Best economy car, hatchback 2009 Honda Fit *Est. $14750
Best economy car, sedan 2009 Honda Civic *Est. $15305
Sporty compact car 2009 Mini Cooper *Est. $18550
Top fuel economy with a diesel engine 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI *Est. $22270
Cheapest compact car 2009 Nissan Versa *Est. $9990

See All Economy Cars

2009 Honda Fit

*Est. $14,750 to $16,260

Best economy car, hatchback

Fun to drive
Sporty handling
Excellent fuel economy
Flexible, well-designed interior
Good crash-test results

Pricier than most competitors
Leisurely acceleration with automatic
Firm ride
Road and engine noise

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Our Analysis

March 2009. Few cars have racked up as many top picks and unanimous acclaim as the redesigned 2009 Honda Fit subcompact five-door hatchback. Despite its small dimensions, auto writers are impressed by the Honda Fit's interior room and versatile cargo area. Rear seats fold flat at the pull of a single lever to open up 57.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Ten cup holders and several storage compartments are thoughtfully placed throughout the cabin. Reviewers say the seats on the Honda Fit are high for a comfortable seating position with fairly good outward visibility. Some wished for height adjustment and longer front-seat cushions, however. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, front-seat active head restraints and ABS, but electronic stability control is optional only on Honda Fit Sport models packaged with the navigation system, which automatically adds $1,850 to the sticker price compared to the regular Honda Fit Sport. The new Honda Fit is named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The sole powerplant available on the 2009 Honda Fit is a 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine -- a bit more powerful than last year's Fit. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, while a five-speed automatic is optional -- an advantage over most small cars' four-speed automatic transmissions. While so many economy cars are criticized for being boring to drive, the Honda Fit manages to entertain reviewers, who say the nicely balanced car handles well, with responsive steering and an eager engine. That's not to say it has an excess of power; many auto writers mention its tepid acceleration, especially with the automatic transmission. On the other hand, the Honda Fit's smooth-running four-cylinder is very efficient, with EPA ratings of 27-28 mpg city and 33-35 mpg highway. Test drivers report real-world mileage on target with the EPA estimates. Some of the negatives mentioned in Honda Fit reviews include a ride that can be harsh over rough roads and too much intrusive road and engine noise inside the passenger cabin.

Reviews say that the Honda Fit is not as affordable as many of its competitors, such as the roomier 2009 Nissan Versa (*Est. $9,990 to $16,330) or more powerful 2009 Scion xD (*Est. $14,650). But the Fit is the best car of the bunch, critics say, and holds its value better than most rivals.

Because the Honda Fit is redesigned for 2009, reviews are abundant. Consumer Reports conducts a comparison test of several economy cars, and the Fit finishes first. While the entire report is only available to subscribers, a publicly distributed press release reveals the results. Edmunds.com has a well-written comparison test between the Honda Fit and the Honda Civic Hybrid, with interesting results. One of the best road-test evaluations is from Cars.com, which also links to seven reviews from newspaper auto writers. Thorough road-test write-ups can be found at Motor Trend and Car and Driver, both of which named the Honda Fit among their top 10 cars of the year. Automobile Magazine gives several editors' opinions and insights. USA Today's automotive critic gives his evaluation in a well-balanced critique.

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2009 Honda Fit

Our Sources

1. Autoblog.com

Autoblog.com reports on Consumer Reports' latest small-car comparison test from the March 2009 print issue, revealing the Honda Fit as the highest-rated subcompact against the Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Aveo and Suzuki SX4. While the complete results are available at the Consumer Reports subscription-only website, the official press release is publicly posted on Autoblog with a summary of the results.

Review: Honda Fit Dominates Consumer Reports Subcompact Test, Michael Harley, Feb. 3, 2009

2. Cars.com

Cars.com's detailed test drive notes that the Honda Fit's "interior size belies its exterior dimensions." While writer Joe Wiesenfelder says the new model is not dramatically better than the highly rated previous generation, he points out that the 2009 Honda Fit has "incremental improvements in many areas, including roominess, visibility and engine power, as well as a gas-mileage bump." He also mentions intrusive engine noise, "modest acceleration" and an automatic transmission that is slow to downshift.

