I LOVE THE FIT. Dollar for dollar, it might be the best car in the world. $16k buys you an extremely well sorted, roomy, sporty enough family car that is safe reliable and efficient. It's perfect.
I test drove this and the Fiesta, and my gosh it was a shocker. The Fit should be in its own higher class than the Fiesta. The powertrain is smooth and the suspension does a really good job. I'm 6'1 and 155 lbs, and I sit pretty comfortably in the drivers seat. It's also a little bit more affordable than the Fiesta. A definite buy-it for me.
Curious, how was leg room in both? I'm a little over 6' myself, 250lbs. I've been looking at both the Fiesta (that 1.0L 3Cyl looks really interesting) and the Fit, but I'm concerned about feeling like I'm jammed in there as a driver.
demoncleaner80 go for the Honda fit it's way more reliable then the Ford. Ford ecoboost are horrid with reliability. Look up Ford's problems with these craps engines.
demoncleaner80 For me, I have short legs and a long torso, and I have mediocre sized legs. The seats provide great support for tight turns. Also since I'm pretty skinny my thighs have enough space to move around. Since I am 6'1, I had around 1 to 2 inches of headroom left. The Fiesta while great, isn't as good as the Honda. When I got in the Fiesta, the first thing I noticed, was that it was extremely narrow. It had about the same headroom as the fit bit the steering wheel was strangely low. Thus, I chose the Fit and oh, don't forget that it is miles reliable than the Ford.
Nice review. I'm seriously considering trading in my 2011 Fit for a 2016. The Fit has definitely been my favorite Honda, of all the ones I've owned or driven, even better than the 88 CRX Si I had in the day.
I got a red 2015 Fit less than a month ago and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I'm getting much higher than the 33 city/41 hwy too with my LX model's automatic tranny! I had a Fiat Pop, which was adorable, but had no power and no cargo room. My Fit named Ruby rules!
lifeisgood070 It varies. Winter blend gas just made my mpg drop...and I'm mostly doing city driving now. My range has been from 33-ish to 55! The 55 was extreme driving though, mostly coasting downhill. I'm mostly mid 30s at the moment. If I was doing mostly highway I'd be in the 40s.
I love my 2015..as a senior easy in and out. The 2 greatest features are that the back seats go up. Easy to put shopping cart in and walker. Putting them in the trunk has always been difficult for me..the other feature are the right turn camera and the reverse one. Just love my car!
Yet again, Nathan and I get to share quality time together, untroubled by the hoi polloi. Two intellectual giants, at the forefront of their respective fields, sharing world altering ideas. It doesn't get any better than this. Of course, I'm far too modest to mention it.
Bought a used 2015 fit ex model .. such a great buy. This darn thing still has more amenities than a lot of newer cars-- plus the mpg on it is fantastic.
I have a 2011 Honda Fit for my long commute to work and just love it. i agree with everything you said on the car. Thanks for all the hard work you guys put into your reviews. Awesome job!!
I had a 2009 Sport, loved it; roomy ( i was 360 pounds), pratical, economical, fun to drive. But it was a manual and got tired of shifting in heavy traffic, noizy and not comfortable at all on bumpy roads. But i miss it...
I got one in August. It is a very well engineered car for any price. I get over forty mpg, quite an improvement over the 24 I got in the H6 Outback sedan. The gas savings almost completely negate the lease payment. Definitely recommend it.
I wish you guys in America had a wider choice in euro cars. I'd like to see how the Fit/Jazz measures up against the VW Polo, Renault Clio, Citroen C3 and Peugeot 208. I'd probably either get the Honda or the Clio if I were needing a car in that class. Awesome review as usual Nathan!
Great review, We have the (Jazz) RS spec here in NZ. This is our third Jazz from new and it's miles apart from the previous generations in terms of spec and quality. Punchy little engine and the cvt is brilliant. These are flying out the showroom, great to see Honda is back, 2015 will be an epic year for Honda, Civic Type R, F1, NSX
I agree the rear seat needs to go further back, the center console needs to be brought up, Honda Link needs to support Android (it's suppose to be coming) a volume knob (you can use the steering wheel buttons), soft touch padding on the arm rest and on the top of the door card, the EX trim should have tinted windows, beef up the cargo floor cover (you can help this with the optional cargo mat), a second light on the left side of the cargo area (you can mod this and add one yourself), an armrest with cup holder for the back seats (only has a bottle holder in the door) and more sound insulation. Either way i'd still buy / lease one.
