When Honda launched the Fit (also known as the Jazz in international markets) as a 2007 model here in the US, it proved to be one of the better small hatchbacks on the market. The Fit provided good performance, better than average build quality, and remarkable versatility for having such small exterior dimensions. Fast forward just two short model years and Honda has completely redesigned the Fit: marking the '09 models as the Fit's second generation. For 2009 the Fit is larger, it's more powerful, and promises to offer even better versatility- but has Honda made the Fit good enough to compete in the growing market of small hatchbacks?

Styling: 7/10

Though the Fit boasts all new sheetmetal for 2009 it looks decidedly similar to the outgoing models. From a profile perspective the Fit retains a nearly identical wedge shape as the last year, however Honda has tossed in some modest rear fender flares, sharper profile lines, and a larger side window under the A-pillar to help segregate the two generations. The Fit's rear-end also looks largely similar to last year, with the exception of reworked tail light treatment and a swatch of black trim underneath the rear hatch window. The most notable change in the Fit's sheetmetal can be found up front. The Fit gets a more aggressive front fascia this year with a honeycomb mesh grille, a more bulbous hood, and new headlights that no longer have the body-color bezel. The Sport model (as tested) gets upgraded with larger 16" alloy wheels, a nicely integrated body kit, fog lamps, and a rear wing that helps add some visual flare that is missing on the base trim. Overall, the new Fit is more aesthetically pleasing than the outgoing models, but I would have liked to have seen Honda make a more bold design change: or if nothing else at least ditch the Fit's dated flip-up style door handles in favor of more modern pull-out type door handles.

Under the hood:

 Both the Base and the Sport trim get Honda's new 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder motor that generates 117 horsepower this year (8 more horsepower than last year) and 106 ft -lbs. of torque. Transmission options remain the same for '09. The Base Fit comes with a standard 5-speed manual gearbox or it can be optioned with a 5-speed automatic for $800. The Fit Sport gets the same standard 5-speed manual gearbox as the base model, however its optional automatic ($850) comes with paddle shifters, which allow the driver to manual up-shift or down-shift through the gears by simply pressing a lever on the steering wheel. While I haven't driven the Fit Sport equipped with its optional automatic transmission, it's refreshing to see Honda give a vehicle in this class paddle shifters: an option was once only reserved for cars costing twice as much as the Fit.

Performance: Fit Sport 5-speed manual:

Acceleration: 9/10

Though the Fit's new motor makes 8 more horsepower this year, it curiously doesn't feel noticeably more powerful than the outgoing models. This isn't such a bad thing though, because as it stood the Fit already offered good acceleration. While the Fit's engine makes a mere 117 horsepower that is asked to move nearly 2,500 pounds of mass, the Fit doesn't feel nearly as sluggish as its power-to-weight ratio would normally suggest. Stab the Fit's throttle and this small hatchback moves eagerly from stoplight to stoplight and has no problems accelerating up on-ramps into fast paced freeway traffic: the same can't be said about some of the Fit's competitors, i.e. the 2009 Chevy Aveo5 or the Kia Rio. Though the Fit's 1.5-litter i-VTEC engine is a typical high-revving Japanese motor, this engine is geared such that it's not necessary to keep revs in the stratosphere just to keep this engine from lugging. For example, under normal acceleration you can easily up-shift the Fit's manual gearbox at 3,000 RPM in 1st-4th gears without its engine bogging down in the succeeding gear. Overall, the Fit (when equipped with its 5-speed manual) offers entirely adequate acceleration that should satisfy most consumers looking for a car in this segment. Speed freaks, however, will be sorely disappointed with the Fit's somewhat pretentious "sport" designation.

