The Honda Fit’s latest take on styling, functionality and interior packaging hits drivers hard and fast before they take their seat – with doors that open ultrawide on an expansive aperture, a seat mounted low within the body and space galore in all directions around it. Even boarding the Fit, with headroom aplenty and no need for taller drivers to duck, there’s a tremendous promise of space to spare.
Entry and exit are a cinch for occupants of varying sizes and mobility levels. An elderly dog or clumsy pup can simply walk into the rear seat area, and one human passenger, who recently underwent knee replacement, was pleasantly surprised at the ease of sliding into the Fit, and the ability to swing his legs in and out without undue bending or twisting. Headroom is abundant, outward sightlines are fantastic and the tight turning circle and high-definition backup camera add confidence in tight quarters.
The Fit’s cargo hold features a stretched-to-the-edges design for maximum space and a low floor for easy loading of taller items. Seatbacks fold full-flat in a jiffy, turning the Fit into a miniature cargo van. The second-row Magic Seat system enables flipping up of the seat bottoms, creating a lounge space for pets, room for a bicycle, a load of beach gear or any other awkward items. Compact cars don’t get much handier.
Up front, look for a covered centre console, a deep console bin, door bins, and no shortage of charging points. Touch-screen navigation, touch-tap automatic climate control (which doesn’t work with gloves), push-button start, and a partially-digital instrument cluster were all included in the top-line tester.
A 1.5-litre four-cylinder spins up 130 free-revving horsepower in all models. The engine is adequately quiet and smooth when driven gently, and performance is adequate or better, though the engine is fairly loud and hoarse if pushed, even slightly.
The Fit’s ride quality often falls at the mercy of the surface passing beneath. Rougher in-town roads can coax noise and harshness from the suspension, though smoother roads and highways see a ride that’s sporty, taut and comfortable over all. Notably, after dark, performance from the Fit’s halogen headlights is above-average in terms of the reach and spread of forward illumination.
Though Fit hits above its weight as a flexible and thrifty city runabout, it falls short on lengthier trips. Wind noise saturates the cabin by 100 kilometres an hour, the engine adding further noise during passing, merging and hill-climb situations. Further, though the Fit is a fuel sipper, a small tank means more frequent refuelling stops. Finally, with no armrest, it won’t be long before you’re trying to find a comfortable place for your right elbow.
Where shopper priorities include maximum space, utility, flexibility and mileage, the compromises should prove minimal – as Honda’s Fit is one of the most cleverly designed and handiest small cars on the scene today.
You’ll like this car if ... Space, flexibility, fuel-efficiency and city-friendly sizing take a higher priority than maximum refinement and minimal noise levels.
TECH SPECS
Base price: $14,790; as tested: $22,890
Engine: 1.5-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder
Transmission/Drive: Six-speed manual or continually variable transmission (CVT)
Fuel economy (litres/100 km with CVT): 7.3 city; 6.1 highway; 6.8 combined; regular fuel
Alternatives: Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa Note, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent
RATINGS
Looks: Though small and boxy, the Fit manages a detailed and energetic look that’s distinctive and upscale.
Interior: A touch of high-tech via numerous modern interfaces compensates for the Fit’s bland use of colour. Trim and accents are well used toward added depth and an upscale look.
Performance: The standard 1.5 litre four-cylinder is responsive for its size, loves to work, and sips fuel – though refinement and noise levels are below-average for the segment.
Technology: With navigation, Honda’s LaneWatch camera, push-button start, automatic climate control and high-tech touch-screen interfaces throughout, the Fit packs plenty of tech for the price.
Cargo: Simply, the Fit’s cargo hold is bigger than it looks and the interior is packaged with typical Honda genius towards maximum space and flexibility. Fit is a small car, but levels of space and flexibility are surprisingly generous.
THE VERDICT
8.5
For many shoppers, and especially city dwellers, the Fit should be considered a priority test-drive in a small and agile car that packs tremendous flexibility to adapt to any lifestyle or situation, all while keeping fuel use to a minimum.
We've redesigned the Drive section - take a look