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| The big news for Honda is its smallest entry in years is now arriving at dealerships.
The 2007 Fit is a subcompact hitting the U.S. market at a most opportune time. With gas prices in some parts of the Chicagoland area reaching heights north of $3 for regular unleaded, thrifty means of transport are suddenly very hip.
Fit is the new entry model now a rung below the long-running compact Civic, which was nicely redesigned for the 2006 model year. Although the 157.4-inch long Fit is about 20 inches shorter than Civic, it feels roomy inside. While Fit is new to the United States, it's been available in different markets around the world for several years.
In fact, all three of Japan's top automakers are introducing all new subcompact entries in the 2007 model year. Joining the Honda Fit is the 2007 Toyota Yaris, available in dealers in a three-door hatchback and four-door sedan body styles and the soon-to-arrive 2007 Nissan Versa, available as a four-door sedan or a four-door hatchback.
Mileage estimates for Fit check in at 33 miles per gallon city and 38 m.p.g. highway when mated with the five-speed manual transmission. Our test Fit added a five-speed automatic transmission which brought estimates down a bit to 31 m.p.g. city and 37 m.p.g. highway. Fit comes in two trim levels: base and sport. Both are powered by an inline, 1.5-liter, 16-valve engine delivering 109 horsepower. It's designed for optimal fuel economy, not zero to 60 miles an hour in 4.9 seconds.
The front-wheel drive, Japan-built Fit is available exclusively as an eye-catching five-door hatchback. It could be described as a scaled down Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe with the rear of the roof tapering down into the back hatch door area. In front are shades of the Volkswagen Beetle with a round, sloping hood except Fit's hood is shorter and more pointed at the end. Bulging headlight housing is molded into the side fender ends. Door handles are flush mounted and body colored. Elongated side door panels stretch along both sides making Fit look taller than it really is.
Base models come nicely equipped with such nuances as air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power steering, power outside mirrors, rear window defroster, rear wiper and compact disc player. Our test Sport trim added cruise control, keyless entry, upgraded stereo and wider tires. Options on both trims are minimal since no factory extras are currently offered, helping expedite the decision-making process.
Fit pricing starts at $13,850 for a five-speed manual. Base models with automatic transmission start at $14,650. Sport models check in at $15,170. Our test Sport model with automatic transmission start at $15,970. The bottom line was $16,520 when adding a $550 destination charge.
The lowest-priced 2006 Korean-built Chevrolet Aveo five-door hatchback starts at $9,350 for a 'special value' edition delivering 103 horsepower from a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine. A 2007 Toyota Yaris with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 106 horsepower starts at $10,950 for a three-door hatchback and $11,825 in a four-door sedan model. These prices are based on models with manual transmission.
The Fit's rear hatch, hinged at the top, lifts up from the bottom as one unit high enough that even those 6-feet, four-inches tall will not bump up against the door when standing tall and loading or unloading items from the hatch.
Inside, headroom is plentiful in back and front. Ceiling handles are found above all four doors. It's a roomy-feeling interior for a subcompact. The seating position is a bit lower than a Toyota Matrix or Ford Focus wagon, but higher than most sports cars. Cloth seating comes standard. The vehicles rounded hood design makes it tough to visually find the front end when making parking maneuvers.
The long wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) creates a wide opening for the two rear doors because the rear tires are pushed far enough back low legs swing in and out with ease. Two adult riders fit most comfortably in back in the Fit and two additional beverage holders are molded into the doors.
Honda also relocated the diminutive fuel tank towards the center of the vehicle, enhancing rear floor space. Rear seatbacks incorporate a 60/40 split. Once a latch at the top of each back cushion is lifted (and the head rest removed), the seat back folds down on the cushion below. When rear seats are completely folded, a flat plane level with rear cargo floor is created.
Power window and lock buttons are found on the driver's door while power outside mirrors are monitored from a dashboard square in the far left hand side. The instrument panel consists of three independent, deep set gauges. The left-side tachometer includes a convenient secondary vertically arranged gear shift indicator. The extra large fuel gauge indicator on the right is easy to view at a glance and also includes digital odometer readouts. At night, the instrument panel lights up in colorful red, blue and white lighting.
In between front bucket seats is a hand-operated parking brake and some storage nooks. Two side-by-side beverage holders are far forward. No flip-top storage bin is here; instead Honda opts for beverage holders accessible to back-seat travelers.
The center dashboard incorporates a new look with sound system (AM/FM/compact disc player) towards the top. It has the outline of a hand-held hair dryer with a large, circular left side (with a large center volume dial) and a tubular-rectangle shape to the right with preset buttons and digital readouts. An air conditioning and rear window defroster buttons are near by. Below is the ventilation system, set back a bit, with three easy-to-find circular dials monitoring fan speed, direction and temperature.
As with the recently redesigned Civic, Honda includes many air bag technologies standard. Dual front, side and side curtain air bags come standard. Also standard are anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution. This volume of safety technology is rare in a compact, let alone a subcompact like Fit.
Honda's Fit is a well thought car with an impressive array of standard safety features. It's designed for the big and fairly tall even though it's a subcompact. Braking is responsive and this vehicle is more nimble around corners than its outward appearance would indicate. When 'flooring' this vehicle, there is brief hesitation before cranking up speed since a 1.5-liter variant, not a 6.0-liter powerhouse is under the hood. The trade off is decent gas mileage.