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The Honda Fit outsold the Toyota Corolla in Japan in 2006 to take the coveted "Best-Selling Car" title.
What’s New about 2008 - 2009 Honda Fit?
- Introduction of a Road Sailing (RS) version in the Fit lineup which highlights a sportier and sophisticated character.
- Overall length, width and wheelbase have been increased.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System is provided.
- An emergency tire repair kit is provided instead of a spare tire.
- The front quarter windows are three times of the size of those in the previous model, and the width of the front pillar has been reduced by 20 mm to provide enhanced visibility.
- The rear seats are 20 mm wider, 15 mm deeper, and have cushions 10 mm thicker for enhanced ride comfort in comparison to previous model.
- The new Fit comes with either of two new engines: a 1.3 liter i-VTEC or a 1.5 liter i-VTEC.
- Fit’s practicality has also been enhanced with four-mode “Ultra Seat” and three-mode “Ultra Luggage” storage spaces.
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Let’s take a look at what auto experts have written on different websites about the 2008 - 2009 Honda Fit:
Source: howstuffworks.com
HIGHS
- Fuel economy
“In Consumer Guide testing, an extended-use test manual transmission Sport averaged 31.9 mpg over its 9023-mile evaluation. Another manual-transmission Sport averaged 35.6 mpg with slightly less highway driving. Automatic-transmission Sports averaged 28.7 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving, 38.4 in a test that included mostly highway use.”
- Ride/handling
“Not harsh over bumps but tires do thump on potholes and sharp ridges.”
“Agile, fun even, in low-to-moderate-speed driving. Body lean increases with cornering speed. Tight, fast turns trigger noseplow. Stable at 70 mph, but Fit can wander in gusty crosswinds and on grooved pavement.”
- Instruments/controls
“Well-organized dashboard puts simple, smartly designed controls close at hand.”
- Build quality
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LOWS
- Low-speed acceleration
“Adequate around town, but Fit's engine is slow to gather speed, so highway on-ramps and most passing maneuvers demand judgement and often foot-to-the-floor throttle application. Fit feels notably lazier with the automatic: a Sport took a lengthy 11.4 sec 0-60 mph in our test.”
- Quietness
“The engine is loud at full throttle and maintains its presence at cruising speeds. It's slightly less prominent with manual transmission. Wind noise is not intrusive. Tire thrum is a constant on most surfaces.”
VERDICT
“Though pricier than class rivals, Fit offers an enviable blend of fuel economy, space efficiency, and driving pleasure. Cabin materials fall short of what we've come to expect from Honda, but this frugal subcompact still earns our Recommended honor.”
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Video Review: Honda Fit at tokyo auto show
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Source: cars.com
HIGHS
- Fuel economy
“The Fit is Honda's smallest, least expensive car. Mileage as high as 28 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway (with a manual transmission) should keep ownership costs down as well.”
- Standard side-impact and side curtain airbags
“The Fit has six standard airbags: dual front airbags, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. It also has antilock brakes. Updates for 2008 include a standard tire pressure monitoring system.”
- Configurable second-row seat
“The Fit takes cues from its big brother Element, with seats that fold flat or flip up to maximize cargo space and accommodate odd-shaped objects. Honda claims 90.1 cubic feet of interior space, and 21.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats when the seatbacks are up — ample room for a couple of suitcases.”
- Available auxiliary input for portable music players “Up front, the Fit offers a dealer-installed adapter that will allow drivers to hook their Apple iPods into the four-speaker audio system (six in the uplevel Fit Sport). Also available on the Sport model are wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the automatic transmission — a feature not found elsewhere in the entry-level segment.”
LOWS
- Front-heavy weight distribution
- Small, 14-inch wheels standard
“The Fit has four doors plus the hatch, and the base model rides on 14-inch wheels. There are 15-inchers on Sport models, and 16-inch wheels are available as a dealer-installed option on either version.”
- Only offered in hatchback form
| 2007 Honda Fit | 2008 Honda Fit | |
| MSRP | $13,850 - $15,170 | $13,950 - $15,270 |
| Fuel Economy City | 31 - 33 mpg | 27 - 28 mpg |
| Fuel Economy Highway | 37 - 38 mpg | 33 - 34 mpg |
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Source: caranddriver.com
HIGHS
- The second-generation Fit is bigger and cushier.
“The new five-door Fit is 2.2 inches longer than its predecessor, including a 2.0-inch increase in wheelbase. The width expands by less than an inch, and the track has been widened. For a car that has sold itself on its claim of feeling big for its class, this creates scope to do more of the same—Honda claims interior capacity similar to its midsize sedans.”
- More Glass, Better Visibility
“To make it look and feel even larger, the new Fit has a panoramic glass “Sky Roof” and the front-quarter windows are three times the size of the outgoing model. The A-pillar, which has been moved forward, also is narrower for better visibility.”
- Extra Padding Comes Standard
“A rotating passenger seat is an available option, with a contoured seat cushion and oversized bearings for smooth rotation. The standard front seat in the Fit uses a mid-size sedan frame with extra springs and padding. Honda says the rear seats are wider, deeper, and thicker, as well. The steering column tilts and telescopes.”
LOWS
“Power in tight supply; some visibility issues; try on for size, as it doesn’t ‘fit’ everyone.”
VERDICT
“.. the Fit is our favorite small car because of its shapely body, first class build quality, and agile driving dynamics.”
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