Jazz/Fit

Vehicle: 2009 Honda Fit Sport with automatic transmission
Price as tested: CDN$20480

Performance: As with the rest of the Honda range, the new Fit is benefitted from the advanced of i-VTEC technology. With the intelligence part build into Honda’s excellent variable valve timing technology, it improves the bottom end performance which is most needed in the subcompact class. As with the new Fit, its little 1.5 liter 4-cylinder 16-valve SOHC i-VTEC mill is good for 117 ponies and 106 lb/ft of torque. In terms of numbers and real-life experience, both are at the top of its class. The engine refinement, NVH control and smoothness are all up to Honda’s usual high standards. It doesn’t have the noisy racket feel as in many of its competitors. Instead, its a responsive and smooth unit which feel really at home for cars a class or 2 above, which is a very high praised indeed. Even though its on SOHC instead of DOHC, this little motor remains eager when revving into high rpm. Another Honda VTEC character remains intact even with the intelligent build in to improve low-end grunt. While 106 lb/ft of torque might not sound like much, especially with its maximum torque arrives at 4800rpm. It feels aplentry down below. Mated to this class-leading motor is the equally impressive 5-speed automatic. When Honda launched the previous Fit, we criticized the reluctant response of the paddle shifters in the auto box. Because of the lack of a proper manual mode on the gearlever, Honda decided to drop this feature as a whole. This is the right move because Fit’s target audience are usually those who leave it in “D” for the rest of the vehicle’s driving lives. As for the gearbox, its smooth and coordinated. The 1st and 2nd gears are low enough for enthuisastic launch. 3rd and 4th for proper mid-range and 5th is great for comfortable highway cruising. If you still wish to shift’em yourselves, Fit still available with the sweet 5-speed manual. The throws are short and clutch is easily modulated.

Handling: One of the most likable traits of the outgoing Fit was its entertaining demeanor, the new one is no exception. With a strong fundamental to begin with. A strong and stiff chassis that is completely free of any rattles and cracks, combined with the suspension that is so well-caliberated. The result is a Fit handles as good as anything else out there. The electric power steering has nice balanced of weight and feedback without the usual numbness. The ride quality is supple and comfortable, without any of the loose feeling as with some of its peers. It rides exactly like a Honda does, which combined ride and handling exceptionally without being softly sprung or underdamping. There is a slight body rolls and understeer is minimal. To put understeer into perspective, Fit has to be considered as one of the most balanced front-drive hatchbacks I have ever driven. Fit continues to handle like a sports car wraps in a subcompact car’s clothing. The amount of speed going into corners can rivalled many of those sports cars, however, without any of their bouncy ride quality. How sweet is it?

However, there is not without a major complaint. That’s with the feature difference between Canadian and American market Fit. In the States, you can get a Fit Sport equipped with Vehicle Dynamic Assist or VSA. That’s Honda’s language for electronic stability control. That’s even if you have to opt for the navigational system. Here in Canada, you can’t get this active safety feature regardless of price. C’mon Honda Canada. If you are going to called your company “safety for everyone”. Does Fit stand for no one?

Brakes: We still have to give Honda credit for making ABS standard across the board of Fit despite of VSC’s criticism. With standard front discs and rear drums with standard ABS, Fit’s pedal feel and modulation continue to be the best-in-class. The stopping distance is short, while ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily. The pedal feel is solid and modulation balanced. This is the hallmark of an excellent braking system.

Interior: Fit’s cargo space continues to amaze when its entered its 2nd generation. Honda has improved the rear-seat fold-down system for improved user-friendliness. In the previous car, you have to pull up the seat cushion before you can fold down the rear seats completely. With the new car, you just have to fold down the rear seats with the switch on the seatbacks. After fold down the 60/40 rear seats, the Fit got 1622 liters of cargo space. With Fit’s tall stance, it got more cargo space than any of its peers or those above. Best of all, the floor is completely flat when all folded down.

