Best Tires for a Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is niche, to say the least, truly loved by everyone who got a taste of it. Its small size and unparalleled versatility are two main features that people adore, especially those who live in the city. The Fit is one of the roomiest B segment cars out there, rivaling C class hatchbacks and wagons in terms of absolute trunk volume. As such, it is a strong contender for anyone who finds themselves having to carry a flat’s worth of items daily. Not only that, but you’re getting all this versatility with Honda’s renowned reliability. This is a tough package to match, and there are quite a few drivers out there who wonder what the best tires are to complement such a quirky, fun, and usable car.
Best Touring Tires for the Honda Fit
1.Michelin Agilis CrossClimate
Ride Quality: 9 Noise Comfort: 7 Handling: 8 Traction: 9
In some areas of the world such a fit is ill-advised, but in North America this combination is fine and nothing out of the ordinary. The Michelin Agilis CrossClimate isn’t designed for B segment cars at all, the tire’s destination being vans, trucks, and other commercial vehicles. Even if the Agilis CrossClimate wasn’t designed for the humble Honda Fit, it suits the Fit rather well indeed.
Being designed as a commercial tire, the Agilis CrossClimate is tough and can rack up miles like no other, especially when they are mounted on a Honda Fit. The tire block height is generous, and the sidewalls are tough, allowing your Fit to get over the roughest of pavement unscathed. Fuel economy should improve, seeing how the tire has fantastic rolling resistance which allows truck users to gain 2 mpg on average, so you could expect a 3-4 mpg increase.
The tread pattern is quite simple but sufficient and effective. It’s based on the staple CrossClimate V-type pattern, having the tire block split by a long sipe which is on the thicker side of the spectrum. The grooves are generous, providing you with great water evacuation and snow traction, proven by the M+S rating and the 3PMSF rating. This symmetrical pattern provides good on center feel, decent handling, and confident traction.
Where the tire is lacking is in overall comfort. Seeing how it’s a commercial tire, noise generation and comfort weren’t important for the tire. To counteract this, it’s advised to have the tires ever so slightly more deflated so they can cushion the road’s imperfection. Hydroplaning resistance isn’t fantastic, seeing how there’s only one sipe per tire block. However, these aren’t that important if you use your Honda Fit for transporting people for Uber or Lyft, and even goods.
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2.Kumho Crugen HT51
Ride Quality: 8 Noise Comfort: 8 Handling: 7 Traction: 7
In a similar fashion, we have the Kumho Crugen HT51. However, while the design similarity is striking, its real-life use and end goal is completely different. The Kumho Crugen HT51 can also be used on light trucks and commercial vehicles. However, comfort and traction were important traits for the engineers. This tire is also aimed at smaller crossovers and SUVs, where comfort is important, so the Honda Fit can use them reliably.
As a typical highway tire goes, its durability is stellar, featuring a maximum treadife warranty of 70,000 miles for Euro and P-Metric sizes. Even if we’re looking at a “commercial tire” which, sadly, doesn’t actually get this warranty, its durability remains very high. The sidewalls aren’t as tough, making the tire significantly more compliant and comfortable.
The tread pattern is interesting, featuring many tire blocks which span across 3 sections. Each tire block is cut across by many zigzag sipes, making the Kumho Crugen HT51 feel confident in the wet and in the snow. The grooves are generous, and when aided by those sipes allows the tire to earn a 3PMSF rating to attest its winter performance. The symmetrical design also showcases decent handling characteristics and overall traction, having a substantial contact patch.
The downsides of the tire are its price, being a tire which leans towards the expensive side of the bunch. Noise generated is quite apparent but moderate. The compound is somewhat soft, so expect difficulties while driving in heatwaves, both from a traction point of view but also from a durability one.
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3.Goodyear Assurance All-Season
Ride Quality: 10 Noise Comfort: 9 Handling: 7 Traction: 8
Breaking the apparent pattern of commercial tires which suit the Honda Fit rather well, we finally have a regular old all-season tire with the Goodyear Assurance All-Season. However, don’t think that because the tire isn’t commercial that it’s made out of jelly. The treadlife warranty stacks at 65,000 miles, and it’s the only tire which even has it because it isn’t classified as a commercial tire.
