If the Shoe Fits, Take it For a Test Drive

After Three Years, We Can Still Get Into the Honda Fit

For the first time in Kicking Asphalt history we’re re-reviewing a high mileage car. Back in January, 2008 we covered the 2007 Honda Fit, which was released for the first time in the United States in 2006. A member got in touch and asked our opinion of the new model, so we thought we’d go ahead and take another close look. Three model years later, it’s still a good fit.

In addition to being inexpensive and fuel efficient (people considering buying an Insight should take a look), the Fit is the safest and roomiest car in the subcompact class. Responsive handling also makes it fun to drive and very well suited to city maneuverability.

And, while earlier Fit models were criticized for their cheap looking interiors, the 2010 redesign brought with it a higher quality interior styling that adds visual appeal to the Fit’s space efficiency (it has 20.6 cubic feet of cargo room and comfortably seats two adults in the back seat). The newest Fit also has a more detailed and aerodynamic exterior, although it’s still a taller hatchback, so it can’t help looking a little like a mini minivan.

We liked the 2007 Fit. And, with Honda’s design improvements, we can only say we like the 2010 Fit more. If you’re looking to purchase a subcompact, you should definitely try the 2010 Fit on for size.

Things People Like About The Fit (May not apply to all model years):

- Space efficient/high quality interior
- Responsive, nimble handling
- Safety (excellent crash test ratings for a compact car)

Things People Don’t Like About The Fit (May not apply to all model years):

- Not very sexy (looks like a scaled down minivan)
- Lots of road noise at high speeds
- Small gas tank limits convenience of fuel efficiency on long drives

MSRP:

MSRP: $14,900 - $19,110 (5-Spd AT reviewed here $15,700)

Fuel Economy Stats:

Estimated EPA MPG: 28 (city), 35 (hwy), 31 (combined)
Cost to Drive 25 Miles: $2.18
Fuel to Drive 25 Miles: 0.81 gal
Cost of a Fill-up: $25.76
Miles on a Tank: 296 miles
Tank Size: 10.6 gal
Annual Fuel Cost*: $1265
Annual Petroleum Consumption (1 barrel=42 gallons): 11 barrels/year

[*Based on 45% highway, 55% city driving, 15000 annual miles and a fuel price of $ 2.70 per gallon.]

Warranty:

Basic: 36,000 miles / 36 months
Powertrain: 60,000 / 60 months
Rust: Unimited miles / 60 months

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty covers repair/replacement of any body panel that rusts from inside out. Rust that does not perforate, but is caused by defect in material or workmanship is covered under Basic Warranty.

Tires: Covered by manufacturer
Original Battery: Unlimited miles / 36 months

Replacement Battery Limited Warranty covers 100% for the first 12 months, then is prorated thereafter for the remaining two years. Credit is given towards the purchase of a new battery.

Replacement Parts: 12,000 miles / 12 months

Replacement Parts Limited Warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. Parts purchased from but not installed by Honda dealer are covered for 12 months. Parts purchased from and installed by Honda dealer are covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Frontal Crash, Side Crash, And Rollover Tests:

NHTSA rates crash-tested vehicles by assigning them one to five stars. A five-star rating indicates the most injury protection, while one star indicates the least protection.

Driver Front: 5 Stars
Passenger Front: 5 Stars
Front Side: 5 Stars
Rear Side: 4 Stars
Rollover: 4 Stars

Recalls:

To date there have been no recalls for the 2010 Honda Fit.

