2020 Honda Fit

The Fit earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and aced the four crash tests it was put through by the IIHS.

Efficiency over speed. As an economy car, the Fit puts efficiency above straight-line speed – no surprises there. The sole 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces a modest 128 horsepower, which results in a 0-60 mph time of roughly 10 seconds. Drivers won’t be wanting for more power around town but could find acceleration to be lethargic on the highway.

Power may not be the Fit’s strong suit, but fuel economy certainly is. With the available continuously variable transmission, it's rated at 36 miles per gallon combined, according to the EPA. This makes the Fit one of the most efficient cars in the subcompact market.

The Fit has always been one of the best-kept secrets for drivers, providing an agile chassis and chuckable dimensions. Previous generations were slightly more enjoyable to drive, as they had less body roll and firmer suspension, but the Fit is still more fun than 90% of the economy vehicles on the market.

Versatility. Subcompact cars aren’t known for being versatile, but the Fit has nearly the same versatility as small SUVs. Thanks to some nifty seats and a large cargo area, the Fit manages to be a lot more useful than other subcompact vehicles.

The Fit comes with Honda’s Magic Seat. The innovative feature allows the rear seats to fold down to make it easier to haul larger items. The front passenger seat can also fold flat for the same task. Nifty features like the Fit’s seats let consumers get the benefits of a larger vehicle in a small package.

Cargo space in the Fit measures in at 16.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat or 52.7 cubic feet with it folded. The latter figure matches some small SUVs and bests nearly every subcompact sedan.

Humdrum styling and interior materials. To provide drivers with the same versatility as small SUVs, Honda has had to make some concessions when it comes to styling. The Fit isn’t the most stylish car on the market, resembling a miniature minivan. Even in the Sport trim, the Fit fails to be anything beyond boring.

The design of the cabin is more interesting than the exterior, with sharp edges, angular design elements, and attractive trim pieces. Material quality, though, isn’t stellar, but fitting for its $17,145 price tag. Thin plastics are located throughout the interior and the cloth upholstery on the seats feels noticeably thin.

Final thoughts. For consumers looking to get versatility in a smaller, more efficient package, the 2020 Honda Fit checks a lot of the right boxes. Unlike a lot of other subcompact options, the Fit doesn’t make you sacrifice interior space or cargo capacity. Other upsides of the Fit include excellent fuel economy and an extensive list of available safety features.

Our main complaints have to do with the interior. We’re left wanting more comfortable seats, especially in the front, and nicer materials on the upper trims. Having one trim, especially the Sport, that has some more power wouldn’t hurt either.

The Nissan Versa is one of the Fit’s main competitors. The Versa’s more affordable than the Fit, and comes with more standard safety features, nicer interior materials, and has a nicer design.

The Toyota Yaris is now available in a hatchback body style. It doesn’t have the same available safety features as the Fit, but it's more enjoyable to drive. The Yaris also has a more stylish design.

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