When the Honda Fit debuted eight years ago it quickly became a favorite of economy car shoppers. It's fair to say it wasn't because of the car's rather controversial styling, but with its flexible configurations for interior seating and cargo, a fuel-efficient engine and a relatively fun-to-drive demeanor, the Fit proved that you didn't need to suffer an anonymous econobox just for good mileage. Now entering its third generation, the 2015 Honda Fit looks to keep the good times rolling while also becoming even more appealing.
The Fit's distinctive wedge shape largely carries over, but this time the Fit looks a little more grown up. A new grille and headlight design, LED taillights and available 16-inch wheels align it visually with other Hondas. The new Fit's overall body length shrinks a little, but the wheels are set farther apart this year and the rear suspension has been redesigned to free up more room for those riding in the back. Indeed, the amount of room rear passengers enjoy in the new Fit is truly astonishing, as even a pair of 6-foot-plus adults won't feel squeezed.
If you need a small hatchback that can haul serious amounts of cargo, the redesigned 2015 Honda Fit is the one to get.
The Fit's enhanced seating does come at the expense of some luggage space, but with nearly 53 cubic feet, the 2015 Fit's cargo area still remains substantially bigger than those of its competitors. A main reason for this is the Fit's novel "Magic" seat. Its ability to fold completely flat or flip its seat bottom up grants the Fit an unmatched versatility for carrying passengers, mountain bikes, large pets or most things in between. The Fit also gains higher-quality interior materials, the availability of heated leather seats and new technology features like a larger touchscreen interface, smartphone app integration and keyless ignition.
Just about everything is new under the hood as well. The four-cylinder engine is still 1.5 liters in size, but various revisions, including the addition of direct injection technology, help it produce a little more power and better fuel efficiency than before. A new six-speed manual transmission (the previous Fit only had five forward gears) and a new continuously variable automatic transmission (replacing a traditional five-speed automatic) are also part of the deal. Hit the road and you should see an impressive 32-36 mpg combined, depending on what model you pick.
With its new look, more refined interior and improved fuel economy, the 2015 Honda Fit earns an Edmunds "A" rating and is again among the best in its class. The Fit is also one of the top recommended cars in our 2015 Sedan Buying Guide. Granted, it's no longer the no-brainer it once was, as alternatives like the excellent, Edmunds "A"-rated 2015 Ford Fiesta and value-rich Hyundai Accent also prove that an inexpensive car doesn't have to be an unappealing one. Those and other competitors also offer sedan body styles and generally more standard features for the money, but none offer the kind of interior flexibility that makes the Fit one of the most versatile hatchbacks available.
