The happy petit 16-valve SOHC engine displaces 1.5-litres. It benefits from Honda's i-VTEC, variable valve timing technology, which gives it plenty of spirit, but not a lot of punch. While its attempt at feistiness is commendable, its overall level of operational refinement isn't. Under hard acceleration, and even moderate pull-aways, the auditory feedback is too coarse for my liking.
My Sport model tester was equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. While this mixer shifted nicely, it should be noted that some of the Fit's competition, such as Nissan's Versa, are fitted with six-speed manual transmissions rather than five speed boxes. The Fit's optional automatic transmission is a 5-speed affair.
Ride and drive
Occupants in the 2009 Fit will undoubtedly tout its roominess and its mostly unobstructed 360-degree visibility out its expansive windows. In fact, visibility is a noteworthy virtue of the Fit. It's too bad that all cars don't provide their drivers with a similar panorama.
The broad field of vision nicely complements the Fit's incredible agility. Although a somewhat tall vehicle, the Fit feels well adhered to the pavement as it instantly reacts to steering inputs. Now I had the privilege of driving the Sport version, which is equipped with front and rear stabilizer bars. The non-Sport versions of the Fit only receive a front stabilizer.
To what degree the addition of the rear stabilizer augments the Fit's handling I'm not sure. I'm also unsure to what degree the Sport suspension affected my tester's ride quality but I found the car to be a little stiff on its legs. Of course, leg adoration is a personal thing so I'll leave that up to my readers to determine.
I was also found road noise to be slightly more intrusive than I would have expected. This characteristic seemed more prevalent at lower speeds rather than at highway numbers, and of course it was dependent on road surface.
Occupant protection a Honda priority
Honda didn't overlook safety and occupant protection when engineering the Fit. The car receives ACE body structure engineering to reduce incursion into the passenger cell during a collision. A full suite of airbags supplied as standard equipment, including side curtain airbags, further protect those onboard.
The Fit is also equipped with antilock brakes as standard equipment; disc in the front and drum in the rear. The binders reacted quickly, providing strong linear performance.
Fit-ness
Honda's 2009 Fit expands upon the virtues that have made this car so popular among folks seeking economy and value without jettisoning practicality. This "big" little car will surprise the uninitiated with its commodious cabin and outstanding cargo capability.
It's also a lot of fun to drive and delivers impressive fuel economy. The next step in the Fit evolution needs to be operational refinement.
photo:Rob Rothwell
My Sport model tester was equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. While this mixer shifted nicely, it should be noted that some of the Fit's competition, such as Nissan's Versa, are fitted with six-speed manual transmissions rather than five speed boxes. The Fit's optional automatic transmission is a 5-speed affair.
Ride and drive
Occupants in the 2009 Fit will undoubtedly tout its roominess and its mostly unobstructed 360-degree visibility out its expansive windows. In fact, visibility is a noteworthy virtue of the Fit. It's too bad that all cars don't provide their drivers with a similar panorama.
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| The engine offering 117 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm and 106 pound-feet of torque @ 4,800 rpm. |
The broad field of vision nicely complements the Fit's incredible agility. Although a somewhat tall vehicle, the Fit feels well adhered to the pavement as it instantly reacts to steering inputs. Now I had the privilege of driving the Sport version, which is equipped with front and rear stabilizer bars. The non-Sport versions of the Fit only receive a front stabilizer.
To what degree the addition of the rear stabilizer augments the Fit's handling I'm not sure. I'm also unsure to what degree the Sport suspension affected my tester's ride quality but I found the car to be a little stiff on its legs. Of course, leg adoration is a personal thing so I'll leave that up to my readers to determine.
I was also found road noise to be slightly more intrusive than I would have expected. This characteristic seemed more prevalent at lower speeds rather than at highway numbers, and of course it was dependent on road surface.
Occupant protection a Honda priority
Honda didn't overlook safety and occupant protection when engineering the Fit. The car receives ACE body structure engineering to reduce incursion into the passenger cell during a collision. A full suite of airbags supplied as standard equipment, including side curtain airbags, further protect those onboard.
The Fit is also equipped with antilock brakes as standard equipment; disc in the front and drum in the rear. The binders reacted quickly, providing strong linear performance.
Fit-ness
Honda's 2009 Fit expands upon the virtues that have made this car so popular among folks seeking economy and value without jettisoning practicality. This "big" little car will surprise the uninitiated with its commodious cabin and outstanding cargo capability.
It's also a lot of fun to drive and delivers impressive fuel economy. The next step in the Fit evolution needs to be operational refinement.
photo:Rob Rothwell
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