“Never judge a book by its cover” as the old saying goes. May I apply this to the refreshed 2015 Honda Fit? This highly acclaimed sub-compact can carry more “stuff” than you might expect all the while delivering performance and comfort in a most satisfying manner.
The Fit was introduced in 2009 and quickly became a favourite of many automotive journalists. Some changes were made to the 2011 model which I tested one summer also coming away impressed. Now Honda has revamped the car again so that inside and out it looks feels and drives even better.
The 1.5 litre, four-cylinder engine puts out 130 horsepower and 114 lb ft. of torque. Not a lot just by reading those numbers, but the light weight of the car results in very peppy performance. The engine is also very quiet even when running at legal or not so legal speeds on the highway. Throttle response is clean when you pull away and carries on that way through the mid-range. Absolutely smooth and refined, just the way I would expect a Honda engine to perform. Fuel consumption is great; 7.9L/100km around town and 5.9L/100km on the open road. My highway fuel rating was recorded on a trip to Calgary and back where I average 120 km/ph. Yes, I was a little over the limit. But then who isn’t on the QEII?
The four-cylinder can be linked with six-speed manual or continuously variable (CVT) transmission. I prefer a manual transmission in a car this small, but unlike most CVTs Honda’s version in the Fit does not force engine rpms to the top of the rev range until high speed. The driver can also use one of seven predetermined ratios through shift paddles.
Honda has tweaked the exterior of the Fit so it has a smoother, more eye pleasing design but some of the redesign has helped reduce wind noise, which in turn reduces interior noise. Getting back to speeds around town, this peaceful environment carries on with no engine buzz or road noise. Clearly engineers have done a good job in the use of sound deadening and eliminating noise, vibration and harshness through other methods.
Adding to the driving pleasure is the ride and handling which puts a smile on my face no matter what the speed limit. The suspension design is basic with front struts and a rear twist beam. Nothing remarkable but a very comfortable ride and agile handling. Push this little car through the curves and you’ll experience minimal body roll. My test EX-L Navi had the larger P185/55R16 all-season tires which I’m sure brought better feel and feedback from the electric power steering.
What’s most important about the Honda Fit is its execution inside. Thankfully the two-tiered instrument cluster which annoys me so much in the Honda Civic, does not reside in the Fit. Instead you get a large speedometer right in the middle of the cluster. A tach gauge on the left and other readouts on the right. Materials are Honda quality, meaning first class. There are large knobs for the HVAC and well thought out instruments. There are touch points for such things as audio volume. I would have preferred knobs, but Honda like many other automakers want do whatever they can to look high-tech.
An interesting piece of technology for the driver is Honda’s LaneWatch. When you operate the right turn signal this activates a camera in the right side mirror. The result is a clear view of everything that’s in the driver’s blind spot and displays it in the central screen. Very cool and perhaps a smart way to do away with shoulder checking?
The Fit for me, offered good seating comfort, a somewhat roomy back seat for children. A child booster seat will fit nicely back there too. Cargo capacity behind the rearmost seat not that great from the perspective of a family with small children, but then this really isn’t that type of transportation. But hold on, the fold-down-flat 60/40 rear seat opens up a lot of cargo room helped by a long and high roof. You can carry more in the back with the rear seat down than you might imagine. I’m also told the Fit has more cargo volume than a Civic sedan with the rear seat in the up position. In addition the Fit offers more hip room for front seat passengers than the Civic. Passenger volume is also slightly greater in the Fit. It can even carry more than some small SUVs.
The Fit starts at $14,495 while my top-of-the-line EX-L Navi was priced at $22,595 before GST. The EX-L carries a lot of features. My test car had no options.
Garry Melnyk is a St. Albert resident and lifelong car buff who has written about new cars and trucks for radio and print publications since the seventies.