My Grandma bought a Honda Fit (Jazz here in Germany) two years ago, i test drove it and was impressed because it was so much better than i first thought, not sure how it performs as a daily driver but my first impression was very positiv.
Just got a 2016 Hybrid 5 version. Absolutely love it. Got it for the wife an I, but mostly my wife. Now I want my own one, and want to lighten it and trick it up 🏎 🚘
I was able to drive this car six months ago along with Hyundai's offering and Toyota's. The quality, ergonomics and functionality differences are absolutely staggering. This car is fantastic, no other car in it's class can come close. Even the new direct injected DOHC engine is powerful and throaty believe it or not. I would consider buying this over another Civic especially now that it comes in an EX-L version.
Since when is driving a yellow car "demasculating"? From Miatas to S2000 to Lambos yellow is a very nice color, albeit only a very few cars can pull it off. BTW, I think the word is emasculating.
Thanks for the comment. Actually no we didn't. That's not the type of review that TFL produces. We figure all that info is easily available on the manufacturers web site. Our goal is to always to produce unique, fun informative and entertaining reviews.
***** it all depends on what you want in terms of a car wise. either A, a car to get you from point a to b. or B a car with a little more features which you can use everyday and on weekend. also your budget. You can get a sportier driving car (mazda 3 or ford focus) for the same price. or AWD for all weather traction can go with a Subaru impreza hatchback.. Nissan versa note isnt a bad car, reliablity of a nissan, good gas mileage, space and so on.. but it comes at a price of performance.
I hate how they went with a mainstream design for the interior. They got rid of the dual gloveboxes and cupholders right by the air vents that were on the previous gen Fit
A crossover version of the Fit will be available this winter with AWD, so that's always an option. blog.caranddriver.com/acronyms-r-us-2015-honda-fit-based-crossover-to-be-called-hr-v-2014-new-york-auto-show/
Watching this video was a blast! We just bought my personal trainer (my border collie) a 2015 Honda Fit. Sadly had to register it in my name as they will not allow canines to be car owners! Who knew! This "new to me" car is the successor to my 1999 Honda Civic Hatchback which used to carry all the doggy paraphernalia to dog events but I needed more room for more Agiilty equipment and a future puppy. As it has so many features that are more complicated than my 99 Civic HB (for example, hey, you just use the key vs. having to read the manual on how to lock and unlock the Fit!) I am looking at as many videos as I can. At 2:06 on this one I rushed in to ask my husband the very issue that you brought up of mega import "hey hubby, do you feel "emasculated" when driving Yellow Car? " His response "nope, that is what I have a little Italian-American wife for!". " So yay! As for fitting in the car I am only 5 foot so no problemo. In fact I volunteer to sit in any car if you need a "properly sized" driver, not an "overly tall" one as we say in our Petite World. L0L! The rest of the vid was mostly you driving it around which was fun to listen to. What I need now are videos on how to use some of the features. We thought the front windshield washer was defective as it would not stop doing intermittent swiping - only to discover it was just fine! We are turning the wrong part. So not all is immediately obvious to some of us used to much older models. Looking forward to more of your entertaining and informative videos.
Nice review, Nathan. I own a 2012 Fit Sport/5A (no CVT, has paddle shifters) and it's a blast to drive. Everything you said about it is true. However, I kind of wish Honda would have done a sport version of the new Fit. The sport really gives the car a solid road feel although admittedly, you do feel every bump and crack in the road but it pretty well dampened and handles very well for a subcompact. However, I think the new design, especially when compared to the previous model, seems like it's trying too hard to be modern. I like it but then I step back and think that I may wait until the next gen to upgrade. I think they should have kept the previous design and added some character lines and modest scoops. But, it's still a fine car. Well worth the money.
***** You're probably right, but hopefully things are changing. They just made available the HPD mods for the CR-Z, so hopefully they'll start offering better-performing models again across the line. Can only hope, right?
my only gripe with tfl reviews are the revving that they do in the beginings..what normal consumer will need to know about that info for regular people cars
The Honda Fit/Jazz is surely the perfect car for the new students. it's comfy, economical and pretty nice to drive. However the design is much of a preference means not everyone will like it.
