Teresa’s View
Prepare yourselves for a new next wave from Asia. It’s the small, fuel-efficient commuter car. Automakers like Honda, Toyota and Nissan are banking that an extended period of high gas prices will help American drivers appreciate what the rest of the world already knows — these cute little cars are not only cheaper to own, but can be reliable, safe and even fun to drive.
One of the newest of these little cars is the Fit from Honda. The little guy is a top seller in Asia and Europe so it’s not a new car, per se. Honda has sold more than a million of these babies in 70 different countries since introducing it in Asia and Europe in 2001.
The Fit proves that a utilitarian, entry-level priced vehicle doesn’t have to scrimp on convenience, comfort or safety features. The base model comes with a CD player, air conditioning and power mirrors, windows and door locks. Safety items include anti-lock brakes, side air bags for front occupants and side curtain air bags for everyone.
The up-level Sport adds a premium audio system with MP3 and Windows Media Audio 9 (WMA) playback capability, plus an auxiliary audio jack for your iPOD.
Fulfilling the promise of its name, the Sport model is outfitted with an underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights and 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels with wider tires.
A 109-horsepower, 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder VTEC engine powers both trims, and is offered with a standard 5-speed manual or optional automatic transmission.
For a small car, it’s surprisingly roomy thanks to a tall roofline. There are seatbelts for five passengers, but don’t be fooled. Four is the limit.
Honda calls the seats “magic” and not just because they’re comfortable, which they are. These seats perform tricks. The 60/40 split rear seats fold flat — anybody can do that — but they flip up against the front seats for added cargo capacity. The front seats recline flush with the rear seats to create a long, flat surface for those times you arrive early at the Park and Ride and a cat nap sounds nice. To make room for the magic, Honda engineers moved the fuel tank forward to the middle of the car.
Your ride won’t be the most powerful car on the block, but when the neighbors with the Hummer complain about gas prices, you can just smile in that smug way you have and tell them that the estimated fuel economy for the Fit is 33 mpg city and 38 highway and it burns regular fuel; it’s cheaper to insure and — oh yeah — it’s a Honda, with all the reliability and resale value that goes with the name. Now, let’s see that smile again.
What Is It?: The 2007 Fit is an all-new, five-door, subcompact hatchback from Honda. Prices for the Fit start at a bit over $14K, including destination charges.
FYI: In Japan, the Fit is called the Jazz.
So, Where Are Ya From?: The Fit is assembled in Suzuka, Mie, Japan.