Would We Buy a 2015 Honda Fit Again?
CARS.COM — We second-guessed buying a Honda Fit when — literally days after our purchase — its wheels were stolen. Installing multiple styles of wheel locks per wheel helped deter subsequent theft attempts, but how did the rest of the car stack up after a year and 15,000 miles of testing? We asked editors if they would buy the Fit again and the answer is … maybe.
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Jennifer Geiger, assistant managing editor: Yes
Although I never did make peace with its multimedia system, the Fit impressed overall. The tiny hatchback appeals for its fuel thriftiness, maneuverability, safety features (my favorite is the LaneWatch camera system) and cargo versatility. Thanks to its ingenious backseat and hatchback body style, it fit way more gear than its tiny dimensions suggest.
Joe Bruzek, senior road test editor: No
The Fit hits all the practical points of fuel economy, reliability and roominess, but it’s very much a city-only car. Any highway trip over an hour proved unpleasant with intrusive wind and road noise plus a skittish ride. Poor highway manners combined with the Fit’s painful-to-use multimedia system made me groan when I saw my initials next to the car on a weekend when I needed to travel. A subcompact like the Chevrolet Sonic hatchback isn’t as roomy as the Fit, but its highway manners and Apple CarPlay for 2017 (available fall 2016) would certainly make me think twice about buying the Fit again.
Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor: Yes
I really liked it. I’m not sure there’s a vehicle on the road that is as space-efficient as that one. Truly cavernous for cargo and the flip-up or -down backseat is icing on the cake. It drives well, too. I preferred the manual, but that’s often the case, and the CVT isn’t bad at all for what it is. The multimedia system, however, is as much of a turnoff here as it is in the Civic.
William Jackson, assistant managing editor: Yes, but I hesitate
I put the Fit through a number of tests and in some it did well, others just OK . But overall, every time I saw I had the car, I was happy because I knew I’d be driving something that I could count on. I mean, the thing ran like a tank and didn’t show any mechanical flaws after widely varied driving conditions. That’s saying something.
Also, owing to its small size and the LaneWatch camera, it really fits my city-dwelling, tight-parking lifestyle. It’s among the best-ever city cars I’ve driven. And its Magic Seat came in handy on a rainy camping trip.
My hesitation comes from the price. For nearly $20,000, I’d be tempted to look at other options that are more fun to drive (Mazda3 or Honda Civic) because the Fit isn’t exactly thrilling. And the CVT can drone a bit on long, long drives. Oh, and the atrocious Honda multimedia system — and lack of Apple CarPlay as a workaround — really hurt the Fit in my book.
In the end, though, I have a feeling that if I were to plunk down my money, its reliability, capability and versatility would win me over.
Kelsey Mays, senior consumer affairs editor: Yes
After living with the capacitive-touch stereo all year, I can affirm that it’s still a disaster. But everything else about the Fit rocks. It’s a surprisingly inoffensive marriage between a small engine and CVT, and Honda struck a nice balance between ride comfort and handling, as subcompacts go. Utility and visibility are standout qualities, which you appreciate more the longer you drive it.
Mike Hanley, senior editor: It depends
If most of my driving was in the city, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the Fit again. It darts through traffic with ease, its small footprint is good for city parking, and its space-efficient cabin makes it great for hauling stuff. However, a busy ride and modest power prevent it from being a great road-trip car, so if driving long distances on the highway was a regular thing for me, I’d pass on the Fit.
