Consumer Guide recently completed its yearlong evaluation of a 2007 Honda Fit. Fit, Honda's entry-level car, is a four-door, five-passenger wagon positioned below the Civic. Though Fit is 19.3 inches shorter than Civic, Honda designers were able to squeeze in nearly equal passenger space and more cargo room. Fit is offered in base and Sport models. The sole engine is a 109-horsepower 4-cylinder that mates to either the standard 5-speed manual transmission or optional 5-speed automatic. Steering wheel paddles for manual shift control are included on Sport models with the automatic. ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags are standard on all models. Sport models also include fog lamps, remote entry, cruise control, and a digital-audio connection.

Consumer Guide logged 8,754 miles during our test of the 2007 Honda Fit.

Our test car was a Sport model with a 5-speed manual transmission and an as-tested price of $15,720. Subcompact class rivals include the Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, Suzuki SX4, and Toyota Yaris. Well-equipped, Fit costs more than class rivals and approaches the price of larger, more powerful compact cars. Our question was, "Is the Fit worth the money?"

Around town the car was sporty and fun to drive, especially compared with its nearest competitors. Ride quality was good over small bumps, but larger ones could be unsettling. Steering was good, but some testers felt it would benefit from heavier feel. The car was stable at highway speeds but strong crosswinds and certain pavement conditions caused it to wander. One tester noted pronounced front-to-back rocking motions over certain highway expansion joints.

Most editors thought the 109-horsepower engine had adequate power when equipped with the manual transmission, but with four people aboard performance dropped noticeably. Careful gear selection was required to keep the engine revving near redline. Doing this creates quite a racket, though the sounds are refined. Most thought the shifter had smooth action, but several editors commented that shift throws were long. Over 8,754 miles, gas mileage averaged 31.9 mpg. When equipped with the optional automatic transmission, a test Fit Sport felt noticeably slower.

Fit's seats fold flat to carry larger items.

The car is small on the outside--wheelbase is 96.5 inches and overall length is 157.4 inches--yet there is a surprising amount of room inside for passengers and luggage. Our 6'6" editor commented that front seat headroom was outstanding, even if legroom was less than stellar. The driving position could be awkward for some with the clutch pedal too close and the steering wheel far away. One tester with large feet reported the pedals were spaced too close together, occasionally resulting in hitting the neighboring pedal along with the intended one. The dashboard design was well liked with clear, easy to understand controls, though sunlight could make the gauges and radio display hard to decipher. Several editors wished for a center console with an armrest.

Luggage space was more than ample for the car's diminutive size. The cleverly designed rear seat allows for several possible configurations. It can fold forward to create a large, flat load floor. The passenger side front seat can be folded flat as well, creating an area for long items. The rear seat cushions can also be folded up to create a car-wide space that is ideal for items like tall house plants. Some editors were disappointed that Honda did not include a cargo area cover so valuables could easily be hidden from view.

Some editors found Fit's mostly plastic cabin cheap looking; others thought it was budget-appropriate.

Opinions were mixed when it came to interior materials: some disliked the thin carpeting, hard plastic surfaces, and unfinished-looking cargo area; while others felt the interior was budget-appropriate considering the car's price. Several editors noticed growing squeaks and rattles during our extended test period. Engine, tire, and wind noise were all mentioned as being present in the cabin, though most thought the noise was not excessive.

While the Fit was spending the year at Consumer Guide headquarters in suburban Chicago, it took part in a four-car subcompact showdown. The face-off also included a Chevrolet Aveo LT, a Suzuki SX4, and a Toyota Yaris. Against these competitors, the Fit was deemed sportiest and most fun to drive. All agreed the Fit's cargo space was the best laid out and most versatile. In the end, Fit finished a close second to the Suzuki SX4. The SX4's horsepower advantage, higher level of standard feature--including AWD--and a very competitive sticker price tilted the scales in its favor.

Against many of its subcompact-class competitors, editors deemed Fit the most fun to drive.

Overall, Fit was generally well liked by the staff, but many wondered about the relatively high sticker price. More than one editor thought that it would be smart to spend $1,000-$2,000 more and move up to a more powerful, larger, and more refined compact car like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3.

Test Car Specifications Model: Sport Engine: 109-hp 1.5-liter 4-cylinder Transmission: 5-speed manual Total Miles Driven: 8,754 CG Observed Fuel Economy: 31.88 mpg Problems During test: None Base Price: $15,170 Price as Tested: $15,720 Major Options: None

Editors' Notes

Though Fit is 19.3 inches shorter than Civic, Honda designers were able to squeeze in nearly equal passenger space and more cargo room.

John Biel: There's no denying that the Fit is fairly inexpensive to buy, offers decent cargo space, and gets great fuel mileage. That said, this tester is increasingly disenchanted by the car's squeaks and rattles, a wobbly feeling shifter, and so-so traction in the snow.

Damon Bell: The Fit is a feat of space efficiency, with Honda's typical engineering excellence. But after spending 1,400 noisy, bumpy highway miles in our long-term Fit Sport, I'd gladly cough up the 1-2K extra for a more-comfortable, more-substantial Civic.

Chuck Giametta: Given the tiny footprint it places upon the road, Fit is likely the most space-efficient vehicle on sale in the U.S. It's also a vision of things to come, given the painful price of gas. Yes, you can buy less-expensive subcompacts, but you'll be hard-pressed to match Fit's blend of standard safety features, quality assembly, clever packaging, and Honda pedigree.

Tom Appel: Slow as this vehicle is, it is rewarding to drive. There's more lean than you'd expect in something this small and light, but the steering is a delight, and the engine is a blast to spool out--which you have to do if you have any intention of keeping up with traffic. Cabin and cargo-area materials disappoint and the price is high, but there's enough Honda spunk here to justify the purchase.

Rick Cotta: Fit costs more than other B-class cars, such as the Toyota Yaris, but might well be the class of the class. Interior materials best those of most rivals, and Fit's conventional instrument layout (located ahead of the driver) might appeal to folks who dislike the center-mounted gauges in most competitors.

Ed Piotrowski: Fit is a versatile little wagon that gets great fuel economy. But it's slow (even among others in the class), and the interior materials aren't up to Honda's usually high standards. It's also priced at the upper end of the new generation of subcompact cars. What would be a fine car from most other manufacturers is merely OK as a Honda. Honda's own Civic LX is far and away a better car, and it costs only $1,500 more than this Fit Sport.

Jennifer Geiger: Fit is a fun-to-drive, cleverly-packaged subcompact with quirky-cool styling. It belies its subcompact label with plenty of people and cargo space, yet impresses with subcompact-class fuel economy figures. The interior is a heaping bin of plastic, but its gauges are well laid out and easy to use. Despite Fit's compact car sticker price, this subcompact is worth a look.