Honda Fit Sport Part 3: Performance

There are several obvious requirements for an economy car, none more important than being frugal with petrol. Beyond thriftiness at the pump, it must also be economical to buy and to own. And ideally, it should offer a level of no-brainer practicality that affords economy of thought. All of these things are givens. But the new Honda Fit Sport throws an unexpected characteristic into the mix that makes it the obvious standout in its class. The Fit is FUN!

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably seen one of the Fit's TV commercials, which proclaim - and I quote here - "Fit means go!" Now, that probably left you thinking, "Hum... I wonder if it goes?" Well, the answer is yes, and no.

Let's get that "no" out of the way first. With a 1.5-liter inline four making a modest 117 hp, the Honda Fit is no rocket ship. The i-VTEC-equipped hamster-wheel-of-a-motor twists out a less-than-impressive sounding 106 lb-ft of torque, but with the car weighing a reasonably light 2500 lbs. the Fit Sport actually moves pretty well. This is especially true if you opt for the stick instead of the automatic.

The first time you row through the gears of the five-speed manual, you may think that somewhere there must be a Honda S2000 missing its gearbox - such is the precise and crisp feel of the Fit's transmission. And while its throws aren't quite as short or pinpoint accurate as those of the S2000, swapping gears in the Fit is very satisfying and an integral part of the fun. If you happen to choose the five-speed automatic, you'll still have a good time shifting with the paddles fitted behind the steering wheel.

Another primary control breaking economy car stereotypes and getting in on the fun is the steering wheel. Honda has employed an electric power steering system that lessens the load on the engine to further aid economy. Thankfully, unlike similar systems from some other manufacturers, it doesn't feel over-boosted to the point of disconnecting the lines of communication between the steering wheel, the front tires and the pavement.

The original Honda Fit set the bar with its capable and fun handling dynamics, and here too the new car shows that Honda's engineers weren't happy to leave well-enough alone. Where the previous Fit's decent handling came with a ride many considered too harsh, the new car has a level of compliance that at first may have you thinking that its sporty handling has been lost. A quick steer through some twisty bits, however, will quickly erase those thoughts.

So the pluses are many, but how about the minuses? Well, the car can get loud at elevated cruising speeds, and even at lower speeds the engine isn't exactly sonorous. And you'll be hearing the engine often as you dig deep into its powerband just to keep up with speedy traffic. Lastly, the stability control system is only available as a package with the Navigation system, adding substantially to the Fit's sticker and detracting from its value.

But overall, the 2009 Honda Fit Sport is as perfectly judged as you could expect given the inherent compromises necessary of an entry-level economy car. It is all of those things that an economy car must be, while breaking the mold cast by countless dull econoboxes through its mix of economy and fun.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

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