Inside Line drives the JDM 2009 Honda Fit
Click on the photo for a higher-res gallery of the new Honda Fit
We showed you the first official photos of the new upcoming 2009 Honda Fit the other day, and now the first driving impression of the little Honda is online. Inside Line's Japanese correspondent got an early driving impression of the car that will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in a few weeks. The more steeply raked windshieldclearly visible in the photos has had its base moved ahead by 4.7 inches to give a roomier feel to the interior.
The quality of the interior materials has evidently been improved and most of the extra two inches of wheelbase has gone straight into rear seat legroom. The combination of the new iVTEC 1.5L engine and five speed manual apparently gives the runabout brisk performance, but we'll judge for ourselves when it gets stateside. Honda hasn't made any official pronouncements yet, but since the current 2008 model is now available, we probably won't see the new version before next summer. As for engines, we'll probably only get the larger one unless gas prices shoot up some more. In that case, Honda could offer the 1.3L to US drivers. As for equipment, with the US dollar continuing to sink, Honda probably still hasn't made a definitive decision about whether to offer the imported Fit with less content at a lower price or follow the MINI and go for more of a premium small car with the RS version.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Corban 10:45PM (4/09/2008)
I've been reading a lot about the Fit and have been looking everywhere to try and test drive one. Most of the dealerships have them sold before they have a chance to take them off the delivery truck. I live in Southern Utah and have to commute about 80 miles round trip each day and experience about a 3000 foot elevation change. I also regularly take trips up to Idaho and down to Arizona and experience a lot of steep grade roads. I'm somewhat concerned that this car might not have enough power to make these trips if the car is loaded with 2-3 passengers and quite a bit of luggage. Does anyone have any experience driving on interstate passes or other steep grade roads while carrying quite a bit of weight? I've read that the European models which have smaller engines (1.2 liter and 1.3 liter instead of the US 1.5 liter engine) are rated to tow small trailers. Since I haven't had a chance to test drive a fit yet and probably won't get a chance in the extremely near future I wanted to get some feedback from actual Fit owners or people who have test driven them. Also, to get the car to perform well and keep up with traffic do you need to have a lead foot or does the car respond well without having to push it?
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Rajnish 12:04PM (9/18/2008)
Corban,
recently i have purchased the 2009 honda fit. A nice and small car for city and hwy use and good for my Texas driving conditions. But i feel it would be a bit underpowered for your driving conditions. Its torque is rated at only 106 lb-ft that too at very high revs ( i guess its 4600 rpm). You need pleanty of torque for mountain driving specially when the car is a bit loaded. Also Utah gets pretty snowy i guess in the winter. I think the best thing you should be driving for your and your family and friend's safety, is a decently powered 4 wheel drive. I know that they might be a bit expensive to drive but there is nothing as expensive as your life. And trust me if i were to drive in a mountain terrain i would not drive anything other than a 4 wheel drive. It will save your life more than once. I suggest you take a look at used Suabru forester. You can get one used about 40K miles for around 13-15K dollars. That is a neat small SUV with a rugged 4 wheel drive and gets 22 (city)- 28 (hwy) MPG (and these are real numbers). Visit www.cars.com or other web sites for your local listings.
Quattroporte 9:38AM (9/23/2007)
It's already starting to grow up to be a minivan someday.
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Don 10:16PM (9/23/2007)
Ha! I was thinking the same thing!
Still though, it IS the best "small" car in the US.
john riley 10:08AM (9/23/2007)
No spare tire? Run flats? That hasn't worked well so far.
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Barney 11:53AM (9/23/2007)
I'm not flaming you. I tried to find reference to the spare tire after reading your post. I could find nothing regarding the spare. Where did you find any information about the spare tire? That's one aspect rarely discussed.
john riley 1:27PM (9/23/2007)
The lack of a spare tire is mentioned in the Inside Line review. I assumend it was linked here, but I guess not. Here is the quote:
"Honda has also decided to do away with the spare tire, and this brave move increases cargo capacity by 1.5 cubic feet to a total of 14.2 cubic feet."
Calguy 10:46AM (9/23/2007)
Something about the new styling just makes it seem way more refined.
If it has no spare and runflats, that might send me running. After suffering that nuisance (and it's a GIANT one) after living with a MINI, I'd probably not buy it. Runflats are extremely expensive, get flats just as often, aren't stocked commonly -so if you get a flat in the middle of a long drive between metro areas.. you're just screwed till help tows you. NOT fun.
As they choose equipment levels, I hope they consider the movement of people with more posh cars looking to move down market, whilest retaining the treats such as sunroof, heated seats, leather. In Europe smaller cars are still available with way higher levels of good stuff.
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rooster 4:37PM (9/24/2007)
Styling will NEVER be a strong point with this car...fugly.
94 taurus owner 11:57AM (9/23/2007)
nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Blacknimbus 11:29AM (9/23/2007)
Hideous. It looks like an angry, wedge shaped beaver.
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Avinash machado 11:58AM (9/23/2007)
I think the new Ford Fiesta\Verve will be a better choice than the Fit. If Saturn brings the Opel Corsa it also could prove to be a better alternative to the Fit.
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iomatic 12:02PM (9/23/2007)
@Avinash
You base this on...?
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Avinash machado 12:07PM (9/23/2007)
I base this on the reviews I have read in European magazine s about the Fiesta and Corsa.
Snowdog 12:02PM (9/23/2007)
I like it. I would prefer the Euro Civic Hatchback:
http://www.autonet.hr/userdocsimages/Test/Honda%20Civic%202.2%20i-CTDi%20Sport/Honda%20Civic%202.2%20i-CTDi%20Sport%201280x1024.jpg
But so far this looks acceptable. Especially if that big sunroof is available, which should give the car an nice open feeling.
This could be my next car.
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1337 3:35PM (9/23/2007)
AHHH! That's hideous! The American-market Honda Civic is one of few vehicles that is better looking than its European counterpart.
naugahyde 12:25AM (9/24/2007)
Not only is the Euro Civic way better looking than the US Civic, but a lot more useful too. The US Civic's trunk is no bigger than a bento-box - ridiculous. My '89 CRX was more useful than the current coupe.
I use my '03 Civic Si to go on road trips, camping trips and Home Depot runs. What do people use their Civic coupes for - posing at In-and-Out Burger?
far jr 12:06PM (9/23/2007)
Much better looking than the current Fit. That looks like a very pricey car for the US market. If they can keep the looks with the price of the current model, it should sell very well.
Those little triangle shaped windows in the A-pillar sure are goofy looking. I never did like cars with those windows, but I guess it is a structural necessity.
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the law 3:13PM (9/23/2007)
@Avinash
I agree Corsa would be great.Gm will bring the corsa over just a matter of when.Opel's style fits my style more than this bland Jap crap.Just add daring colors: who wants silver, or white?bring electric Blue,blazing Orange,bio-hazard Green,boring Black.
read a review of the color cars people buy.most ppl the buy minis would prefer bright colors to make statement.
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naggs 2:41PM (9/23/2007)
118 hp,
nice
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