When it comes to ergonomics, Fit is almost flawless. Everything else from the stereo to the climate control are so logically layout. Anyone can easily fit the right button with a single glance. The same goes for the clear and analog instrumentation gauges. When it comes to interior materials and fit-and-finish, Fit remains the best-in-class. There are classier materials with even tighter tolerance for gaps. Velour seats are comfortable and well-foamed. If there is one drawback, it has to do with its mickey mouse fuel economy gauge. We always complained if you drive hard, you tend to get worsen fuel economy when we criticized BMW’s fuel economy gauge. Instead of using needle to show liters per 100km as in BMW, Honda decided to use digital bar to show liters per 100km in the Fit. Its even more annoying than BMW’s flawed design.

There are plenty of head and legrooms at the back of the Fit. Pretty much can fit 2 persons comfortably and 3 in a squeeze.

Conclusion: Although many would rather see a more revolutionary approach to Fit’s redesign but, as many have said, beauty is more than skin deep. With the new Fit, it got an even more impressive powertrain. The new i-VTEC truly improves its fuel economy and give it better low-end torque. It handles like its on rail, while the interior space is unrivalled anywhere in its class especially its competely fold-flat floor. The bottom line? Fit continues to be the standards where others are judged when it comes to building subcompact car.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Honda Fit
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Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Vehicle: 2007 Honda Fit Sport with automatic transmission
Price as tested: CDN$20780

Performance: The North American bound Fit is powered by only one engine. Its 1.5L SOHC VTEC is go for 109 horses and 105 lb/ft of torque. This little mile is really a delightful surprise as it provides plenty of bottom end torque even if its maximium at 4800 rpm. Like other Honda powerplants, its very willing to rev through the rev range. However, the VTEC kick-in aura is definitely not as obvious as in other DOHC VTEC motors. In terms of refinement, once again, it rates very highly. Yes, its still noisy when pushing through the redline since its low displacement 4-banger. But the overall refinement and smoothness are typical Honda quality. Matched with this engine is either a 5-speed stick or 5-speed automatic in our tester. This 5-speed automatic is designed specifically for North American in mind. The gear ratios are excellent for highway cruising with good fuel economy. Both the up and downshifts are excellent in “auto” mode but little reluctant in “S” manumatic mode.

Handling: Honda engineers have recalibrated the suspension geometry in the Fit to suit North American lifestyle. That’s the biggest surprise because our Fit drives better than the JDM Jazz 1300cc I drove last year. Both the suspension and rebound damping have tuned for the better in the Fit. The low-speed ride is much more comfortable while high-speed doesn’t feel floaty at all. That’s despite it doesn’t absorb large bumps as well as Yaris, it absorbs small bumps with ease. The turn-in is sharp and precise, while steering ratio has tuned quicker for sportier handling. Its still light due to its electric power steering nature, however, it overall weight is miles ahead of the Jazz. Both the off and on-center feel are more than acceptable although not plenty for enthuisasts. In terms of body rolls and understeer, they are more than acceptable given Fit’s 14″ wheels.

Brakes: With standard front discs/rear drums and standard ABS, Fit’s pedal feel has to be one of the best in its class. The stops are firm and solid, while ABS doesn’t kick-in until absolutely necessary. The best aspect of Fit is ABS standard regardless of 15k DX or 20k Sport.

Interior: The materials used in Fit are quite impressive considered its an econocar. There are enough classy soft-touched materials to match up with supportive velour seats. Yes, there are remain some hard plastic. But even those hard plastic are of high-quality materials that make it a surprise. The driving position is easily found. Everything from rotary HVAC and stereo are placed ergonomically, with latter placed higher than former. HVAC is extremely efficient in our spring weather. However, the lack of dead pedal in the nearly perfect driving position is a huge drawback.

The most amazing part of Fit has to be its interior layout. You can fold down all the seats flat like a bed. Its completely flat floor with 60/40 split fold-down rear seats is simply astounising. The amount of space is larger than any of those so-called sport UTILITY vehicle.

Conclusion: Fit is definitely a welcome addition to Honda’s product range. It looks good, drives decently and got an excellent powertrain. Here lies the rough: when one loaded up a Fit Sport which costs 20 grand, a Civic sedan with even better feature content and more upmarket appearance would sway some customers from Fit. As for me? I would go for LX for Fit. If I go anywhere higher than a LX, Civic is my ticket.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 HONDA FIT
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 4.25/5