2020 Honda Fit Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Small but mighty, the 2020 Honda Fit has a more-than-adequate power output. And it is surprisingly spacious for being a tiny hatchback. The 2020 Fit is in its third generation, which began in 2015. Over the past five years, the braking performance has been the biggest gripe drivers have expressed over the Fit. And that carries over into this model year. Honda could certainly stand to tweak the Fit's brakes a bit, but it seems that they have been focusing more on giving the Fit a lot of standard driver aids and infotainment features - and that is definitely not a bad thing.

What's New for 2020?

The 2020 Honda Fit carries over unchanged from the previous model year, which only saw the addition of available automatic high beams.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Honda Fit – The Pros

1. Swift Acceleration

It is hard to expect a massive amount of power from a 1.5-L 4-cylinder engine, but the one that comes on the 2020 Honda Fit is quite engaging. If you get the CVT equipped, the vehicle gets 128 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque. (The manual gets slightly more, but not by much.) Either way, the Fit gets from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 8.8 seconds. It can maneuver easily on slow-speed roads and does a good job of merging and passing on the highway.

2. Precise Steering

The Fit has some remarkably precise steering. The steering is light, and there is not a whole lot in the way of feedback, but it is sufficient. And you will always know where the wheels are tracking. Effort will build over time, and drivers will be able to get used to it quickly. Everything about the steering is spot-on and reassuring.

3. Strong Handling Capabilities

Handling on the 2020 Honda Fit is quite excellent for this segment. Never will it feel unstable at highway speeds, and it can jet around town with ease. Rounding through corners feels effortless. And, of course, getting the Fit through tight side streets and parking lots is a breeze because of its size.

4. Comfy Seats

Going on a long road trip? The Fit's seats will remain plush and relaxing the whole way. The bolsters are exactly the biggest and best, but they still do well at providing support. The front seats are highly adjustable, which is a huge bonus for those of us who need more space to stretch out our legs. The back seat is not lacking for comfort either.

5. Plenty of Room

When looking a the 2020 Honda Fit from the outside, you might not think it is a very spacious vehicle. The truth is, only the extra tall people out there will have a hard time finding head space in the rear. Otherwise, head and leg space abound - an impressive feat for such a tiny hatch.

6. A Compliant Ride Quality

The ride quality is quite comfortable as well, which is something you cannot find in every hatchback model. The Fit manages to get it right. Bumps of all sizes get absorbed by the wheels and suspension system so that relatively none make it into the cabin. Those long road trips are extra enjoyable.

7. Controls are Easy to Use

One of the things drivers like about the 2020 Honda Fit is that there are a lot of physical controls left for them to use versus the difficult-to-use digital controls on the touchscreen system (which we will get to a bit later). The climate control system's button on the console is clearly marked and works exactly as expected. While the system isn't automatic, the fact that it is so straightforward is helpful for drivers.

8. Excellent Outward Visibility

You can see fore and aft, as well as to the side, with clarity from the Fit's cockpit. With the beltline set low and the windshield up somewhat high, you get a lot of space for viewing what is in front of the vehicle. The side mirrors provide excellent coverage of the side's blind spots, but the blind spot monitoring system goes the extra mile.

9. High-quality Interior Materials

Even though people consider this to be an 'economy' hatchback, the 2020 Honda Fit looks well-made and contemporary. Most of the surfaces are soft touch, but even the few plastic areas you will find are solidly build and have a nice aesthetic. All of the panels are placed well together without any noticeable gaps, and there are no rattles or shakes when the vehicle is in drive.

10. The Magic Seats

It would be hard to write about the Fit without mentioning the Magic Seats. This system makes the rear seat highly adjustable so that you can configure the cargo area to fit your needs. If you need more space, you can adjust the magic seat to get it. Versatile and convenient, Honda nailed it with this bit of technology.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Honda Fit – The Cons

1. Squishy Brakes

The worst thing about driving the 2020 Honda Fit is the braking system. While the brakes do work well enough during panic stops and aren't too difficult to modulate, the pedal feels soft beneath your feet - not exactly a reassuring sensation. Firmer brakes would make the driving experience much more enjoyable and certainly inspire a lot of confidence in the driver.

2. Some Noise Seeps In

The cabin does not get exceedingly loud at any point, but the wind, road, and engine all contribute to noise levels increasing during different driving scenarios. Road and wind noise become exponentially louder once you get the Fit up to speed on the highway. Also, the engine will cut in when you get it going at high revolutions. It is not going to drone out back seat passengers or your music, but it will be noticeable and at least slightly annoying.

3. The Infotainment System's Interface

Honda has been struggling to produce an easy-to-use infotainment system for a while now. On some vehicles, it does not seem too bad. But on the 2020 Honda Fit, it is obnoxious. Going through the menu settings and utilizing the controls can be confusing and frustrating, not to mention distracting while you are trying to keep your eyes on the road. Honda has put an emphasis on tech features, but they just have not tweaked the infotainment system enough to make it user-friendly.

4. The Step-over Into the Rear Seat

Compared to the other three issues that might prevent a person from buying the Honda Fit, the rear seat step-over is a totally minor problem. Close to the door in the rear, the floor becomes a bit uneven. You will have to lengthen your reach just to ensure that your footing is secure. If not, you might have some difficulties with getting in or out.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2020 Honda Fit vs. 2020 Kia Soul

The 2020 Honda Fit sees some stiff competition from the modestly priced 2020 Kia Soul. The Soul is equipped with a massive list of standard safety and infotainment features, which is sure to attract a lot of buyers. Looking inside the cabin reveals a user-friendly set-up, both with regard to the physical controls and features as well as those located on the infotainment system. Unlike the Fit, the Soul is an SUV. However, they get lumped together due to how similarly they perform. The only real downsides to getting the Soul are that the fuel economy cannot hold a candle to that of the Fit, the bigger wheels make for a harsher ride quality, and you cannot get all-wheel drive on any Kia Soul trim level. However, its crash test scores are magnificent, and the warranties offered are extremely generous, even more so than those offered by Honda on the Fit.

2020 Honda Fit vs. 2020 Toyota Corolla iM

The 2020 Toyota Corolla iM is the hatchback sibling of the Corolla sedan. The Corolla sedan has been dwindling in popularity ever since the Prius came out, which set the bar high for all other Toyota sedans and hatchbacks. But the Corolla iM has its upsides, including its well-mannered ride and well-cushioned and supportive front seats. Also, you get a tremendous amount of features packed in. However, the Corolla iM is mindbogglingly slow (getting from 0 to 60 mph in a sluggish 10 seconds) and is just kind of boring to drive. The interior design is also kind of a snooze, and there is minimal visibility out the rear due to there being chunky rear roof pillars and a small windshield.

Conclusion

The 2020 Honda Fit is unexpectedly fun to drive. People tend to joke about the Fit being unfit, but it really is fit to drive. Don't let its small stature fool you - this thing can really go. If you can get past the wonky infotainment interface and the soft brakes, you will find yourself wanting to take long road trips in the Fit. And you can certainly fit a buddy or two in the rear seats.