It’s no secret Fit is Honda’s smallest car. For 2009 the carmaker has lengthened the wheelbase by two inches and the overall length by four. The now slightly longer wheelbase has improved both the ride and the handling.Under the hood purrs a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with eight more horsepower than last year. That boost in hp pays big dividends in acceleration. Honda Fit is fast enough to make most drivers happy. More specifically, its zero to 60 mph elapsed time is about ten seconds. No big surprise, fuel economy is very good and Fit burns regular-grade gas.
A five-speed manual transmission is standard with a five-speed automatic transmission optional. During test drives I’ve noticed performance is markedly livelier with the manual transmission. Atypically the automatic gets one or two mpg better than the stick. Fit is available in two different trim levels, Base and Sport. Sport models equipped with the automatic transmission feature steering-wheel shift paddles plus a Sport mode that keeps the transmission in a lower gear for crisper throttle response.
Honda Fit Sport models also have aerodynamic body add-ons, upgraded trim and low profile 16-inch alloy wheels, where the base model features 15-inch steel wheels. For the record, last year’s tires and wheels were 14s. Sport models, with jazzed-up suspension tuning, are particularly nimble handlers. The ride is more comfortable than you‘d expect from a small car.
Compared to last year’s model Fit’s interior feels roomier than the slightly longer wheelbase would account for. I did some checking. The windshield base was moved forward by nearly five inches and the front quarter windows are three times larger than before. The visual effect is an airy feel. More good news, the reshaped front seats are noticeably more comfortable. And the steering wheel now tilts and telescopes. The gas pedal now moves fore and aft instead of up and down, a more comfortable movement.
Slide behind the wheel and one of the first things you notice is the absence of a center console, and therefore, there is no center armrest. Though Sport models have seat-mounted fold-down arm rests. Even though there’s no height adjustment for the seats, the seats are mounted high enough to provide good all around visibility. Headroom is good, but legroom seems a little tight for tall drivers. One harsh criticism, the sun visors are useless when rotated out to the sides. I noticed how the headrests are recessed into the seatbacks so how they don’t need to be removed to fold the seats down.
Honda claims Fit seats five passengers It‘s true to its word. For such a small vehicle, headroom and legroom are generous, even when the front seats scooted all the way back. The good news gets even better. The rear seat cushions tip up creating a tall, across-the-width-of-the-car cargo slot. Also, rear seatbacks make room for long items. Other amenities include 10 cup holders which double as storage bins plus several smaller cubbies, a glove box, an under-seat tray and map pockets.
Take note that the 2009 Fit incorporates Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. Translation: a load-bearing frame structure that disperse frontal crash energy and matches the Fit bumper heights with other vehicles. Active front head restraints are also new this year. Other standard safety equipment includes dual-stage, dual threshold front air bags; torso-protecting front side air bags; head-protecting curtain side air bags; tire-pressure monitor; and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. Traction control and electronic stability control are optional.
The base model Fit comes standard with air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), auxiliary audio input jack, power windows, power mirrors and power door locks.
Spending a little more money for the Sport adds cruise control, remote keyless entry and fog lights. While Sport with the navigation package adds traction control, an antiskid system and daytime running lights. The Fit Sport audio system boasts six speakers, a five-mode equalizer and a USB Audio Interface.
New for 2009, the Fit can be equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition displaying information and more than 7 million points of interest on a 6.5-inch screen . Models equipped with the navigation system also include Vehicle Stability Assist, also known as electronic stability control.
Finally, the bumper to bumper warranty term runs for three years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain term runs for five years or 60,000 miles. The body panels are protected for five years with no mileage limitation.
Wheelbase 98.4”
Engine 1.5L I-4
HP 117 @ 6600
Transmission
Mileage 27/33 mpg
Fuel 10.6 gallons
Curb weight 2489 pounds
Base Price $14,450
As tested $16,910
