The Smoking Tire heads out to Adams Motorsports Park with the gold standard of small cars: The Honda Fit. We analyze the name literally: How much will it fit? and How Sporty is it?
My daily driver is a 2010 Fit. I will drive it to its grave. It's the best car I've ever owned. It's just so practical. I can fit inflated float tubes in it for when I go fishing. I can get 40mpg when I drive it to the river from CA. I get great mpg for my daily life. It's a fantastic car.
When the engine is ready do an overhaul, the 2nd gen is very desirable as it had the best balance of suspension, power, and a stiffened overall design. You have the manual right?
I bought my Fit in 2010 because of this review. Didn't know stick but got the manual just because it looked so fun in this video. Still fun to drive and has been very reliable. It's a 20 year car.
I bought a Milano Red '13 Fit Sport 5spd in the summer of 2013 and it has been an awesome commuter car. I was averaging 39mpg before putting on a Thule roof rack for hauling my mountain bike, and that mileage dropped down to about 37mpg.This car is a hoot on tight twisty roads though. The manual trans is slick and precise, the engine sounds good, and these cars are pretty much bullet-proof. Time will tell with the '15 Fit, but the second-gen Fit is a winner!
This comment is old but I'm curious, why the thule rack? I've read that with the magic seat up that you can store a bike with its wheels on? Just curious.
I drive an "07 Fit and it handles great. I do have upgraded tires, even though I liked the Dunlops the car came with; the Michelin all weather tires made a huge difference in cornering and especially in the rain. It is super versatile and a blast to drive. defineately a bargain if thats the type of all around car you are looking for.
I drive in a small town. I also drive highways. Both speedy city and laid back country .I average 37 Mpg. Wow and has cargo space. for shopping and put back seats down for people. I can haul 4 people for short 150 mile trips ! very dependable.And fun to drive Auto. I love Honda . This car is sooo much fun!Very dependable!
I'v had my 2009 Honda Fit Sport, since 2009. I love my fit, the gas mileage is teriffic, usually 40 42 mpg, I fill the tank, once a week, some times i go a week and a half. I LOVE my FIT
Thats great milage. I can tell you that's very true average milage. This guys are rev the car in the video for lap time porposes, wich logically is low. But in reallity its very different. I have a manual 09 fit sport with 164k and as well, and combined its about 43 to 44 mpg.. & always go to the speed limit for keep it. I always put 3/4 of gas on the tank and i pay only $19. 😎
This is why i subscribed! you guys rock, i love how you are not above testing any car! its nice to be able to watch a review on cars that most of us can afford, rather than forcing us to drool over cars we could never own....but then again its fun to watch those as well from time to time! keep up the good work! i cant wait to see more on that new raptor!
@TBH5566 If I had gotten to test the V6 with a stick and the track pack, it may have been a different story. I tested a base, automatic model with no track pack. And the Civic SI and Fit were vastly more fun to drive than the Genesis I tested. Rear wheel drive isn't the end-all and be-all of fun in a car.
I'm in the market for a car and seriously considering the Fit. This video was far more helpful than most of the videos I found from places like Car & Driver or Motor Trend.
Great video man. This covered everything I wanted to know about the Fit. All the other reviews just show how economical it is. Thanks for taking it out on the track.
Great Video Awesome Review! Keep them coming like this Matt! These past 4 Episodes have truly been great. Real down to earth reviews from a car guy. Love the show!
I have a 2007 Fit Sport and your reviews are spot on! I really like your review on the Miata. Keep up the good work and keep your reviews honest without letting the naysayers affect your future reviews.
@Corveette the iphone and ipod touch have built-in accelerometers, so you only need an inexpensive app to make them work like GTech or VBox accelerometers. The most basic one i know of is the Dynolicious (see our video test on the old channel) and there are some that are GPS based as well for road courses. Very cool stuff, check the app store for "car telemetry, acceleration, g-force" and i'm sure you'll find a few.
