subcompact status.
Likes
Large, versatile cargo area. Great fuel economy ratings. Roomy back seat. Comfortable, composed ride.
Dislikes
Noisy engine. Confusing touch-screen audio system. Not available as a sedan.
Facts & Figures: 2015 Honda Fit
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $21,745 |
| Engine | 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 130 hp |
| Transmission | Continuously variable (CVT) |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 8.8 seconds |
| Fuel Economy | 32 city / 37 highway / 34 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| Cargo (rear seats folded) | 52.7 cubic feet |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 3 yr/36,000 mi; powertrain 5 yr/60,000 mi; corrosion 5 yr/unlimited; roadside assistance 3 yr/36,000 mi |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
I’m surprised at the price. It looks like an entry level car, but the price is over $20k. That seems like a lot for a subcompact car.