Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Honda Fit is a subcompact four-door hatchback available in base and Sport trim levels.

The base Fit comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a multifunction 60/40-split-folding rear seat and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.

The Fit Sport adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a sport body kit, shift paddles (automatic transmission only), foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, map lights and a six-speaker sound system. A navigation system with touchscreen interface, voice controls, a digital audio card reader and steering-wheel audio controls is an available option for the Fit.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2012 Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder good for 117 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a five-speed automatic is optional. The latter gets manual-override shift paddles in the Fit Sport. In Edmunds performance testing, a Fit Sport with the manual went from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds. A base Fit with the automatic required a snooze-inducing 11 seconds.

The manual-transmission Fit returns an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. The Fit Sport automatic returns the same. More conservative throttle programming on the base automatic model helps it achieve 28/35/31 (at the expense of faster acceleration). These estimates are good, but other subcompacts are even better.

Safety

Every 2012 Honda Fit comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Braking performance is only adequate for this segment; in Edmunds brake testing, a Fit Sport screeched to a halt from 60 mph in 134 feet.

The Fit has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2012 crash-testing procedures. Its 2011 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2012 tests) were a perfect five stars for front crash protection and front-occupant side crash protection. It got four stars for rear-occupant protection in a side crash. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Fit a top mark of "Good" in the frontal-offset and side crash tests, and a second-best rating of "Acceptable" in the roof-strength test.

Interior Design and Special Features

The current second-generation Fit feels more like a real car than its even more pint-sized predecessor. The standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel makes for an agreeable driving position for taller drivers, though shorter drivers might lament the lack of height adjustment for the driver seat. Rear passenger space is quite impressive for a compact hatchback and two adults can ride in back for an extended trip without complaint. Interior materials are average, but all major controls are clearly labeled and easy to use.

The Fit's most impressive characteristic is its versatility, due largely to the rear "Magic Seat," which can be configured in a variety of ways. The 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks fold completely flat at the pull of a lever, and the headrests needn't be removed first. You can also flip up the rear seat cushion to create a tall load area right behind the front seats -- a perfect space for a dog to safely lie down or to load bulkier items. The front passenger seat also folds down, creating room for items up to 7 feet, 9 inches in length. Maximum cargo capacity is a scarcely believable 57.3 cubic feet -- the same as in some small crossover SUVs.

Driving Impressions

With its 2,500-pound curb weight, sharp steering response and willing 1.5-liter engine, the 2012 Honda Fit adds a welcome dose of driving pleasure to the daily commute. The manual transmission model takes full advantage of the Fit's engaging personality, though the Fit Sport's available automatic with shift paddles is a viable alternative. The base Fit's automatic saps a good amount of the engine's enthusiasm, but delivers the best fuel economy in the lineup. The Fit's main drawback is noise, as a significant amount of roar from the wind, engine and road makes its way into the cabin.