The primary thing that's stopped me from buying the Fit all ready is it's ridiculously small gas tank. I am really hesitant about buying the Fit because of it. A larger tank is preferable even if it cuts into cargo space. 10.6 gallons at combined mpg of 29 is unacceptable.

Hard to decide, the Fit is great except for the cruising range. The Civic has the cruising range and nicer instrument panel (climate buttons etc) but is more expensive and lacks USB audio (I won't buy sunroofed EX civic).

I'm thinking of holding out till 2010 to see if Fit gets larger tank or the LX civic gets USB audio.

 

I think the small gas tank is overly criticized. Honda usually sizes the gas tank to achieve similar cruising ranges in the Honda line up. Example, my RSX had a 13.6 gallon tank and would return somewhere of 24 mpg. I would average somewhere of 300-320 miles per tank. Guess what? Same with the Fit. My 18.5 gallon tank Accord? Same thing.

I look at it as a plus. When filling up, not only do you get rewarded by seeing only $18 at the pump rather than $50, but it takes 1 minute to fill up the tank rather than 3 minutes.

 

I agree. It's a great feeling to have spent just that amount filling up.

 

i drove to vegas for the CES show over the weekend and it only took 3/4 of a tank. So less than 15bucks! and i was vtecing it the whole way too. lol. and normally i only fill up once every two weeks. Way better than the 40bucks every two days on my previous SUV.

 

For real. You're overreacting about the gas tank's size.

 

It's not as much of an issue as you might think. I average 320mi per tank just like CrystalFiveMT.

It's funny hearing some friends talk about dumping $20 into their car and only getting 1/2 or 3/4 tank when $15 was topping off my Fit.

Honestly, of all the specs you could be mulling over about the Fit, the gas tank size should be the least of your concerns.

 

also, since the gas tank is further forward than in many cars, you can fit another gallon (or so) in the hose leading to it.

 

The tank is fine, with the mileage you can get. Think about it, if you're doing a lot of city driving, there will be gas stations everywhere, so you won't have an issue there. And if you're doing a lot of HW driving, then you'll get killer mileage and still be able to go just as far as a car with a bigger tank (but worst mileage). It really doesn't work itself out in the end. If you really want, just mod your gas tank to allow for it to hold more gas? haha

 

I learned from a Honda engineer that you're not supposed to top off the gas tanks. It actually hurts mileage cause of vapor combustion or something. Best mileage = filling up only to first cut off.

Thanks for the feedback guys. It's good to hear that the tank is not a problem for you. BUT if combined mpg is 29 how can you guys be getting cruising ranges in the 300s? Are you topping off your tanks? The new EPA mpgs are accurate in my experience. So I'm expecting to get about 29 mpg average over the course of a year. That's only about 270 miles a tank before I'd fill up (I like to fill up with no less than 1.5 gallon or so in tank). Well below 300.

I'm encouraged to hear your response and would love to get a MINIMUM of 300 miles before having to fill up. I get 300 minimum with FIT, I'm sold. But I don't see how this is possible with 29mpg and 10.6 gallon tank.

 

A smaller gas tank also reduces the weight (gas tank itself and the amount of gas carried) on your car giving you a bit better gas mileage, even if it's only like an extra 10-20 miles per month. That can add up over time.

 

in day to day driving situations, it may come up a little short, but think of how little it costs to fill up!


i will say that driving on the freeway and setting that sucker to cruise does worlds for the fits range.

 

From my experience it really really depends on how you drive and what kind of driving you have to do. If you're doing a lot of intercity driving, then chances are you might be able to push 300 if you're doing light acceleration and what not. If there are a lot of long stretches of cruising roads in the city you should be able to hit 500 without too much of a problem. Currently with winter here, I let my car warm up a bit, and driving's a bit more harsh so I usually fill up at 1/4 tank and I get about 190-210 miles on that 3/4 of the tank I use....it's a significant drop in economy but that's because of weather and driving conditions. Seriously though, if your deciding factor is between 270 miles and 300 miles before filling up, I think that's drawing too fine of a line.....just get the danged car. You're honestly not gonna get better fuel economy unless you say go with a prius or something, for a significantly higher price. That's my 2-cents anyways.

 

29mpg combined is actually not that realistic (for me). I get between 33-35mpg (actual calculations and not using the on-board readout).

My driving consists of daily city driving, 30mi hwy to work, 30mi stop & go home. I'd say it's a pretty good mix of city & highway. I accelerate pretty conservatively unless I need to merge/pass and travel 5mph above the speed limit.

By "top-off" I meant to the auto shutoff at the pump. When I fill up, I usually put in between 9.5-9.8 gal. So, that puts me right around the 320mi mark per tank.

 

Well 270 vs 300--I wanted 300 minimum. So I'm already having to drop my expectations way below what I didn't want to go below. Realistically, based on the calculations of my 97 civic, I should expect to fill up the Fit at about 252 miles. That sux. My Civic goes about 300 a tank with 11.9 tank and 30mpg. The Fit is 10.6 and 29 mpg. Thats 252.

 

I've been consistently getting 34-35 calculated mpg in normal L.A. driving, hence the 320 or so cruising range. Highway only I would get way over 40 mpg.

 

Thanks for the info

I wish I knew if i'd get 33-35 mpg. I drive conservatively, but again my experience is that the EPA's numbers tend to be accurate for the larger average. Wish I knew why you getting such good mileage.

 

sounds like you need to take your foot out of the pedal, I have not gotten below 34mpg mixed based on my calculations since I got my Fit.

 

You'll have to provide us with your driving style/conditions to help you with your 29 mpg. That seems a little low compared to most Fit owners. Even with enthusiastic driving 32 would be typical.

 

jenhonski,

I think that 29mpg figure is REALLY low balling what you'd actually get. The worst mpg that I got from a tank was 30, and that was only because I was trying to get a low figure.

 

The climate may influence results. I notice all you guys are in nice climate country.