2015 Honda Fit - TestDriveNow.com Video Review

2015 Honda Fit Video Review

The originator of the super-subcompact has even more cleverness up its sleeve. The all-new 2015 Honda Fit not only uses its generous space more efficiently but it also drinks considerably less gas.

Seeing as how this is now its 3^rd generation, it surprised me this week by how many people are unfamiliar with the Fit’s amazing combination of frugality and utility. If all you see here is just another small car than you’d better take a closer look. Edgier styling, even more interior space despite a decrease in overall length, considerably better mileage and a higher quality cabin build highlight the changes for 2015. Mix in a palette of 8 youthful colors, like this retina-searing Mystic Yellow Pearl and give it lots of goodies like Lane Watch, heated seats and navigation and what you’ve got here is an unbeatable way to spend $21,590 on a new car. You can get a Fit LX with a stick shift for as little as $16,315 but this top trim EX-L with Navi gives you everything you want at a very reasonable price.

Honda adds a whopping 4.8” to rear seat legroom and nearly 5 cubic feet of passenger volume while shortening the Fit by over 1 ½” – sacrificing an equal amount of cargo room to give back to the people. For most Fit owners, especially moms with young kids, this space tradeoff likely makes good sense. Shoulder room is increased, too so it happily seats 5 and does so without arm, head and leg contorting. And it only takes one sitting in the rear seat to convince those unfamiliar with the Fit that smart trumps small here. Honda’s so called Magic Seat splitfolds easily to transition to a cargo carrying environment with a low load height and wide opening. And those lunch break naps just got a whole lot more comfortable with a cot-like passenger seat. My daughter pointed out a couple of back seat demerits; 1) the lack of real cupholders and 2) the absence of a center arm rest.

Up front the breadth of amenities and premium build are noteworthy. This EX-L trim provides a sunroof, push button start, voice recognition, various gadget connection points and quality leather trim. It’s a simple car to get into and use immediately without fussing. Though not particularly far reaching, the HondaLink infotainment unit is laid out in a straightforward touchscreen manner and offers Pandora internet radio and HD radio. I’m not a fan of the sliding volume control but the steering wheel has redundant switches anyway. Lane Watch is definitely an unexpected feature in this segment and keeps your right blind spot in view.

In the urban environment, the Fit has always had an enjoyable spunkiness to its drive but with significant changes to its suspension it now feels more connected and refined, no matter the road. And the old 5-speed auto is gone, replaced by a CVT with paddle shifters which boosts fuel economy without getting in the way of your fun.

Under the hood, Honda has embraced dual overhead cams and direct injection for the first time in the Fit to produce a 1.5-liter engine with more muscle and efficiency. Rated at 130 horsepower, its bests the previous motor’s output by 10% while raising combined gas mileage by 5mpg in this paddle shift equipped model to 35mpg. Combined with the continuously variable transmisison’s penchant for economy and a selectable ECO mode for more deliberate acceleration…and it’s already unhurried, this Earth Dreams powertrain is a pleasant mix of adequate energy and attainable fuel economy you don’t have to work at to achieve. And as I said before, the Fit simply feels more planted and sportier whether it’s on the highway where it remains true to a straight line or darting in and out of city traffic. It’s also quieter with more soundproofing. Hit a sizeable pothole or manhole cover however and the Fit is still going to tell your body all about it – despite the use of more sophisticated shocks.

Though it’s noticeably improved, the driving experience is likely not tops on the Fit shopper’s priority list. This car sells on other points, like safety – engineered for the highest crash test ratings, utility, economy and price point. All combined, they make the Fit the superior subcompact that it is.

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