This is a good review, and all true. I have a 2017 (in Silver, much nicer color). I'm a small guy so issues obviously. I had considered a Ford Fiesta but didn't drive one, and here's why: the overall safety rating on a Fiesta was marginal, the overall on a Fit is five star. Perhaps some people don't care about that, and only care how zippy the engine is or how well the doors close (fwiw, never had trouble with that and don't feel the Fit is cheap feeling). Nicest car I ever owned (may say more about my previous cars, but I love the Fit).
I had Lincoln Towncar (V8) and now I own a 2015 H FIT EX ;-) love it , yeah its a little "noisier" than a lincoln if you all understand .... I fueled it up for the first time today with 22 dollars compared to 60-70 dollars for my lincoln lol ...... anyways I love my FIT suspension and driving is awesome
Fidel Aguirre Hi, transition is not that bad.... no arm rest and maybe you will be trying to locate the shifter on the steering column for a few weeks lol but you will def see a difference when you go to the gas station ;-)
+Jay Guerrero I used to drive a 2012 Honda Fit Sport (alas, that car was destroyed in an accident when someone ran a red light and totaled the front end of the car. :-( ). Fortunately, I got a 2015 Fit EX CVT and I love it: yes, the engine does have diesel-like sounds (it does, after all, use direct fuel injection), but I love the better ride, excellent fuel economy and better acceleration of the new car. I do wish the car stereo was easier to master, though.
so what if you paid more to fuel up the caddy, all that means is it is a bigger fuel tank. whenever people ask me what does it cost to fill up my Prius, I always ask them why does it matter? what matters is how many mules per $$ spent. $$ per tank = tank size times price per gallon.
I used to own a 2015 1.3es 101 bhp. jazz.Many things about it I loved but the two things that let it down for me was the brakes,too sharp at low speed and the din the engine made on accelleration
I tried this car the other day... And my only concern is the headrests.... I dont know why, no matter how I adjust them, the headrest push my head forward... I can't sitback and relax, I have to keep my head slightly separated from the top part of the driver or passenger seat, otherwise I get an uncomfortable pain in the neck. I understand that their shape is for the head protection, but that shape is not comfortable... Or at least in my case. First car I found with that weird headrest position.. I have a CR-V and it doesnt happen to me with that one.
wtrdogg20 The previous generation Fusion and a Ford pickup (cars at work) both do that for me. Would have to get something else, or have a shop bend the supports or something.
I bought mine in 2009, has 130,000 mostly trouble free miles on it. #2 spark plug loosens up on some including mine. A $200 non-Honda garage bill fixed that with a new insert, plug & labor. The front disc brake pads at 125,000 miles have the same amount of brake pad thickness as the new after market set I bought so I'm not going to change them yet. Not bad for 11 years of dependability. I'll never sell mine. I wish I'd bought Hondas when they first arrived in America. The amount of time I'd spent under the hood begging cars I owned to keep running could have been spent doing better things.
Just "upgraded" from a 2009 manual to 2015 ex cvt ($13.5k ...eff this economy). I quite like it. 110k miles. For having more power it gets better gas mileage. The 2009 manual is geared so poorly, on these 80mph highways in utah/idaho/nevada, I'd get maybe 26mpgs bc the rpms would be up at 3800-4100 range. Oh my hell it was loud! Anyway. I got a settlement from the accident and only paid about 6700 out of pocket. Not a bad upgrade at all!
+John Kang google depreciation of cars. or cost of ownership. example: www.edmunds.com/honda/fit/2015/cost-to-own/ By all means get a new one if you want one. Just try to avoid the last 3 model years. It's not about saving money or spending less. It's about being able to spend more money on the things deeply close to your heart.
I found the center console with armrest new on e-bay for the Honda Fit for $44. "Rotatable Storage Box Armrest Center Console For Honda Fit Jazz 2009-2013 12 11" Brand: XUKEY. Made in California.
I am actually considering one [with the CVT, . . .yeah, I know, but....]. It all depends on whether or not I like the Civic more, but I AM impressed with the utility of it.
