Hi all,

I have two Honda Fits I'm currently looking at. Both are reasonably priced with low mileage. One is a 2012, the other a 2015. Both base models with no additional packages.

From your experience, which would you prefer? I'm seeing a fair bit of complaints around the overall build quality, attention to detail, and recall problems around the 2015. Is the 2012 a more reliable option?

Thanks!

 

When was the 2015 built? CVT or 6MT? 2012 CVT or 6MT?

Quality issues are varied. Any internet forum will exaggerate quality issues, including this one. More people come here for advice than to say their car has no issues. There are lots of people here that have 2015 Fits from Mexico, all with no issues. Read more posts, especially the more open ended ones.

2015 Buyer's Remorse
There are others.

I would say that, from posts here, there is no consensus that the 2015 quality is inferior to the 2012 built in Japan. There are many compare and contrast posts as well as Youtube videos. You will find much more info on the internet. As well, this is the 2015-2016 forum, so you're only getting one half of the compare. There is another forum for the 2009-2013 Fits. Carpeting in both cars is inferior.

For sure the 2015 has 130hp and the 2012 has 117. Gas mileage is better on the 2015, as it has a newer engine. There is more rear passenger room but less cargo room for the 2015. Both have magic seats. When seats are folded down the 2012 has 7 sq ft more space than the 2015. The recalls have just been announced, and all manufacturers have recalls on a regular basis, including Honda.

 

Is the gas mileage really better?

Thus far, GoBucky gets similar mileage to the GE MPG champion, but on average I know I'm higher than almost all the GK people I see & I'm not a hugely efficient driver.

There is less passenger room in the 2015 for anyone with a longish torso. I can't sit in the backseat of a 2015 without hitting my head on the headliner.

Neither car has much legroom for the driver, GK has a tiny bit less (IMO).

2015 has vastly inferior steering/brake/transmission feel.

2015 has 'nicer' electronics though, 2012 is more user friendly IMO.

 

There are 2 choices for the 2015 radio: LX/DX (Canadian) uses a 5" non-touch screen, and the EX uses a 7" touch screen. The 7" touch screen is relatively insensitive and I can't easily change the volume while driving. The 5" infotainment centre does its job, all without problems or drama, but is not touch screen. Other than bluetooth, neither does Android/iphone integration all that well. The EX has features such as the HDMI that only work when the car is in park and is near useless.

The 2015s have a built-in backup camera for all levels. The 2012 does not. Backup cameras will be a vehicle requirement in ~2018. The EX has the Lanewatch feature unavailable on the 2012 or 2015 LX trim levels.

 

reliable option is probably the 2012.

my '12 sport 5MT has had no issue, and i drive mine very hard at times.

my wife's '16 EX already had warranty repair done, and probably will have more as it ages. the overall quality is not that great, but try not looking at the car in detail. it's a 10ft car.