Standard Features:
- Power Door Locks
- Vehicle Anti-Lockout
- Vehicle Anti-Theft Via Engine Immobilizer
- Child Safety Door Locks Located on Rear Doors
- Front Power 262 mm Ventilated Disc and Rear Power 201 mm Drum Brakes
- 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution
- Drive-By-Wire ™ Throttle System Drive-By-Wire Control for Throttle
- Front Power Outlet
- Battery
- ULEV II Emissions
- 1.5-Liter i-VTEC(R), I4, 16-Valve, SOHC, MPFI Engine; Front Mounted With Horsepower Of 117@6600, Torque Of 106@4800, Alloy Block and Alloy Cylinder Head
- 100,000-Miles Extended Service Interval For Tune-Up
- Radio Antenna
- Radio Data System
- Auxiliary Audio Input Jack
- AM/FM Radio With 160-Watts, Speed Sensitive Volume and 4 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3/WMA Player
- Halogen Headlights
- Daytime Running Lights
- Metallic Paint (If Selected)
- Front Air Dam
- Front and Rear Body Color Impact-Absorbing Bumpers
- Manual Air Conditioning
- Interior Particle and Pollen Air Filter
- Audible Warnings Include Headlights-On
- Digital Clock
- Trip Computer With Instantaneous Fuel Consumption, Average Fuel Consumption and Trip Odometer
- Tachometer
- Tire Pressure Monitor
- Warning Lights Include Brake System, Door Ajar, Low Fuel, Oil Low, Seatbelts Unfastened and Oil Pressure
- Maintenance Minder(TM) System Maintenance Interval Indicator For Oil Quality and Air Filter
- Interior Load Area Light
- Carpet Located In Passenger Cabin and Cargo Area
- Passenger Airbag With Dual Threshold, Dual Stage Deployment
- Front and Rear Crumple Zones
- L A T C H
- Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor
- Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags
- Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters
- Front Pretensioners
- Side Guard Door Beams
- Driver Airbag With Dual Threshold, Dual Stage Deployment
- Front Active Head Restraints
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering (Ace(TM)) Body Structure
- Rear 3-Point Center Seatbelt
- Front and Rear Side Head Curtain Airbags Located In Headliner
- Magic Seat(R) Rear 60/40 Split Folding Reclining Bench Seat With Adjustable Headrests
- Front Dual Reclining Folding Bucket Seats With Adjustable Headrests
- Cloth Seats
- Tilt Steering Column
- Telescopic Steering Column
- Electric Power Rack and Pinion Variable Assisted Steering
- Cargo Area Tiedown Hooks
- Front Dual Door Mounted Storage
- Glovebox
- Passenger Seatback Storage Pocket
- 10 Cupholders Total
- Front Open Lower Console Storage
- Cargo Storage Pocket
- Rear Underseat Storage
- 22-mm Front Stabilizer Bar
- Semi-Independent Torsion Beam Rear Suspension With Coil Springs and Shock Absorbers
- Independent MacPherson Strut Front Suspension With Coil Springs and Shock Absorbers
- Rear Stabilizer Bar
- 5-Speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
- Compact Spare Tire
- Steel Wheels, 15-In.
- SBRP175/65R15 84S, All-Season Tires
- Driver and Passenger Vanity Mirrors
- Power Window Lockout
- Dual Black Folding Power Adjustable Exterior Rearview Mirrors
- Front Dual Sunvisors
- Rear Window Wiper/Washer
- Tinted Glass
- Intermittent Windshield Wipers
- Power Windows With Driver One-Touch Up and One-Touch Down
- Rear Window Defroster
Technical Specs:

Standard Engine: 1.5L I4
Standard Transmission: Manual 5 Speed
Cylinders: 4
Horsepower @ RPM: 109@5800
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 28 / 34
Combined Fuel Economy: 31
EPA Class: Sub-Compact
Number of Valves: 16
Fuel Type: Gas Engine
Overdrive Transmission: Yes
Cruising Range: 328.6 miles
Cargo Volume: N/A
Fuel Capacity: 10.6
Brakes (Front): Disc
Brakes (Rear): Drum
Driveline: Front Wheel Drive
Steering: Rack & Pinion
Suspension (Front): Independent
Suspension (Rear): Semi-Independent
Tire Wheel Diameter: 15 in.
Seating: 5
Headroom (Front): 40.4
Headroom (Back): 39.0
Curb Weight: 2575
Height: 60.0
Length: 161.6
Wheelbase: 98.4
Width: 66.7
Doors: 4

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