@outlawsonic we can't win. we drive exotics, and people complain that we're driving cars they can't afford. So we drive affordable cars, and people complain that they are boring. Which is why we drive a healthy mix of sports cars and "normal" cars.
@MrRednijlad yes, it's relatively light, with a good steering rack and a short wheelbase, which makes it handle well. If you're a real corner carver or autocrosser, you're going to want new tires though, because the stock Bridgestone Turanza's suck.
i never comment on RU-vid but your review was sooooooo great i had to comment. :-) you really sold me to the FIT :-) i really loved your energy and how honest you came across your review!!! EXCELLENT JOB Matt!!!
@racewithferrari the name "the smoking tire" refers more to a play on "the smoking gun" than actually doing burnouts. If we did burnouts in every single car we tested, it would simply be a matter of time before people wouldn't give us cars to test anymore.
I commute every day. Mostly interstate. I have a 5 speed. I get 39-40 mpg. I set the cruise control at 70 in the interstate until I get into heavier traffic.
Any suggestions on a good double din head unit? My girlfriend just bought this exact car for 9k but we're probably gonna swap out that headunit immediately lmao looks so damn old!
@OneOfaKind949 In SF, we raced auto vs. auto in an autocross, and the Fiesta was 1.2 seconds faster. However, the stick Fit is faster than the auto Fit, so we don't exactly know. Hopefully we'll get another Fiesta soon and run a lap with it to see.
Got an '11 last September. This is such a great car. I love it! First trip was a football game, perfect for tailgating even with 3 passengers. Still had room for grill, food, beverages, games and other items.
@MrSilviaMania I'm not an engineer, and don't have an answer for you. My best guess would be that moving the exhaust mainfolds behind the radiators would increase airflow over the plumbing and possibly help the catalytic converters reduce emissions?
@eatpogs if you're really in the market for one of these cars, you should go drive them both for comparison, and check for that kind of very specific information while you're there.
Great Review Matt &Tom, I own the honda Fit in Indonesia, Every points you says about the car is definitely true. I could not agree more, I use the car for trackday at times and also felt the slipping and sliding accelerating out of slow corners cause of the open diff.. haha.. You guys really know how to communicate with the car and pass the feel to the viewers, which is very awesome and not all car journalist/ reviewers know how to. Continue on keeping it real guys!! hope to c u in Indonesia.
You can also easily remove the front seat by removing 4 easy to access bolts. You should see the look on people's faces when you open your "subcompact commuter" car to reveal a large dining room table and chairs. This car keeps impressing me over, and over again.
Ive driven these vehicles on private circuits as a driver trainer. They handle exceptionally well, their limits are incredibly high, they are beautifully balanced at 10/10ths. Most owners will never experience their true potential. The limiting factor being as Matt mentions, tires. (an easy fix) but for everyday use tires are fine. I highly recommend them as a do-it-all car that driving enthusiasts will enjoy with minimal costs. Not bad for something that doesn't claim to be a sports car or hot hatch, in fact, will shame many that do. Its a chassis thats screaming out for an "R Type"
@allabouthorsepower there is a really cool Fit running in the RedLine Time Attack series... it's white. I don't know what team is running it, but points for creativity....
Hi Matt! I LOVE your vids--they are no-nonsense and cover most points I always look for. My wife and I are in the market for a Fiesta/Fit, and decided on the Fiesta for a few reasons (we are still looking for the right one with color/trim/options): The Fiesta's power band has better top demeanor with lower noise. I test drove both, and noted on the same stretch of roadway (with both cars taken to 70 MPH) that the Fiesta was turning 2,800 RPM;s and the Fit 3,200 RPM's.
I bought the 2012 about a month ago, I was on the fence but your review put me over the fence. great car, I'm getting much better real world driving, fits my co workers in the back and no one complains.
I love the Fit! I drive 30 curvy miles to work every day, and it gets the job done in a fun fashion. I have the base model 09, and the clutch is not quite as smooth as they say, but running the engine to 5000 RPM before shifting smooths it out quite nicely.
