Throughout its yearlong test, Consumer Guide's editors will put Fit through its paces maneuvering the streets of Chicago and its suburbs.
First, the good bits, of which there are many. The 2009 Fit is as versatile and fun to drive as ever. Drivers and passengers of all shapes and sizes are enjoying Fit’s spacious cabin. The cargo hold can also carry an impressive amount of gear, especially when the cleverly designed rear seatbacks are down and flush with the load floor.
Long-Term Tests Over the course of a year, our editors drive
approximately 200 new cars and trucks. Most vehicles are evaluated over a
two-week period; some are evaluated for six to 12 months. The vehicles we drive
for this extended period of time are called Long-Term
Testers. |
The availability of a navigation system is a nice convenience not often found in small cars, and its voice recognition works well. Traction control and an antiskid system are noteworthy safety features, though we’re less than enthused that they’re only offered on navigation-equipped Fit Sports. They should be standard, or at least available, across the entire model lineup.
Our as-tested fuel-economy average of 31.9 mpg is good for a subcompact car with an automatic transmission, and we expect that figure to further increase with time.
We criticized the previous-generation Fit Sport for an overly firm ride, overt engine and wind noise, and some un-Honda-like cheap-looking interior plastics and fabrics. Unfortunately, these same “un”-pleasantries are still prevalent on the 2009 model. In 2007, we put a Fit Sport through its paces as an extended-use vehicle, and over the course of its stay, it developed some intermittent interior squeaks and rattles. Our 2009 test model appears to be suffering the same fate. We’re going to keep an eye on this as we put more miles on the car.
It’s arguably Fit’s price that has us scratching our heads the most. With destination, our 2009 Sport with navigation comes close to bumping its head on the $20,000 barrier. That’s a lot of money for a subcompact car. Few rivals, though, can match Fit’s blend of practicality, roominess, and drivability. That counts for a lot, but we need more time with this car to determine if it’s enough to overcome its faults and indeed retain its status as a Consumer Guide Best Buy.
| The Vehicle |
| Body Style: 4-door hatchback |
| Model: Sport w/navigation |
| Engine: 117-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Transmission: 5-speed automatic |
| Base Price: $18,960 |
| Price As Tested: $19,630 |
| Major Options: None |
| Total Measured Miles: 10,369 miles |
| Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 31.9 mpg |
| Problems During Test: None |
| Editors’ Comments |
| Tom Appel: Fit could be Honda's best car. Our loaded Sport is pricey for the class, but its potent combination of fun, frugality, and cabin space is hard to deny. And at about 350 pounds, I fit (pun ignored) better in this little Honda than I do in a Nissan Titan. If indeed we have entered a new era of national parsimony, I nominate the Fit as our poster child. |
| John Biel: There's a little bit more size, but what feels like quite a bit more refinement, to the new-generation Fit. It still suffers from being noisy, but it's gentle with a gallon of gas and, overall, eminently worthy of discerning shoppers' attention. |
| Rick Cotta: "Spacey" without being stupid. With its front quarter windows and avant-garde dash layout, one gets the feeling they're at the helm of the Enterprise. Yet this is without question one of the most sensible small cars in existence. The Sport with automatic combo seems at odds with the sporty feel--I keep wanting to shift for myself--and the base suspension is far better at soaking up the pavement imperfections so prevalent in Chicago. Prices may seem steep, but I can't think of another car that combines economy and utility better than the Fit. |
| David Hall: While on the upper end of the price spectrum in this class, Fit Sport combines great fuel economy and easy-to-park small size with quality feel, fun-to-drive attributes, huge interior room, and thoughtful flexibility and usability features. |
| Ed Piotrowski: At its heart, Fit remains an extremely practical, fuel efficient, and quite fun-to-drive little runabout. A few quibbles persist: No integrated wireless cell-phone link, antiskid only available on the most expensive model (Sport with navigation), a firm ride and seat cushions, and stiff-for-the-class pricing. Fit's virtues, however, largely overwhelm these vices. If you're considering a typical compact car (like Civic or Corolla), give Fit a look as well. |
| Jack Stewart: The Fit is economical, yet fun to drive. Even with an automatic it is responsive around town, although a buzzy engine means you'll back off the gas before the revs get too high. Its small size and sharp steering make it fun to toss around. With the Fit, saving gas doesn't mean sacrificing entertainment. |
10.27.2009
