I own a 2007 model Fit and am pretty satisfied with its tossability, handling characteristics and cargo capacity. The only things I'm not happy with are the comfort of the seats during long drives, and the fact that it's under powered.
I've driven the 2009 model and I find that the 2007 is still more fun to drive and has a more 'sporty' feel.
I'm looking forward to test driving the 2015. All the reviews I've read so far indicate that the handling characteristics are 'softer' than the previous two generations (you can tell by now that sporty handling, and 'fun to drive' are high on my priority list).
Which generation Fit do you all prefer- the 2007, 2009, or 2015?

 

From a pure daily driving utilitarian standpoint, I am sure the 15' is nicer. From a pure joy of driving and fun factor. I won't sell my GD. Plus they are rarer in the states.

 

2013 Fit 5 MT. Have never driven a 1st gen Fit. One thing I do like is that Fit is a "big" car for it's class. Taller and bigger than Fiesta, etc. It could almost be a Civic hatch. Would like to drive a 15 Fit, just to compare it to my car.

 

I agree with OP. I love the GD1! First time i test drove it, i'm amazed by its handling! But i like the upgrades of the GE8 and to me it handles close to the GD1.

 

GD3! I test drove some GE's and wasn't convinced. Just like the raw, gokartness of the GD. I just wish I had a telescoping steering wheel. I do find it very hard to give my passengers a smooth ride (sorry mom)! But that might be a result driver incompetence rather than the car. Oh yeah and it lacks a dead pedal but I put one in.

In both the GE and GD I find the pedals are too close together. I understand for the gas and brake but I wish the clutch was farther away so I dont have to look like an Irish dancer every time I wanna change gears lol

 

Hard to say I prefer a 15 as there are none here yet. I will keep my 09 GE. Never been in a GD.

 

Of course, I haven't driven the new 3rd gen, so I am conjecturing, based on various reviews i have read/seen. That being said, onward:

Fuel effeciency: 2015, 2007, 2009

Instrument panel: 2007: clean, simple, ergonomic - knobs can be adjusted by feel.
2009: change for the sake of change. unaesthetic, quirky.
2015: Too fussy, not a fan of touch screens - dangerous.

VISIBILITY:

1>Mirrors: 2009: rectangular. large field of vision - perfect.
2015: tapered, but have a compressed view near outside edge. Acceptable.
2007: always thought they were a bit small, oddly shaped.

2>Windows: 2009: Large windows, low belt line. Good (by today's abysmal standards)
2007: A-pillars a bit thick. Rear 3/4 view a bit smaller.
2015: Rising belt line. THICK D-pillars, small 3/4 windows. Partly mitigated by cameras. ugh

THE DRIVE:

Handling: 2007: felt like a go-kart. In a good way!
2009: Still pretty good, but a bit muted.
2015: C&D et al. feel it has been softened even more. Probably still OK though.

Acceleration: 2015, 2009, 2007

Braking: ?

Ride: Guessing the 2015 wins this one. That bar was apparently set pretty low. ;-) (Actually, not one of my priorities).

Manual Transmission: 2007, 2009 (tie). 5 speeds, no fuss.
2015: 6 speeds, but same high revs - why bother?

Auto Transmission: 2007, 2009 ((tie). No surprises. Acceptable.
2015: Don't trust belt driven transmissions. Might be OK with a chain, though. Subaru?

OTHER STUFF:

Cargo: 2009, 2015(?), 2007(?) iirc

Long Term Durability: 2007 and 2009 (tie) - old, but proven technology
2015: DI high pressure lines and injectors scare me when 10+ years old.
CVT belt may fail catastophically, eventually. (I fear)

Safety: No contest. 2015

Hope i haven't offended any owners of these cars. I like all the Fits, and am seriously considering getting a 3rd gen.

 

I personally love the GD. Having never driven a GE or a GK, I can't say much about them.

I have however been in a GE, and it seems a little numb and engine noise doesn't flow into the cabin like it does in the GD. That can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on person.

The GD is really close to the old "real" Honda's - in my opinion of course. Light, peppy, and just seems a lot more raw (that's how I'd describe it) than the GE. Of course I've never had any wheel time, just seat time, so I should keep mum!

I love all generations of Fit except the 2015 GK which still hasn't appealed to me.