Well done Matt, that was a good concise review of performance, form and function. I'd still have the Fiesta I think, but that cool little Honda certainly is worth consideration.
The Fiesta has more gadgets and better materials on the interior. The Fit has more head and legroom for bigger people. The Fiesta is quicker, but only if you get the 6-speed automatic. I personally think the FIt is more fun to drive. Other than that, pretty much the same thing.
Awesome review man! I showed this review to a friend, and he bought a Fit over the weekend. oh, and he also put new tires in it, and will be adding a turbo soon. :) can't wait to see the numbers it would do with one driver and a turbo. ;-)
@TheSmokingTire I love the fact that you take cars for what they are. You do great reviews and really break it down well. You honestly can get me excited about any car slow or fast. I genuine love for cars no Fanboyism.
Thank you for doing a review on this. I was actually in a market for fit but became a little shaken by the new fiesta. But after watching this review I think fit will fit me more. I have yet to test drive both cars though. If I were to own one of these cars, which one do you think will be more track ready? I also want to take into account the aftermarket support for both cars.
@wiganda The FIt needs better tires if you're going to track it, and the Fiesta is much faster with the auto than it is with the stick. If you're really in the market, you should definitely drive both.
I have an 08 sport manual bought used recently . My first tank returned 40.70 . I am very conscientious about smooth driving , don't tailgate , don't approach stop signs too fast . It always amazes me how fast people approach red lights and stop signs only to slam on their brakes and sit there .
If anyone wants a reliable car that’s incredibly cheap to maintain, you cannot beat the Fit. I’m 6’4”, 220 lbs. and I sit comfortably in my 2013 Fit Sport with 5 sp manual. I usually run my tank to around 1/4 and it costs me less than 20 bucks(as of today’s gas $) to top off the tank. It is a blast to drive and whip around town. I’ve had no issues with this car, just routine maintenance like brakes and tires. This is a very dependable means of transportation with unbelievable room for hauling. If you’re looking for good value for your money and just want to get around without emptying your wallet, do yourself a favor and look at this car. I have saved tons of money and I don’t have to walk !
I have a GD3 Fit (pre 2009) and love it. Just like you said its not a speedster, but its fun to drive and very well built and very practical. I wouldn't have any other car as my daily driver. I will say I am surprised at the gas mileage you got, in mine even revving it sky high I see 30 mpg.... and if I drive like a grandma I can get 45. Great review, keep up the good work!
@Jorge235ful I've tested two models. The 2.0T track and the V6 automatic. I've described exactly which models they were and why I didn't like them. I've always said that if I had tested a V6 with a stick and track pack, my opinion may have been different. It also may not have been. When we choose cars, to test, we don't always get to request stick vs auto, or what trim level. If you like the Genesis, great. I don't. That doesn't make me a joke, it just makes our opinions different. Get over it.
I have had a 2007 Fit just short of 4 years and love the little beast for it's practicality and performance.... The after market has been good to the older GD3 models and the addition of 10 PSI of boost by a Kraft Werks supercharger plus other performance parts have made this one of the most pleasurable cars I've ever driven.
My wife and I went to NY Auto Show and didn't know about the Fit until we saw it at the show. We sat in it, couldn't believe the roominess of it. We liked how the back seats went down to take our dogs. I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 280 - yes, a big guy. I was comfortable inside it. Great leg and head room for a guy my size. So, my wife bought one this past weekend. A manual sport. I drove it home (she was nervous) and I really liked how the car drives. It's so much fun to drive, I'm getting one too!
Love the review. I'm a drummer and I need to be able to haul a drumset to gigs and still get pretty decent fuel economy because gas prices SUCK. I honestly didn't really like the Fit at first (mostly the name and the commercials turned me off on it), but it's been growing on me. It's called the Jazz in Japan and Europe, so it ticks me off that they didn't keep that. This review just about sold me on it. It's a hatch, it's sporty-ish, good MPG, and built well... because it's a Honda.
