The Older Honda Car That's Still Worth Buying In 2026

Honda has a long history of dependable vehicles, with many models famous for staying reliable well after 200,000 miles on the road. While models like the Civic, Accord, and CR-V tend to stand out in terms of popularity, even discontinued models like the Honda Fit can be viable options for drivers shopping the used car market. In fact, in early 2026, iSeeCars ranked the Honda Fit as the No. 1 most reliable five-year-old used car you can buy.

First introduced in North America for the 2007 model year, this subcompact hatchback was discontinued in the U.S. after the 2020 model year. That year, the Fit had a new starting MSRP of $17,120 after fees, with even the premium EX-L trim level listed for a reasonable $21,550. As of August 2026, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) projects these same models range in price on the preowned market for between $15,100 and $18,300, on average. Seeing as how KBB also reports the average used car sold for $27,027 in June 2026, it's easy to see why the Fit could be a good choice. 

However, it's not just price informing the Fit's strong reputation. Much like other Hondas, this model boasts an exceptional lifespan, with iSeeCars projecting that even a five-year-old Fit could keep driving for another 10.9 years — compared to the 7.4-year average you can expect from other cars of a similar age. Based on the Fit's average list price, as of December 2025, iSeeCars estimates that drivers would only end up spending the equivalent of $1,693 per year on the vehicle — roughly half the industry average.

There can be a lot to learn before buying a used car, and knowing that a car's sticker price isn't the only avenue for savings can be one of them. The Environmental Protection Agency's FuelEconomy.gov reports that the 2020 Fit gets a combined 36 miles per gallon. That may be a far cry from the most fuel-efficient car of 2026, but it still exceeds iSeeCars' reported 33-mile-per-gallon average for new cars in the subcompact category. As of 2022, the Federal Highway Administration reports that the average American drives 13,476 miles a year, and in August 2026, AAA reports that the average gallon of gas in the U.S. is $4.08. All combined, this means the average Fit driver could expect to spend roughly $1,527 per year on gas. 

For comparison, the more popular 2020 Honda CR-V only achieves a combined 30 miles per gallon, per FuelEconomy.gov. Assuming the same gas prices and annual miles, a driver would spend around $1,833 on fuel per year, or $3,335 more over the Fit's estimated lifespan. Moreover, 2020 may be the latest Fit model year, but it's certainly not the only one. Drivers looking to maximize their savings further could consider an older Fit, with KBB reporting that the 2016 Honda Fit has a starting fair purchase price of around $11,200, while the 2013 model is one of the most retirement-friendly used cars for under $10,000.