2009 Honda Fit Review | Buyer Guide
Fit For Fun
If you liked the last Honda Fit, you’re going to love the new 2009 model. The ’09 is roomier, sharper looking and just as much fun to drive.
The first thing you notice about the new Fit is its more aggressive styling. The larger windshield, which is steeply raked, emphasizes the wedge shape of the car. A restyled hood, with sharp creases in the sheet metal, adds character. And oversized headlights provide a feisty look. My bright red test car turned heads everywhere I went.
Honda also improved the interior. They redesigned the seats to provide more comfort. They also made the steering wheel telescope, as well as tilt. The reconfigured dash is still an eclectic mix of shapes, but controls are well placed, and easy to reach. However, what I noticed the most, when I was behind the wheel, was the commanding view out the windshield.
The 2009 Fit is roomier. Passengers in the rear benefit the most with better legroom, thanks to a wheelbase that is nearly two longer now. There is also more elbowroom there as well. And storage space is up more than 15 cu-ft (now 57.3 cu-ft) with the rear seats folded down.
As before, the Fit abounds with clever storage features. Flip a lever, and the rear seats fall forward, creating a flat loading floor. Then fold the front passenger seat down and you can haul a ladder or a surfboard. If you have a tall box or plant that won’t fit in back, you can raise a rear seat cushion, and slide it in through a side door. Additionally, the Fit comes with numerous small bins, including two glove boxes.
However, the Fit is not only versatile, it’s fun to drive. My test car reminded me of an early Honda Civic—not a lot of frills, but very entertaining. Honda powers this car with a spunky 1.5-liter, four-banger that now cranks out 117 horsepower. This engine will rev willingly to 6500-rpm, but it doesn’t have a lot of pulling power below 3000 rpm. You need to keep the revs up to get strong performance.
Teamed with the four-cylinder is a choice of the standard five-speed manual or the optional five-speed automatic. My test car had the latter. This gearbox shifted smoothly, and downshifted quickly, when I needed more power. If you opt for an upgraded model, you get paddle shifters, which are a delight to use. Furthermore, as a bonus, the automatic delivers impressive fuel economy—28-35 mpg.
The Fit comes in three versions, base Fit, Sport and Sport Navi. The Sport and Sport Navi get a firmer suspension, which provides sharper handling. My test car loved twisty roads. This car is light (2489 lbs.) and nimble. The steering is quick, so it only takes a flick of the wheel to change direction. Once in a turn, the Fit grips the road tenaciously, and without significant body-lean. But if you are looking for a smooth ride, this Fit will disappoint you. It telegraphs every bump in the road.
Pricing for the Fit starts at $15,220 for the base model, which comes with air conditioning, AM/FM/CD, power windows, mirrors and locks. The Sport begins at $16,730, and adds goodies like, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a roofline spoiler and cruise control. The top-of-the-line Sport Navi ($18,850) comes with all of the above, plus a navigation system and electronic stability control.
Snapshot Review
Sporty Styling
Versatile Interior
Fun to Drive
Good Gas Mileage