Just bought one a couple of days ago.. no arm rest, needs a radio volume knob and a portion of the driver's ear mirror is weirdly warped, it confuses me when I try to merge lanes. Other than that it's a great car.
Jesus, this thing is asking for a performance model I mean look at the thing, even the name would sound nice "2016 Honda Fit Si", If this gets a turbo up to 200hp, the fiesta ST is getting serious fucking competition!
Personally I think the 2.4 from the si should go in here. Then maybe they could put a proper 2.0 turbo in the si to stay relevant and competitive. They could even just throw a modern day 1.8 with direct injection and such and get a cool 200hp which would make this thing a blast to drive.
Mr. Adlen, which would you recommend more for small family, the Fitt or the Mazda5? I ask since I believe you've mentioned that you own a Mazda5 in your other videos, and you've just mentioned you're colleagues own Fitts. Why didn't you slap it's tush?
The Mazda5 is great for families when they must have seating for six. It's the only car currently sold in North America that has three rows and a manual transmission option. The utility of the Mazda5 is impressive too. Still, it IS a tiny minivan. If you don't need that extra seat, the Honda Fit is cheaper, more frugal and has a better resale value. As for slapping the car's tush? Well, I only do that with sexy rearends... the Fit's was okay - but didn't warrant a slap.
I drove the manual and automatic....manual more fun but short gearing has it screaming on the highway....3500 rpm at 75....the automatic was 2100 at 60 and the stick was doing 3000.
Thinking about getting one I saw some dealers sell it over msrp with dealer fees etc and it ends up over msrp !! I will have to talk them down sweet ride !!
Driving one is like always carrying around a Leatherman multi-purpose pocket tool. Nothing glamorous or luxurious, but man is it utilitarian. It screams on-road practicality, functionality, all in a cute (my sister said that, not me) computer mouse-like shape. A bro-magnet vehicle, if there ever was one.
The review mentioned that Honda moved the gas tank underneath the driver's seat. Is there any safety issue regarding that? I know that the Honda Fit is 1 of 2 minicars (Chevy Spark being the other) as Top Safety Pick by IIHS for 2015. I don't much about cars but knowing that the gas tank is underneath the driver's seat scares me.
Ben Moran Yeah, the Mythbusters tested that and found that gas explosions are actually rare. They even had a flame going into a tank without any explosion happening.
***** sorry don't think so, fiesta is plastic toy with not funny engine (engine is fast but missing something) and gearbox feels not so smooth like hondas. my opinion honda haves better build quality and are lots more fun to drive, more driver focused.
Doubt it will happen anytime soon. The engine bay is pretty tight and with the fuel tank under the front seats, it's only 10.6 gallons. Even with the great mileage of the Fit, it's still tight on range. A sportier engine would get much less gas mileage, giving pitiful range before refueling. The car would have to be redesigned to accommodate for a larger tank.
oldtwins Agreed with the gas tank capacity issue and the engine bay. But watch, someone will make an aftermarket kit that bumps this engine up to 200 HP, yeah it will void the warranty but people who buy aftermarket kits don't care about tat anyways
does it have oil Dilution problems due to the earth dreams fuel injection technology, Apparently the Honda HRV had issues with fuel mixing with engine oil. I was looking to buy a 2015 used Honda Jazz.
Does any Fit owner have problems with sitting so low---especially at stop sign intersections where cars are parked right up to corners on right & left, hindering your view of oncoming traffic ?
I drove the Scion iA and I have to say its better than the Fit in several ways: No CVT, iA has 42mpg vs Fit 37mpg, iA handling is better, You can get a manual with iA, touchscreen is standard in iA. The manual is only avail on base trims Fit. The interior of the iA is excellent! All for $16,500! Zoom Zoom!
A 2.0 and a Type R transmission and that thing would be a little rocket. A K18 would be plenty of engine also. If only I was rich enough to blow money 8(
It's a pleasant surprise that there's a manual transmission available. Most foreigners have an impression that Americans seem to prefer CVTs or automatic transmissions.
A lot of Americans prefer manual. The only issue is that they tend to only come with super basic models. Which is kinda sad since it would a buyer nearly $1000 on all trims
I wish honda would stay to its original honda fit concept in the future. And not make the fit bigger. Like todays civic is getting bigger and bigger its like the size of a camry