Engine refinement: 8/10

Regardless of size, Honda knows how to make a refined engine: the 2009 Fit's tiny 4-cylinder is no exception. At idle the Fit's motor is vibration-free and under normal acceleration engine noise is on par with cars equipped with larger motors, i.e. the Scion xD and Honda's own more substantial Civic. The only time the Fit's small engine makes its miniscule size known is when the throttle is pushed to the floor. Typical of a small Japanese engine, the Fit's i-VTEC 4-cylinder emits a high-pitched engine note as revs approach redline and though the sound of this motor does get harsh when pushed near its 6,800 RPM redline, it's nowhere near as harsh as those powerplants found in the Fit's main competitors, i.e. the Chevy Aveo, Kia Rio, or Toyota's Yaris.
Transmission: 10/10

While most 5-speed equipped cars in this class are plagued with long throw shifters, rubbery shift linkages, and thoughtless gear ratios, the Honda Fit provides a refreshingly excellent manual gearbox with none of the shortcomings found in many of its competitors. The Fit's manual gearbox is precise, the shifter provides reasonably short throws, and it offers excellent gearing for squeezing out as much performance as possible from the Fit's tiny engine. I especially appreciate how easy this manual gearbox is to use. The Fit's 5-speed manual provides a perfectly weighted clutch, smooth gear engagement, and as mentioned short enough throws making this an easy and enjoyable gearbox to operate.

Handling: 9/10

Though the Honda Fit outwardly looks more like a clumsy minivan than a vehicle that should ever bare a "sport" designation, it's surprisingly agile. Toss the Fit through the twisties and it feels incredibly nimble for a vehicle in this class, exhibiting only modest levels of body roll and understeer. While the Fit retains a rather dated rear torsion beam suspension, it feels stable when cornering at high speeds: even while driving on twisty roads that are riddled with road imperfections. Steering feedback also ranks better than average for a vehicle in this class, lacking the highly artificial steering feel of many of its electric assist competitors, i.e. the Scion xD. The Fit Sport gets larger 16" wheels this year (15" wheels come on the base trim) and while the Fit Sport's wheels are wrapped in relatively skinny 195/55 all season rubber, they do a good job keeping traction with only noticeable tire squeal when they are extremely provoked. The  Fit also stops just as well as it goes. Though you won't find 4-wheel disc brakes on the new Fit (nor will you find them on the Fit's competitors), the Fit's front disc rear drum set-up (ABS is standard on all trim levels) does a great job stopping this vehicle from high speeds without the fade that sometimes accompanies cars that are equipped with cheapy rear drum brakes.

While the Fit's firm suspension undoubtedly helps in the handling department, it unfortunately doesn't do this car any favors while driving over poor road surfaces. Though the Fit never gets tossed off course when driving over rough roads, vibration from road imperfections is easily transmitted into the cabin: even small bumps can be an issue and larger potholes in the road can be downright jarring.  Cars like the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris do a superior job absorbing road imperfections, but then again neither of these two cars feel as solid on the tiwsties as the 2009 Fit.

On the highway: 8/10

Despite having one of the smallest engines in its class (normally a recipe for a buzzy engine note at highway speeds), the Fit is one of the queasiest of the sub 17K subcompact hatchbacks that are currently on the market. Though the Fit's engine revs at relatively racy 3,100 RPM at 65 MPH, engine noise is kept devoid from the Fit's cabin, making it possible to carry on a conversation at highway speeds without having to raise the decibel of your voice. Wind and road noise is also kept in check, even at 70 MPH the Fit exhibits no more wind or road noise than cars a class or two higher up on the totem pole, i.e. Honda's own Civic or the Toyota's Matrix.

Though the Fit could probably benefit from a taller 5th gear ratio for increased fuel economy and an even quieter ride on the highway, there are some benefits of having a relatively low 5th gear. The most notable benefit for the Fit is that is always seems to be in a good power band for climbing steep hills or passing big semi trucks; there is usually no need to downshift into 4th gear. Simply stabbing the Fit's throttle on steep inclines is usually enough to get the fit over most steep grades without losing speed. In the event that a downshift is required, the Fit's gear ratios are relatively close, so downshifting into 4th gear at, say, 65-MPH allows the fit to tap into more of its poweband without the engine sounding overworked. Would I recommend the Fit for those who travel frequently over mountainous terrain? More so than the Yaris, the Accent/Rio, and the Chevy Aveo, however the Scion xD and the Versa hatcback both seem more willing to climb those steep 6% + grades.

Fuel Economy:

Though The Fit has one of the smallest engines it its class, it doesn't receive outlandish EPA fuel estimates. According to the EPA, the Fit should receive 27-MPG in the city and 33-MPG on the highway with either the 5-speed manual or the 5-speed automatic (about the same mileage as the Chevy Aveo, Nissan Versa, Scion XD, and Toyota Matrix). According to the Fit's fuel economy gauge, however, I never got below 36-MPG while driving on the highway (Honda claims that this gauge represents real-time fuel economy). While I'm mildly impressed with the Fit's EPA numbers and more impressed with observed MPG, I'm disappointed that Honda didn't give the Fit a larger fuel tank. The Fit's small 10.6-gallon fuel tank would be fine in a vehicle that got between 45-50 MPG, but such a small tank in a non-hybrid or non-TDI vehicle that gets a mere 33 MPG highway is unacceptable.

Interior:

Style/Ergonomics: 8/10

Though the Fit's exterior design is almost indistinguishable from its predecessors, the interior receives a much more dramatic restyle. Step inside the '09 Fit and there is virtually no resemblance to last year's much more utilitarian cabin. For the most part Honda has done a good job with the styling of the Fit's new cabin. The Fit's interior is kept functional, but Honda has spiced things up a little this year by giving the Fit the Civic's stylish leather wrapped steering wheel, more chrome accents. and a curvaceous shape to the dash with easy on the eyes blue-lit instrumentation. While I'm usually not an advocate of silver or metal accents, the Fit's metal accents aren't the blinding shiny chrome type found in some of its competitors, i.e. the Scion xD. Typical of most Honda vehicles, the Fit's cabin is designed such that all the gadgetry is in easy to reach from the driver's seat and the gauges are well laid out and easy to read. Last year one of the biggest gripes I had with regards to the Fit's interior was the location of the HVAC controls: they were simply placed too low on the center stack. This year Honda has moved the HVAC controls up beside the stereo for much easier access. Curiously, however, Honda still utilizes a dated slide-bar lever to adjust the circulation of air into the cabin. I disliked this type of adjustment in the 20th century and I still do: a simple button would have been much better for adjusting air circulation.

Quality: 6/10

The Fit's interior is stylish, but like so many cars in this class the Fit is plagued with hard interior plastics and low grade fabrics. The Fit's dash and door paneling, for example, are made of hard-touch plastic materials that feel more akin to what Chevy uses in its cheap Aveo: far from the good interior quality we usually get form Honda. I am happy to report, however that nothing in the cabin rattles over rough pavement- with the exception of the glove box. This has been a problem in a number of Honda's (including my own Civic): surely it can't be that hard making a glove box that doesn't rattle.

The fabrics used in the Fit this year also feel lower grade than the previous generation. Honda has used some of the thinnest fabrics for its door paneling that I have seen from Honda since its 1984 CRX HF. While the cloth used for the Fit's seats is acceptable for a car in this class, the cloth seating surfaces lack the quality and softer valuer type material found in last year's model.

Seats: 6/10:

It's almost impossible finding a good set of front bucket seats in this class, so I wasn't at all surprised when the Fit's seats failed to impress with either quality or comfort. The Fit's front bucket seats, and rear bench seats for that matter, seem to have been downgraded for 2009 with even cheaper cloth and less cushioning than the outgoing models. The front buckets do, although, provide pretty good support: I still would have liked to have seen Honda provide more pronounced lower seat bolsters for increased thigh support. But as it stands the Fit's seats offer adequate upper and lower body support to keep front occupants from getting tossed around while driving aggressively on twisty roads.

Though the Fit's front seats only offer 4-way manual seat adjustments and curiously no height adjustments (shouldn't a car costing 17K have height adjustable seating?), finding a good driving position isn't terribly difficult. Thanks, in part, to the Fit's steering wheel (taken from the Honda Civic) which tilts and telescopes toward/away from the driver, finding a good driving position is easier than most vehicles boasting more seat adjustments.

Standard equipment: 8/10

One thing I like about the Honda brand is that they don't just toss out bare-bone vehicles anymore. Once upon a time (the ‘80s), you could get a Civic DX so stripped that even a passenger rearview mirror was optional. Times have changed and so has the Honda brand. That said, even the Base Fit comes with all the basic amenities, i.e. power windows/locks, a CD player with MP3 capabilities, USB port, AC with air filtration, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, fuel economy gauge, 10 cup holders, and safety features like ABS brakes, 3 rear head restrains, and front/side/curtain air bags. If you are an amenity junky then the "Sport" trim is what you want. By opting for the Sport trim, the Fit gets upgraded with more convenience features like cruise control, an upgraded leather wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, and a more powerful 160-watt sound system that should provide enough oomph for most consumers who aren't looking for ear-busting bass. The Sport model can also be optioned with a navigation system, however at a whopping $1,850 this is not exactly a cheap add-on. The Navi option also includes a completely unrelated feature: vehicle stability control.


People Room: 8/10

Honda tends to make each succeeding generation of an automobile larger than its predecessor: the 2009 Fit is no exception. The new Fit has grown 4.2" in length and is about half an inch wider this year (height remains the same at a minivanish 60"). At 5'6" the Fit provided me with a surplus of head, shoulder, and leg room up front and even my passenger who was over 6' also had no issues with front interior space. The rear of the Fit is also quite roomy for this class, with the exception of elbowroom. While the Fit is be perfectly capable of hauling around 2 average sized adults in the rear, I could not imagine a 3rd adult sitting in the back seat, at least not comfortably.

Storage: 10/10

The Fit may be a small subcompact hatch, but it boasts the storage capacity of a vehicle one-two EPA classes larger. Inside the Fit's cabin you'll find plenty of storage compartments, i.e. two good-sized glove boxes, 10 cup holders, rear seat-back storage, and a few nooks and crannies in the doors for smaller items. With the rear seats in their upright position, the Fit provides good storage, but like most cars in this class you won't be able to haul around your full size chest of drawers. There is more to this storage story, however. Honda utilizes what it refers to as a "magic seat" which allows the rear 60/40 split bench seat to easily fold up or down in a number of configurations: with no need to remove the rear head restraints. With the rear seat folded flat the Fit provides nearly 60 cu. ft. of storage (almost 10 more cu. ft. of storage than the larger Toyota Matrix). The rear seats also flip up from the floor, allowing for an interesting storage area between the back of the front seats and front of the rear seats. I imagine this type of "magic seat" type configuration will be utilized in many future vehicles, as it's brilliant.

Price/Warranty:

The Fit starts out just south of $15,000 for the base model equipped with its standard 5-speed manual gear box and $16,260 for the Sport trim: about $1,000 more than a comparably equipped Nissan Versa, but about the same price as a comparably equipped Scion xD. The Fit Sport I drove, with no optional equipment, came to came to just under $17,000. While this may sound like a lot of money for a small economical hatchback, the Fit's high levels of standard equipment and amazing versatility help justify its relatively high sticker price. Honda's Warranty continues to be below average, however. Unlike the Korean built Chevy Aveo or Hyundai's line of vehicles that offer a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, the Honda Fit comes with a measly 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Final verdict: 8/10

Though the Fit has many shortcomings, i.e. a cheaply constructed interior, a relatively high MSRP, and a stingy warranty: it still ranks as one of the better vehicles in this segment. The Fit is fun to drive with great handling manners & peppy acceleration, it provides excellent gas mileage, and this little subcompact can be optioned with luxury equipment that was once only reserved for cars costing twice as much as the Fit. The 2009 Fit also provides class leading storage space and a nifty rear seat design that simply can't be had in its competitors. My recommendation? If you are on a budget, but need a new vehicle with a lot of cargo room, you would be doing yourself an injustice by not checking out the new Fit.

Thanks for reading!
Amount Paid (US$): 17,000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2009
Model and Options: Sport 5-speed manual