Compared to other models in Honda's lineup, the 2020 Fit doesn't garner a whole lot of attention. It's not cool like the Civic Type R or hugely popular like the CR-V. But this little car is affordable and surprisingly versatile. In sports analogy terms, you could say it's underrated.
It all starts with the Fit's configurable seats. Honda calls them Magic Seats, and they fold in several ways to accommodate cargo in varying shapes and sizes. For example, you can fold the rear seat bottoms up for transporting tall and skinny items (a TV, for instance) or recline the front passenger seat to store long ones. It's a neat trick that makes the Fit feel far more utilitarian than the pint-sized competition.
While the Fit uses a modestly powered four-cylinder engine, acceleration feels sprightly around town and it hits highway speeds sooner than most compact hatchbacks and small crossovers. It's also quite fuel-efficient, and we found it easy to match EPA estimates in real-world driving — something that can't be said about many Fit competitors. The Fit's nimble handling is another draw.
Small cars naturally sacrifice some comfort, refinement and features for a budget-friendly price tag, but the Fit makes fewer concessions than most. In our testing, we've found that the Fit squirms around a bit during hard braking, which doesn't inspire confidence during a panic stop. An upright driving position also makes it tough for taller drivers to find a comfortable spot. The infotainment system is also a little out-of-date and slow to respond to commands. Still, these issues shouldn't dissuade buyers looking for a sensible small hatchback at a competitive price.
The 2020 Honda Fit is a subcompact hatchback available in four trim levels: LX, Sport, EX and EX-L. Every Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on LX and Sport models, while a continuously variable automatic transmission is optional. The CVT automatic comes standard on the EX and EX-L. With the manual transmission, the engine is rated at 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. Selecting the CVT mildly reduces output to 128 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque.
NOTE: This video is about the 2017 Honda Fit, but since the 2020 Honda Fit is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
2020 Honda Fit
2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback
After spending a few years sharing a name but different underpinnings, the Toyota Yaris sedan and hatchback are now the same car in two body styles. Based on the overseas-only Mazda 2, the Yaris is more fun to drive than the Fit. But the Honda counters with its superior passenger and cargo-carrying versatility.
Like the Fit, the Kia Soul makes excellent use of its small size, offering more room than most in its class. The Kia is a little more expensive than the Honda, but in return you get a few more features and a nicer interior. There's even a Soul GT-Line Turbo variant that offers punchy acceleration and sporty handling.
Pricing for the Honda Civic hatchback starts a little higher than the most expensive Fit. But for that you get one of the best small cars on the market today. The Civic has a seemingly endless number of strengths, starting with its powerful yet fuel-efficient turbocharged engine. It's also terrifically roomy and has a robust features list. The Civic is well-worth the upgrade if your budget allows it.
Edmunds saysThe Honda Fit has always been a marvel of packaging, delivering SUV-like versatility in a tiny hatchback footprint. There's even an all-new Fit, which Honda showed off recently in Japan. It's sleek, modern and just as flexible when it comes to carrying cargo. Unfortunately, it's not headed to the U.S. — at least not this year. We'll have to make due with the same Fit as last year. Nonetheless, the 2020 Honda Fit is a smart pick for a small hatchback.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Honda Fit:
The least-expensive 2020 Honda Fit is the 2020 Honda Fit LX 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $16,190.
Other versions include:
