Does a Honda Fit get good gas mileage?
Yes. The Honda Fit is widely recognized for its strong fuel efficiency among compact hatchbacks. In typical use, most models deliver mid-30s mpg combined, with highway mileage near 40 mpg under favorable conditions.
Overview of fuel efficiency in the Honda Fit
The mpg you see on the window sticker depends on year, transmission, trim, and driving conditions. Here are representative numbers from common US models sold in the 2015–2020 period.
CVT-equipped models
Most Fits in the US use a continuously variable transmission. The EPA estimates for these models typically fall in these ranges:
- Approximate city/highway/combined: 33 mpg city / 40 mpg highway / 36 mpg combined.
In real-world driving, highway efficiency can approach or exceed 40 mpg with steady speeds and light loads.
Overall, CVT-equipped Fits tend to deliver the best overall efficiency among common configurations.
Manual-transmission models
Manual versions are less common in the US but provide comparable highway efficiency with slightly lower city fuel economy. The typical numbers are:
- Approximate city/highway/combined: 29 mpg city / 37 mpg highway / 32–34 mpg combined.
In mixed driving, real-world mpg may align with the published estimates or vary with technique and conditions.
Factors that influence real-world mpg
Beyond the sticker numbers, several factors shape what you actually get at the pump, from driving habits to maintenance and load.
Tips to maximize fuel economy
To maximize fuel economy, consider the following practices:
- Keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure; under-inflation increases rolling resistance and lowers efficiency.
- Minimize unnecessary weight and aerodynamic drag (remove roof racks when not in use).
- Drive smoothly with gradual acceleration and gentle braking; aggressive driving reduces mpg.
- On highways, use cruise control when appropriate to maintain steady speed.
- Use the air conditioner judiciously; at highway speeds A/C use is manageable, but excessive use can affect mpg.
- Keep up with maintenance: timely oil changes, clean air filters, and spark plug service help sustain efficiency.
- Ensure proper wheel alignment and regular tire rotation to maintain optimal fuel economy.
Adopting these habits helps you approach the model's EPA estimates in everyday driving.
Summary
The Honda Fit remains a standout for fuel efficiency in its class. With a CVT, typical real-world mileage is in the mid-30s mpg combined, with highway efficiency around 40 mpg under favorable conditions. Manual versions are rarer and often yield slightly lower city mpg. Real-world results depend on year, trim, and driving style, but the Fit consistently offers strong fuel economy for a practical hatchback.
Which Honda Fit gets the best gas mileage?
**29 city / 36 highway / 31 combined MPG rating for LX, Sport and EX 6MT trims. 33 city / 40 highway / 36 combined MPG rating for LX CVT trim 31 city / 36 highway / 33 combined MPG rating for Sport CVT, EX CVT and EX-L trims. Based on 2019 EPA mileage ratings.
Is a Honda Fit fuel-efficient?
Yes, the Honda Fit is considered fuel-efficient, with EPA-estimated ratings reaching up to 33 mpg city / 40 mpg highway for the LX model with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Other configurations and years have similar strong fuel economy, with the manual transmission versions getting around 29 mpg city / 36 mpg highway. The car's efficiency is further enhanced by its standard Eco Assist™ system.
Fuel economy breakdown
- CVT Transmission: The most fuel-efficient models are typically equipped with a CVT, with ratings like 33 mpg city / 40 mpg highway for the 2020 LX trim.
- Manual Transmission: Models with a 6-speed manual transmission generally have slightly lower ratings, around 29 mpg city / 36 mpg highway.
- Other trims (CVT): The Sport, EX, and EX-L trims with a CVT transmission have a combined rating of about 31 mpg city / 36 mpg highway.
- Real-world performance: While official EPA ratings are high, real-world mileage can vary. Some owners report averages around 33.5 mpg, and others have achieved even higher mileage on long, highway-focused trips.
Factors that affect fuel economy
- Transmission: As noted, the CVT is generally more fuel-efficient than the manual transmission.
- Driving habits: Your driving style significantly impacts mileage. The Fit's standard Eco Assist system helps monitor and optimize your fuel use.
- Vehicle condition: A poorly maintained vehicle, such as one with a malfunctioning fuel pump, can lead to a decrease in fuel efficiency.
Why was the Honda Fit discontinued?
The Honda Fit was discontinued in North America due to declining sales, a shift in consumer preference toward SUVs, and economic factors. Honda replaced it with the more profitable HR-V crossover, which shares a platform with the Fit and is a more popular segment. Other contributing factors include new fuel economy regulations and changing market dynamics.
Reasons for discontinuation
- Declining sales and market trends: The subcompact car market has shrunk significantly, with sales of models like the Fit declining for years. Consumers are increasingly favoring SUVs and crossovers, and the Fit's sales numbers dropped considerably, especially compared to the HR-V.
- Profitability: The HR-V crossover is more profitable for Honda to produce and sell than the Fit. By shifting production of the HR-V to the Mexico factory that previously built the Fit, Honda was able to allocate resources to the more lucrative crossover market.
- Changing market dynamics: A period of lower gas prices also contributed to the decline in demand for fuel-efficient small cars, as consumers became less concerned about fuel economy and more interested in the features and higher driving position of SUVs.
- Regulatory pressures: Stringent future fuel economy targets may have made it less feasible for Honda to produce the Fit profitably in the U.S. market.
- Replacement strategy: Instead of bringing the new fourth-generation Fit to the U.S., Honda replaced it with the related HR-V to capitalize on the market's demand for crossovers.
What is the weakness of Honda Fit?
Some Honda Fit vehicles tend to develop driveability issues as early as 50,000 miles due to ignition coil failure. This is a widely reported problem for the 2007 to 2016 model years. Ignition coil failure typically causes issues like loss of power, engine stalling, and stuttering at high speeds.