The compound is soft and sidewalls malleable, withstanding 350 lb less weight than the tires featured before. This indicates and proves that the ride is soft, compliant, and quite noise free. Goodyear tried their best to isolate and absorb the generated noise by alternating the tire blocks ever so slightly.
Speaking of tire blocks, the tread pattern is quite similar to Kumho’s, but it has a few distinct differences. The sipes are a lot curvier and the tread blocks are separated by thin grooves quite often. This breaks the tread pattern down, providing that needed noise absorption all while keeping its performance in the wet excellent. Even if the tread blocks are separated by those small grooves, the contact patch doesn’t get diminished all that much, and as such the resulting traction is still strong.
The tire’s low points are winter performance. The Goodyear Assurance All-Season isn’t suited for snow driving, at most being able to putter around in a light snow dust. While the tire is highly comfortable and compliant, its sidewalls dictate an uncertain feel behind the wheel if driven hard. This isn’t the case seeing how we’re talking about a Honda Fit, quick evasive maneuver might feel odd and dubious. Also, its softer compound indicates that wear in a hotter climate will be poor, similarly to the Kumho.
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Best All-Season Tires for the Honda Fit
1.Vredestein Quatrac
Ride Quality: 9 Noise Comfort: 8 Handling: 8 Traction: 8
Seeing how small the Fit’s wheels are, the Vredestein Quatrac is the best tire and only for a variable climate. It can be easily classified as an all-weather tire, having all the necessary abilities to perform remarkably in all conditions. If you’re driving your Fit in such a climate and you don’t have the room for two sets of tires, then the Vredestein Quatrac is a good fit for you.
The compound is quite special, having the ability to be quite soft and durable at the same time. The tread blocks aren’t notably tall, but even so you’re getting a 55,000 miles treadlife warranty for a compound which leans more towards the softer side. The sidewalls are tough but compliant, providing you with a fantastic road feel and traction due to small amounts of lateral flex while turning.
With a V-type pattern, the Vredestein Quatrac takes a bit of a detour from the regular V-type users. The tire features shoulders, and tire blocks, which isn’t all that amazing, but it also features a center V rib which spans across the entire circumference of the tire. This rib presents many zigzag sipes, providing you with great on-center traction allowing the tire blocks and shoulders to follow suit. Water is evacuated locally thanks to those sipes, flowing directly into some generous channels which expel it outwards with great efficiency. That V-type pattern coupled with those sipes also offers good traction in the winter.
Where the Quatrac loses points is in the noise generation department. It was one of the noisiest tires in a test, which translates to an apparent hum which some people may find annoying. Snow breaking performance isn’t fantastic, even if snow traction overall is quite decent, on par with mediocre winter tires. Also, ice performance is lacking, but that’s to be expected from an all-season/all-weather tire.
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Best Summer Tires for the Honda Fit
1.Yokohama Avid Ascend LX
Ride Quality: 10 Noise Comfort: 8 Handling: 7 Traction: 7
Even if many tires nowadays are marketed as “all-season” tires, more often than not that simply isn’t the case. However, even if their all-season performance is poor, their summer performance is exemplary. Such a case is the Yokohama Avid Ascend LX.
The compound is soft but highly durable thanks to Yokohama’s engineering team. They developed a curated rubber mix which keeps its softness in the hottest of weathers without tearing itself apart. The sidewall is, however, quite soft which is very apparent in hard turns, having significant amounts of lateral flex. While having such a flexible sidewall indicates uncertain handling during tough cornering, it also indicates one of the most composed rides out there.
Wet traction is decent thanks to the 4 generous grooves, while aquaplaning resistance is stellar, given by the many small sipes found on each tire block. The continuous center rib provides good on-center feel, while the shoulder grooves assist the mediocre lateral traction during rainy days. The tread pattern is perfectly symmetrical, and thanks to the reserved grooves the contact patch area is substantial, providing the Fit with great traction on dry tarmac.
As stated above, the Avid Ascend LX loses points on lateral traction, although it won’t be apparent on a Honda Fit. Thanks to the soft sidewalls, the tire also behaves rather poorly during hard breaking. The sidewall simply doesn’t have enough strength to withstand harsh breaking, but this dynamic should be marginally better in the Fit seeing how light it is.
