Honda Fit Sport Part 2: Interior & User Experience

The 2009 Honda Fit Sport is perfectly positioned to overshadow the surprising success of its predecessor. Arriving at a time when downsizing to efficient, responsible vehicles seems to be the "in" thing to do, the new Fit has a more handsome, practical and efficient design, inside and out.

Its longer wheelbase and length combined with a slight increase in width, make the Fit feel even more roomy with four passengers on board than before. And if you're hauling things other than people, the space available with Honda's Magic Seats folded flat - a full 57 cubic feet - will have you looking for the smoke and mirrors.

Those Magic Seats show off Honda's typically excellent packaging, with the seat backs folding completely flat as mentioned, or with the seat bottoms folding up to reveal a cargo area behind the front seats deep enough to swallow tall packages. There are also dual gloveboxes up front and little storage pockets and cup-holders seemingly at every turn.

So clearly the genius of the Honda Fit is in its clever packaging. But the most brilliant aspect of its layout is invisible to the eye. What you can't see that contributes greatly to the Fit's efficient packaging is the flat, under-floor fuel tank located centrally beneath the front seats.

Unfortunately, the gas tank is slightly smaller than it was on the original Fit at just over 10.5 gallons. So while the car gets good mileage, your range isn't exactly extensive. To its credit, Honda has thought of a neat way to help you make the most of every tank of gas.

The instant fuel economy gauge speaks to one of the car's main priorities - which is of course to sip fuel. Still, there is fun to be had as you're likely to find yourself feathering the throttle to keep the gauge up in the 35-40 mpg zone. Admittedly, it's a different kind of fun, but it's fun nonetheless. But if you still like your driving excitement to be of the more conventional variety, the Fit can do that as well.

Making a big contribution in the fun-to-drive department is the panoramic forward view, which is aided by front quarter windows three times larger than those on the original Fit. Equally important, the new steering column is now adjustable for both rake and reach, so drivers of all dimensions should find the fit more comfortable than before. And thanks to the auxiliary input and a USB connection on the Fit Sport, your fun can also include all of your favorite tunes.

With an excellent seating position, a great steering wheel lifted straight from the rambunctious Civic Si and a slick shifting five-speed gearbox, the Fit Sport proves that fun doesn't always have to involve lots of horsepower and speed. Sometimes low weight, good balance and great controls can do the trick, with practicality and economy to boot.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 3: Performance

Honda Fit Sport

Performance
- Acceleration: Not exactly overwhelming, but the fantastic manual gearbox makes the adequate acceleration somewhat fun
- Handling: Better than expected given the economical nature of the car and its nose-heavy balance - actually fun to drive quickly (quickly being relative)
- Braking: It'll wiggle around a bit when you're on the binders hard, but the ABS isn't as obtrusive as anticipated - still, rear drum brakes are barely acceptable these days, bargain price or not

Design
- Exterior: HUGE improvement over the dorky styling of the previous model - actually good to look at
- Interior: Typical Honda quality with a well thought out design that is also modern and good looking

Utility
- Comfort: Excellent seats - impressive space even for rear passengers, especially considering its size
- Space: Clever "Magic" seats give you several options for cargo carrying - again, bigger inside than you'd expect

Safety
- Dynamics: Good, direct steering, but all-season tires and narrow track don't add up to tons of stability in evasive maneuvering
- Technology: Airbags galore, but stability control can only be had as a package with navigation system

Value
- Price: Starts to sneak up on the more conventional and refined Civic (crazy to write refined and Civic in the same sentence, but true)
- Mileage: One of the most economical cars out there - and FUN in the process!

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Nah. That's not exactly its mission though
- Fun to spank: Fun to drive, not exactly to spank

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Front-wheel drive
Engine: 1.5 liter, inline 4
Power (SAE): 117 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque: 106 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Curb Weight: 2510 lbs.
0-60 mph: 8.5 sec.
1/4 mile: 16.7 @ 83 mph
Top Speed: 114 mph
Mileage: 27 city / 33 highway
Base Price: $16,060
Competitors: Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Kia Rio5, Dodge Caliber, Honda Civic