Learn about the 2019 Honda Fit – Real Review
The Honda Fit debuted on the U.S. market in 2007 and was well-received for being affordable and funky. It has fold-down seating for added cargo space and offers a choice between manual and automatic transmissions.
Sales were initially robust, 2008 being the year with the highest totals. Unfortunately, the compact category has exploded since then; fast-forward to 2019, and the Honda Fit is just another face in the crowd.
Don’t call it a comeback, though. The 2019 Honda Fit is still a contender for the compact crown. The all-new Fit has a more refined interior than its predecessors, and banks on its low sticker price as well as the storage flexibility provided by its folding seats.
It’s available in four model trims: base level LX, Sport, EX and the premium EX-L.
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Exterior Style
This car is not meant to wow you from the curb. It’s small but sits tall and looks more like a minivan than a hatchback. The front of the vehicle sweeps upward to cast an illusion of length, even though the entire car measures just 161.4 inches. Fog lights and a subtle grille are nice accents up front. However, the profile underwhelms with 15-inch wheels and a tame body line.
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The Sport model manages to strike a stunning pose with all-black 16-inch alloy wheels and an all-around ground effects kit. In the rear of the vehicle, tail lights sweep up the sides and trunk of the Honda Fit while a single chrome accent piece underlines the rear window. If you ask the manufacturer, the rear spoiler is a must-see, but in actuality, it’s rather hard to see on such a diminutive body style.
Performance Capabilities
In the performance category, the 2019 Honda Fit will certainly please those with low expectations. It comes with just one engine options: a 1.5-liter inline 4 that produces 130 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque.
In such a small car, that engine has quite a good bit of power. The base model comes with a six-speed manual transmission but a CVT automatic transmission is optional on all models. The best bet would be to stick with the manual because the CVT tends to lag when shifting, robbing the four-cylinder engine of responsiveness.
The Sport and EX-L models can be equipped with paddle shifters on the steering assembly. The suspension minimizes bumps in the road and keeps the Fit glued to the road. So, the Honda Fit is a capable mover, but not ready to compete with the likes of a Mazda3 or MINI Cooper S in a speed race.
Interior Amenities
Surprisingly, the Honda Fit is rather roomy for a compact. There are 93 cubic feet of passenger space and 52 cubic feet of cargo space. There’s even added storage space in the door sills, center console and a cargo net in the back.
You can remove headrests and lay the front passenger seat down flat. The rear seats flip up and fold down for more storage options than you might find on other compact vehicles. Rear-seat occupants will feel well-supported with 37.5 inches of headroom and 39.3 inches of legroom.
Front seats on the base model are lacking on padded material, so a long trip will feel even longer for the driver and front passenger. The EX-L model gets the best comfort amenities.
It comes with a power moonroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and heated front seats. The EX-L model comes in at just over $20,000 so an upgrade doesn’t hurt the pocket all that much.
Infotainment
The layout and controls inside the 2019 Honda Fit feel ergonomic, minimalistic and easy to access. There are steering wheel controls for audio, cruise control and navigation if you have the EX-L model.
The Honda Fit at least acknowledges that you live in the 21st century by including a USB port and 12-volt power outlets in the center console. The Tech Package of the Sport, EX and EX-L models bundle in Android Auto and Apple Car Play compatibility.
A 5-inch touchscreen might seem small by today’s standards, especially for a rather complicated navigation interface on the EX-L. Luckily, you can use voice activation. Bluetooth is standard on all models, but most of the premium technology features are not available on the base model LX.
Safety Features
The base model of the Honda Fit comes with a rearview camera, child-proof rear doors, a full complement of airbags, and traction control. Advanced safety features are available on the LX model with automatic transmission and higher model trims.
Those safety features come in a bundle called Honda Sensing. Those features include lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation that utilizes a front-end camera and automatic emergency braking.
The emergency braking feature was given a “Superior” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Honda Sensing package come standard on the EX and EX-L.
Final Analysis
This is the third generation Honda Fit and it hasn’t strayed far from its initial niche, which is great. The 2019 Honda Fit might not excite the senses, but it gets the job done. It has transmission options for manual or automatic and a Sport trim that provides some stylistic upgrades to the otherwise bland body style.
The interior is a winner with its versatile seats and high roof. The tech interface is also adequate. The Honda Fit doesn’t provide much on the base model, but the EX and EX-L are both well-equipped with creature comforts and an advanced suite of safety features.
The Honda Fit might not ever reach the sales that it once had in 2008, but with a firmly carved-out niche within the compact category, it promises to stick around for years to come.
