2007 Honda Fit

If Honda has done anything through the years they have proven to be a highly competitive automotive manufacturer that always keeps their finger on the pulse of their market. Add to that the consistent ability to produce a high quality, reliable product with a reasonable price tag and it's no surprise how Honda has become a household name! Available in the U.S. in April of 2007, The Fit is yet another offspring from "Mother Honda" that their banking will attach itself to the youth market much better than the rather disappointing Element. In addition, with the recent upsurge of prices at the pump (and they seem comfortable staying there), good gas mileage has gone from a decent benefit to a necessity for a good number of car owners.

The first thing you'll notice when checking out the Fit for the first time is its size (or lack thereof). It's classified as a subcompact (with an engine to match) and will be available as a 4-door hatchback only upon release. When compared to the 2007 Civic Sedan, the Fit is 19-inches shorter in length and has a 10-inch shorter wheelbase making it the smallest car currently produced by Honda. The Fit is definitely not going to rough you up and take your lunch money, but maybe things have changed a bit in the schoolyard. Suzuki and Hunyadi aren't the only manufacturers producing successful subcompacts these days. The popular Scion xA and more recent Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa are also taking the automotive market by storm. Good timing too with the turmoil going on at the pump. Anyone else not see an end in sight? Seems like the current day bullies are not only getting smaller, they're getting smarter!

Honda has wisely decided to produce the Fit in two different trim levels, the Fit (base model) and the Fit Sport. The base model definitely looks the way you would expect a base model to look, simple, plain, and kind of boring. It also lacks many of the "creature comforts" that car owners have grown accustomed to. For only $1300 more (at starting MSRP) the Fit Sport includes a very nice collection of extras both inside and out. The underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, and upgraded alloy wheels make a profound improvement on the exterior styling while the interior boasts a 200 watt MP3 friendly audio system, full power options, cruise, and a remote entry security system. Not too shabby for an extra few bucks a month! Both trim levels are available with 5-speed manual or automatic transmissions, and come standard with a 1.5 liter, 109-hp, 16-valve VTEC®, 4-cylinder engine.

With such small stature on the outside you would expect the interior of the Fit to feel exactly the way it looks. Surprisingly enough, the interior is spacious enough to transport four average sized adults in relative comfort with storage room to spare. This is due in part to the tall roof design for exceptional headroom (exceeds the Civic), and the additional foot room provided by the Fit's outside corner wheel placement. Up front, the gauges are in plain view and easy to read, and all accessory controls are easily within arms reach. The seats are designed to be comfortable and supportive. They can recline flat if needed, and also feature a lever on the seat backrest that allows the seat to slide forward, helping occupants enter the back seats and/or fold down the rear seats more easily.

The back seating area is truly impressive for the Fit's small exterior dimensions. It is accommodating and roomy for "average" size adults and even provides passengers with a small under-seat storage space for their personal items. Honda also moved the traditionally rear located gas tank to the middle of the vehicle allowing for additional foot room. With the rear seats in their normal upright position, there is a good deal of cargo space available. However with Honda's new "Magic Seat®" design, the rear passenger area can be opened up into 4 different cargo transporting configurations simply by folding the seats one way or another. A flat station wagon-like floor can be created allowing for an amazing 41+ cubic feet of cargo space, and the backseat cushions can be folded up for 50-inches of vertical room! This intelligent, innovative design provides outstanding consumer flexibility and is a big plus in a small package.

As typical with most subcompacts you wouldn't expect a massive power plant in the Fit's engine bay, and you would be correct. Honda's 4-cylinder, 1.5 liter, 16-valve VTEC® engine produces 109 horsepower at 5800rpm, and 105lb.-ft. of torque at 4800rpm with a 6500rpm redline. Both trim levels are available with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately with such a small gerbil in the wheel, the Fit will become excessively sluggish with larger or additional passengers and/or cargo in tow. You definitely won't be breaking any land speed records; however the 33/38 MPG (5-speed manual) is a welcome trade-off for most in the subcompact market. One big advantage to the Fit's small size is its light weight. With a curb weight of less than 2500 pounds the modest power production is not nearly as noticeable.

All things considered, the Honda Fit is perfect "fit" for consumers looking for an affordable, fun, reliable car to get them "from A to B", and the stops in between. It's intelligent, conservative minded approach is plainly apparent in its construction, design, and agreeable personality. At a time where the dinosaurs rule of the roads is gradually coming to an end, the Fit is Honda's reaction to the trend that, similar to gas prices, is not going anywhere but up!

The Kid's Big Pro: Amazingly spacious & stylish! (sport model)
The Kid's Big Con: It can't get out of its own way!

TRIM LEVELS W/ SPECS "In Short"