Wow.
Every time a redesigned car comes along, it has to be better than the one it replaces. But, being more powerful, more spacious, and more environmental is not enough. Check every time a new model comes out. "Bigger! Longer! Wider!"
Take the Civic for example. It used to be a little 3-door soapbox 30 years ago, but it's now the size of a 10-year old Accord. The Civic we knew and loved when we first got our driver's license has grown up just like we did. As we get more mature, so does the Civic. The manufacturer's plan is simple: you're going to be a repeat buyer of the same model, since it still follows you through the course of your life.
Fine, except for one slight problem. The small and affordable Civic that once was, isn't anymore. So if you were shopping for a Honda subcompact recently, you were out of luck. Until now.
The new baby of the Honda family is born. Well, not quite, since it is already for sale in other markets, but you get the idea.
Styling
OK, it's not the Sport model, with its racy lower-body spoiler kit, but I still like the looks of the DX and LX Fits. The front end is especially cute, with its bug-eye headlamp clusters. The shape is very clean, aerodynamic, and full of character lines.
I don't like the hubcaps much, but I guess it's a question of taste. What's funny is that the wheels look miniscule, despite being 14-inchers.
On the road
While I was initially hoping for a manual-transmission Fit press car, I got an automatic. My disappointment didn't last long, since this 5-speed auto did well in extracting all 109 horsepower of the 1.5-liter, 16-valve engine.
There isn't much low-end torque, but it's sufficient for this car to accelerate briskly and keep a good highway pace.
What dazzles me about the automatic is that, at 120 km/h in fifth gear, the engine is only spinning at about 2,800 RPM. For a small car, that's great. Many subcompact (and compact) engines spin at 3,500 to 4,000 RPM at the same speed, which burn fuel for nothing, and are noisier. During a quick trip from Montreal to Québec and back, the Fit rewarded me with a fuel consumption average of 6.8 L/100 km. In short, every manufacturer should switch to 5-speed automatics as soon as possible, even if it's a low-budget model.
In terms of handling, what else do you expect from a pipsqueak car like this one? The Fit turns on a dime, and is quite fun to drive. It's light, nimble, and likes to be tossed around. In my humble opinion, the Yaris and Fit are the best handling models in the subcompact field. Braking is also pretty good and linear, and standard anti-lock with electronic brake distribution is standard on all models.
Every time a redesigned car comes along, it has to be better than the one it replaces. But, being more powerful, more spacious, and more environmental is not enough. Check every time a new model comes out. "Bigger! Longer! Wider!"
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Fine, except for one slight problem. The small and affordable Civic that once was, isn't anymore. So if you were shopping for a Honda subcompact recently, you were out of luck. Until now.
The new baby of the Honda family is born. Well, not quite, since it is already for sale in other markets, but you get the idea.
Styling
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
I don't like the hubcaps much, but I guess it's a question of taste. What's funny is that the wheels look miniscule, despite being 14-inchers.
On the road
While I was initially hoping for a manual-transmission Fit press car, I got an automatic. My disappointment didn't last long, since this 5-speed auto did well in extracting all 109 horsepower of the 1.5-liter, 16-valve engine.
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
What dazzles me about the automatic is that, at 120 km/h in fifth gear, the engine is only spinning at about 2,800 RPM. For a small car, that's great. Many subcompact (and compact) engines spin at 3,500 to 4,000 RPM at the same speed, which burn fuel for nothing, and are noisier. During a quick trip from Montreal to Québec and back, the Fit rewarded me with a fuel consumption average of 6.8 L/100 km. In short, every manufacturer should switch to 5-speed automatics as soon as possible, even if it's a low-budget model.
In terms of handling, what else do you expect from a pipsqueak car like this one? The Fit turns on a dime, and is quite fun to drive. It's light, nimble, and likes to be tossed around. In my humble opinion, the Yaris and Fit are the best handling models in the subcompact field. Braking is also pretty good and linear, and standard anti-lock with electronic brake distribution is standard on all models.