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2.Hankook Kinergy PT
Ride Quality: 7 Noise Comfort: 7 Handling: 8 Traction: 8
If durability is a main concern, while still keeping more than adequate performance in all regards, then the Hankook Kinergy PT is a strong contender. We’re subtracting a bit from the tire’s general softness and plushness while offering a staggering treadlife warranty of 90,000 miles. If you rotate the tires around, these tires will surely last you a really long time.
The compound is designed to provide good abrasion resistance, sinking quite a bit of time into engineering this technology. This translates into that impressive treadlife warranty. Comfort-wise, the sidewalls are moderate in rigidity, having adequate amounts of comfort and traction during breaking and accelerations.
The tread pattern is pretty conventional, deploying an asymmetrical pattern which provides good traction all-around the board. The tire blocks are split by 2 medium-thickness sipes aimed at providing local water evacuation to aid wet traction. The center rib showcases an interesting pattern which is aimed at improving on-center feel all while directing the water while driving through deeper puddles.
The tire loses points in winter traction, having no real measures deployed to improve this kind of performance. For such a cheap tire, you could say that there’s little amounts of noise generated, but when you compare it to more reputable tires aimed at whisper-like sound characteristics this tire is indeed somewhat noisy. Overall, the tire’s good, it’s just that it doesn’t excel at anything in particular. If you want a balanced summer tire for your Honda Fit, this is your best bet.
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Best Winter Tires for the Honda Fit
1.Michelin X-Ice Snow
Ride Quality: 8 Noise Comfort: 6 Handling: 9 Traction: 9
For someone who sees snow and ice quite often, a dependable winter tire is a must in order to travel the roads safely. Having this in mind, your best bet is to buy a winter tire capable of everything without you having to add studs to it. A contender who fits these criteria is the Michelin X-Ice Snow.
The compound is highly engineered, adding a so-called inclusion technology making each individual tire block tougher and enhancing overall winter traction further. This also translates into good durability, Michelin providing a treadlife warranty of 40,000 miles which is rare in a winter tire. The sidewalls lean more towards the softer side of the spectrum, aiming to provide good comfort and increased traction on snow.
A V-type tread pattern is used, composed out of multiple smaller tire blocks which differ quite a bit from the CrossClimate V-type pattern. Each tire block is cut across by multiple zigzag sipes aimed at improving tire block flex, snow traction, and even local water evacuation. The same tread pattern provides good road feedback and decent on-center feel thanks to it being fully symmetrical.
For this complete package, you’re paying a pretty penny. The Michelin X-Ice Snow is one of the most expensive winter tires around. There’s plenty of noise generated from the tire, but it’s to be expected from a winter tire. Rolling resistance figure is also quite high, thanks to that inclusion technology, which will hamper your fuel economy on the highway.
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Best tires for the Honda Fit: Buying Guide
If your climate is mild, a touring tire on an all-weather tire is enough for your Honda Fit
The car is small and driven speeds are low. If you’re getting a qualitative tire, even if all-season, in a milder climate that sees a bit of snow but nothing major, your Honda Fit will be fine. Its rigid chassis helps traction, as such if you’re using a half-decent tire you will be mostly fine due to low speeds if driven carefully. If the weather tends to go towards extremes, it’s in your best interest to get an all-weather tire, at least, because even if the car is light and speeds are low, your Honda Fit can certainly lose traction if the conditions go for the worst. If you regularly see heavy snows and hot weathers, or you find yourself crossing a wide variety of climates ever so often, your best bet will be to get two dedicated sets of tires. Also please consider how wet the climate is, hydroplaning resistance and wet traction being of utmost importance in such a climate.
If you find that the weather is highly variable, try getting two sets of tires for your Honda Fit: one for summer and another for winter
Even if most brands sell their tires as all-season tires, more often than not they’re a summer tire. As such, if the temperatures reach 90 F and higher, try getting a summer tire because a regular all-season or all-weather tire won’t be sufficient. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself losing traction, leaving tire marks during hard breaking, or even shredding the tire in a few hundreds of miles. Likewise, if you regularly see yourself driving through ice or heavy snows, getting a proper winter tire is the safest option for your Honda Fit. Not only that, but seeing how the Fit’s wheels are quite small, two sets of tires are quite easy to store.
