2018 Honda Fit
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.5L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 31 / 36 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $1,800 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 267 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Hatchback |
| Base Price | $15,903–$20,871 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2018 Honda Fit is a hatchback that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.6/10, while Performance at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.6/10. The Fit nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 7.7/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.4/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $15,903–$20,871, 28 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Fit sits in the budget-friendly tier of the hatchback market. Its value score of 8.4/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2018 Honda Fit will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on technology and performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good hatchback should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Honda Fit ranks #29 of 99 hatchbacks in the Carivo database — better than 72% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $15,903 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $23,280 by about 32%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Hatchback ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$9,375 ($1,875/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 4 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Honda Fit scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.6 — and starts roughly $1,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $17,067 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $16,485 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $15,903 | |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $15,322 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $14,740 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $14,158 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Back over prevention / Display function 02/02/2023 · 23V046000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these… |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 18/12/2023 · 23V858000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda… |
| Back over prevention / Display function 31/05/2024 · 24V384000 | Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V-046. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a… |
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 21/05/2026 · 26V332000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V,… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2018 Honda Fit that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2018 Honda Fit's reliability 8.6/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.6/10 overall, ranking #29 of 99 hatchbacks in our database (better than 72% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2018 Honda Fit starts at $15,903 and ranges up to $20,871 across trims (MSRP when new). At 28 MPG, expect roughly $1,875/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
No standout weak years: across the 6 Fit model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.8/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
The documented issues for the 2018 Honda Fit are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Back over prevention, Fuel system, gasoline, Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.