Honda Fit owner eyes a Bolt, and drivers who made the switch say it's quicker, but less flexible

For drivers who loved the Honda Fit's tiny footprint and surprisingly large utility, finding a replacement that's also an EV can feel like a frustratingly narrow search.

That is why one driver took to Reddit's r/BoltEV community to ask whether the Chevrolet Bolt could serve as a replacement for the Fit. The discussion drew input from drivers who had owned both cars.

Here's what to know

In the Reddit thread, the original poster wrote, "I'm looking for a possible replacement for the Honda Fit," adding that "The Bolt gets mentioned in the r/hondafit forums as a possibility. Just wondering how you folks like it? Does it have similar space?"

Across the replies, former Fit owners generally said the Bolt feels comparable in overall size. Commenters also repeatedly described the Bolt as having much better acceleration, but they mourned the loss of some of the Fit's signature interior flexibility.

One driver who had owned both vehicles said, "The 2022 Bolt EV I have now feels like the same dimensions. Acceleration is way way better, and cargo volume is not so different with the seats up." The same commenter added, though, "Nothing beats those Magic seats when they are down."

Others drew much the same comparison, with another user adding, "The cargo area is better in the Fit, the acceleration and fun to drive is better on the Bolt."

Another commenter wrote that "part of the reason I bought [Bolt EVs] for my kids was because they were used to driving my Honda Fit. They're about the same size with similar visibility."

More background

Much of that discussion reflects what made the Fit so popular, as it packed a lot of usefulness into a very small hatchback and often seemed roomier than its exterior dimensions suggested.

Enthusiasm for the Bolt was still common. One commenter wrote, "I adored my Fit and love my Bolt even more. Similar personalities, similar space, but Bolt is so fun to drive."

Some commenters stopped short of calling the Bolt a direct replacement. 

One person who had owned multiple Fits and a Bolt said the "only downside vs. Fit is lack of cavernous, flat floor cargo area with seats folded down." 

Another said the gap was obvious when hauling bigger items, writing that large furniture that fit in a Fit "wouldn't come close to fitting in the Bolt."

For drivers whose use is mostly close to home, one commenter called the Bolt a "Perfect city/local car if you have level 2 charging at home." Owners also highlighted the broader EV upside, with one user writing, "I love all the time and pollution I save not pumping gas." 

Where can I learn more?

For anyone making the same Fit-versus-Bolt comparison, these stories offer a broader look at the tradeoffs. 

• For budget-minded drivers, owning an EV versus a gas car can bring surprisingly different long-term costs.

• Auto experts say it's time to debunk these myths keeping many Americans from EVs.

• Shoppers considering a Bolt kept hearing firsthand praise for EVs from current drivers.

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