Review: 2009 Honda Fit, Joe Wiesenfelder, Aug. 19, 2008

3. Edmunds Inside Line

This unusual comparison test, subtitled "Family Feud," pits the Honda Civic Hybrid against the Honda Fit. The winner is the Fit, for its "unparalleled combination of efficiency and function." After driving each car for two weeks, editors find the Honda Fit much more entertaining to drive and practical for hauling cargo. With a 36.1 mpg average, the Civic is more fuel efficient, but the Honda Fit's average 29.2 mpg is impressive as well. The Fit's lower price helps seal the victory.

Review: Comparison Test: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport, Josh Jacquot, Nov. 4, 2008

4. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

In a lengthy, highly descriptive review, Motor Trend editor Mark Williams says, "For something this small and inexpensive, it's one of the most fun things we've driven in a long time," although he notes that the new 2009 Honda Fit is "no longer cheap, but still a big bang-for-the-buck player." He is impressed with Honda's apparent attempt to improve virtually every aspect of the previous model. The article includes plenty of technical detail as well.

Review: First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit, Mark Williams, Aug. 2008

5. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

A repeat winner of Car and Driver's 10Best Cars honor, the Honda Fit is described in detail in this road-test evaluation. Editor Tony Swan calls the Honda Fit "a surprising improvement on a terrific original." The new car "communicates its eager responses in a way that's reminiscent of a sports car," Swan says. Disappointments include a firm ride, road noise and "dismal" braking performance.

Review: 2009 Honda Fit Sport -- Road Test, Dec. 2008, Tony Swan

6. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of Consumer Reports have a good summary review of the Honda Fit with a road-test evaluation and reliability history as compiled in large owner surveys. You must be a subscriber to access this report.

Review: 2009 Honda Fit, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

7. USA Today Magazine

In this well-balanced review, auto critic James Healey praises the Honda Fit's roominess, exemplary fuel economy and its "lively driving personality," despite its shortage of power under some conditions. He dislikes the harsh ride and small fuel tank as well. Overall, he calls the Honda Fit "a sweetheart for urban and suburban users, but marginal for highway commuters and hill-dwellers."

Review: Test Drive: New Honda Fit Hits the Fuel-Efficient Spot, James R. Healey, Aug. 29, 2008

8. Automobile Magazine

This review gives brief, insightful impressions from four staffers on the Honda Fit, a 2009 Automobile Magazine All-Star. Remarks include: "It's one of the few efficient small cars without excuses, without compromises," and "the Fit is head and shoulders above most of the competition." Negative comments include: "The ride is more refined than that of the previous Fit, but 'refined' still isn't an adjective you'd generally use to describe this car."

Review: Editors' Notebook 2009 Honda Fit, Jean Jennings, Amy Skogstrom, Joe DeMatio, Sam Smith, Sept. 30, 2008

9. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com editors say they are "very impressed" with the Honda Fit, naming it one of their Top Recommended Sedans Under $15,000. In this summary review, they say the new Fit has "extended its superiority" over its competitors. The only drawback is that the Honda Fit is priced higher than most of the other small cars in its class.

Review: 2009 Honda Fit Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

10. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com names the Honda Fit a Best Buy among small cars. Editors say it is pricey for a subcompact, "this is one in name and exterior size only." Its strongest points are its "impressive passenger accommodations and large, versatile cargo space." The biggest negative is the noise level from the road, wind and engine, particularly when driving on the highway.

Review: 2009 Honda Fit Full Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

11. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Top-rated vehicles in crash tests are honored by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with a Top Safety Pick award. Each of the vehicles must earn Good ratings in frontal, side-impact crash tests, plus evaluations of head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. In addition, each winning vehicle must offer electronic stability control. The 2009 Honda Fit is one of the few small cars to earn this recognition.

Review: Top Safety Picks 2009, Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety