Edmunds: 2009 Honda Fit Sport Full Test

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

One of the UK reviews said this about the handling:

.

I wonder if the Jazz/Fit destined to UK and the rest of Europe came from another plant or if some beancounters played a role?

Then on the other hand with the Ford Fiesta coming here (and the upcoming "B-car" joint-venture from Chrysler & Nissan), there some rumors then Mazda will bring the Mazda 2 in North America, I guess the new Fit won't stay on its throne for long.

[GMC-70]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

I'm not overly impressed with the fuel economy numbers as they're down a hair and I'm a bit worried about the handling/steering feel, but I like everything else so far. I guess I need to go drive it, even though I'm leaning towards an HHR if I do get something.

For about the same price you can get an HHR which in my view is a much better car then the Fit and you only sacrifice a few mpgs. I am really suprised GM doesn't push this care more. I never see any ads for it, but from what I hear they are exceeding sales expectations since its inception.

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by GMC-70

For about the same price you can get an HHR which in my view is a much better car then the Fit and you only sacrifice a few mpgs. I am really suprised GM doesn't push this care more. I never see any ads for it, but from what I hear they are exceeding sales expectations since its inception.

True, but the Fit has a sportier/lower car-like stance and better handling. And a better interior IMO, but that's subjective.

[Ach]

33-35 highway is a joke for a car this small and underpowered. I understand that it is a nice package for the dough, but there is no reason why this car should be returning worse highway mpg than a Civic. And as the price creeps towards 17K (17.9 loaded with NAV) I can't imagine choosing this over the Civic.

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by Ach

33-35 highway is a joke for a car this small and underpowered. I understand that it is a nice package for the dough, but there is no reason why this car should be returning worse highway mpg than a Civic. And as the price creeps towards 17K (17.9 loaded with NAV) I can't imagine choosing this over the Civic.

It may seem like a joke, but the high ass end of a wagonish hatchback is no match to the sleek sedan of the Civic. So, you get a choice. You can have a super easy to maneuver Fit for mostly city driving, with the added bonus of a highly configurable interior in spite of its short length. Or you can get a common and average Civic that is longer, and well doesn't exactly look to awesome itself. But you are on to something....you say you'd chose a Civic over a Fit, and no doubt so will most Americans. Civic will still outsell the Fit. I'm just saying the Fit will make a lot more sense for the mostly urban crowd where its superior city mpg will be more welcome than it's lack of high highway mpg.

[genjy]

The Fit will likely have more performance aftermarket support than the non-Si Civics.

To me, that's what really counts between the two.

[johnstarnes]

I think it looks great....reminds me of the Beat but better...plus it is for sale NOW vs. MAYBE in 2012 for the next-gen Beat.

[Ach]

Originally Posted by genjy

The Fit will likely have more performance aftermarket support than the non-Si Civics.

To me, that's what really counts between the two.

With 115 bhp it needs all the support it can get.

But seriously- 18K for loaded Fit plus aftermarket puts the bill dangerously close to the superb Civic Si (which dealers around here are willing to let go for close to invoice these days). I admit I am biased here because I think the Civic Si sedan is one of the best cars on the market for the money.

It may seem like a joke, but the high ass end of a wagonish hatchback is no match to the sleek sedan of the Civic. So, you get a choice. You can have a super easy to maneuver Fit for mostly city driving, with the added bonus of a highly configurable interior in spite of its short length. Or you can get a common and average Civic that is longer, and well doesn't exactly look to awesome itself. But you are on to something....you say you'd chose a Civic over a Fit, and no doubt so will most Americans. Civic will still outsell the Fit. I'm just saying the Fit will make a lot more sense for the mostly urban crowd where its superior city mpg will be more welcome than it's lack of high highway mpg.

Yeah, I guess I can see the uniqueness thing...but still, you have to keep in mind that the Civic can actually get out of its own way while returning 3 mpg better on the highway.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by genjy

The Fit will likely have more performance aftermarket support than the non-Si Civics.

To me, that's what really counts between the two.

Same here.....hadn't really thought about it before, but this could be a pseudo-Scion fighter.......


(PS....Honda, just suck it up and hybridize this thing!)

[Minnesota Nice]

Originally Posted by Ach

33-35 highway is a joke for a car this small and underpowered. I understand that it is a nice package for the dough, but there is no reason why this car should be returning worse highway mpg than a Civic. And as the price creeps towards 17K (17.9 loaded with NAV) I can't imagine choosing this over the Civic.

The Civic is not really built that well. Many Civic owners on the forum I post on also own Fit and they think the Fit is built much better.

My own opinions here: The Fit has similar economy to the competition. Both the Aveo, Yaris, and Fit beat the hell out of the Versa. But the Fit beats the hell out of both the Aveo and the Yaris in terms of build. Easily. Anyone with two objective eyes can tell.

The economy is close to the same for all of those cars. By extension, you're insulting the Aveo/G3 because it gets similar economy, only it's built much worse.

PS, my Civic Si has seen up to 37 miles a gallon on the highway only. It's only rated 20/29, if I recall correctly. Most Fit owners see well over 40, from what I've read.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

PS, my Civic Si has seen up to 37 miles a gallon on the highway only. It's only rated 20/29, if I recall correctly. Most Fit owners see well over 40, from what I've read.

That's why I don't really like the EPA and their 'estimates'........average buyers can skew those all over the place (getting lower or vastly higher MPG)