 

Own an '08 GD A/T bare bone stock and it continues to serve me faithfully. As with some posts here, it drives like a Honda of old. Frugal, unproblematic, compact exterior and great "off the mark driveability". Got this as my very first sub-compact and have never regretted that decision. Would have been better if it were an M/T but was purchased as an end-of-the-year model and got a blazing deal from the selling dealership.
After driving a GE '11 Sport M/T couple of years ago, liked that it tamed the rear end bonce over bumps better. But overall, the minimal exterior revisions, gave me no reason to change. If I didn't already own a GD, would have definitely bought a GE M/T.
After knowing an "all-new" replacement was coming (Detroit Show) placed an order for a GK last Feb. (spec'd w/ the dealership this month as an LX M/T after the model line-up and pricing were revealed). Miles on my GD is getting up there, but then that's my excuse for upgrading. Both the exterior and initial MPG estimates captured my initial interest and subsequent commitment.
Never spent a cent on mods for the GD, but this time expenditures is a certainty after seeing all the pics FF guys have tastefully done. Only visual mods though.
Since joining this forum last March, will surely keep posting, for the next decade, of continuing Fit ownership. Some here have concerns but without actual ownership, these may be pre-mature. Will be one of the "true" guinea pigs to document a long term GK experience.
In conclusion, I prefer them all!!!

 

15 fit M/T only cos its rare now, plus where i am they are currently only available in A/T.

But i'm biased towards the GD.. better lines compared to the GE.

 

I've never been in a GE or test drove a GK but I agree.

Since the Fit was introduced in 2001 it really does feel like an older Honda from that time era. Big difference is the DBW throttle.

I remember I was at Honda one day getting recall work done, and one of the techs said the 1st Gen is like a little tank. Also said the newer Honda's aren't built like this anymore. He owned one but wanted to buy another cause they are so reliable and fun.

 

i saw the new fits in person in japan. they get a

 

Don't know because I haven't test driven the GK yet.

I won't be trading in, but i'm interested to see how the GK 6MT feels.

 

redsun, good review.

I own a GD3 and prefer it over the GE and GK, though I have never been in either of the two. I just don't like the body styling on the post-1990s Hondas. While the GD looks like a bottle-nose dolphin or a skate shoe, I prefer it over the GE because the GE's windshield is like 4ft/1.5m long. Huge slanted windshields bother me. The new goofy-looking front Honda grilles bother me too. I think they look ugly.

 

DWils, the GD3 still catches my eye. IMHO it is still the best looking Fit. Wouldn't it be great if Honda revived the GD3 as a "Fit Classic", and sold it alongside the GK! Despite the many advances, I would be greatly torn between the two models.

There are precedents among car makers: the Sentra, and the Golf have both done this. Might be embarrassing though, if the old model outsold the new one, or got better reviews. While we're BlueSkying, I would love a revived 4th generation (1987 - 1991) Civic HB. Personal apex of Honda small car design for me...

 

The '13 is torqueier. The steering is more responsive. The '15 less tossable and felt like a Civic.

The '15 has better suspension and I could feel the stronger frame and improved shocks. There is less lean in curves, less vibration and better on a long drive I imagine.

But I was surprised. I parked them side by side and I like the '13's aesthetics better. I compared cargo with seats down/flat mode. The 2013's five extra cubic feet space is noticible ... (57 cubic feet vs 52).

I thought I'd be tempted to trade in but I wasn't and I am very happy with what I have.

 

I own a 2008 but prefer the 2009 model stock. However I would never trade the sheer amount of aftermarket support that the gd has vs the ge or gk. Neither come close to the amount of awesome things you can get and do to the gd. I choose my 08 over both any day. If I was in the market for a new car now i honestly wouldn't even bother with the gk. The styling reminds me of a mini van with a cheap body kit. I would just buy a used 4 door si from the last gen or an frs

 

Aesthetics (stock for stock) - GE (Kouki) > GD > GE (Zenki) > GK
Aesthetics (modified) - GD > GE (Kouki) > GE (Zenki) > GK

Driving Experience (stock) - GD > GE (by a very small margin, each has +/-) > GK (Larger margin)

Comfort - GE > GD/GK

Practicality - GE/GD > GK (HUGE Margin, GK's seats do not fold down flat, rear seat has limited headroom)

Tuning Potential - GD > GE > GK.

IMO, one can not go wrong with either a GD or GE, based on my experience driving the GK & seeing all the QC issues with the GK....one can go wrong with that.

 

if the new fits were still made in japan there wouldve been NO question to replace my aging 09 with the 15 for the wife.

but since they arent, im pretty certain to go with the 15 impreza hatch.

 

I thought for sure that I was going to get a GK. But after seeing it in person, I'm not that big of a fan. Certainly nicer than my GD, but it's lost the "Fit" appeal to me. Maybe it is too refined for me. But they're nice cars.

For me, looks wise, GE wins (the latest facelift, whenever that happened). Driving, GD works better for me.