Photo: Honda
"Budget", "subcompact", "hatchback" – three words that will scare any American car buyer away. Only people with tight credit ever go for something like a Kia Rio or Chevy Sonic. But now there's a new Honda on the block and it could be the one to buy.
The 2015 Fit goes on sale in America on April 14th and before we go into pricing let's look at what's so good about this family car. Starting with the engine, an Earth Dreams mill from the same family you get in the new Civic and Accord is offed. It's a tiny 1.5-liter, but it makes 130 hp and 114 lb-ft good for about 38 mpg highway.
Then there's the looks. We might be a little subjective about this, but the front end design is a little more classic "Honda" than the Civic. Some really funky paint colors are available and the interior is both classy and really spacious for its size.
Like Aladdin's cave, the Fit is big on the inside and small on the inside. It's dirty little secret is that when Honda develops the new Fit in Japan, it's actually designed as a compact, not a subcompact, which is why the cabin is a little bit bigger than most of its rivals when it arrives in America. When we say it arrives in America, we actually mean from Mexico, because that's where it's assembled. A slightly different grille is used than on the Japanese model, while the expensive 7-speed twin-clutch is swapped out for a CVT, the only real downside to the 2015 Fit.
Of course, this being a brand new car, Honda is not selling it cheaply. The basic model starts at $15,525 and really, you don't get a lot. The 2015 Fit LX gets power windows, cruise control, air conditioning and a standard rearview camera.
If you want that with a CVT, the LX will cost $16,325. Why would you pay $800 extra? Because fuel economy jumps from 29/37/32 with a manual to an amazing 33/41/36 mpg. It's worth noting that only the LX gets 41 mpg because it has small wheels, the other CVT models being about 3 mpg down.
The mid-grade Fit EX has all those features plus push-button start, floor mats, a six-speaker radio with a 7-inch display and 16-inch alloys. Costing $17,435, it's the one to go for in our opinion.
If you want a fully equipped model, the EX-L brings you the CVT as standard, plus heated leather front seats ad navigation to that and you're looking at a $20,800 car. Mot buyers looking to spend that much money on a new car will probably go for the Civic though.
"I'm thrilled that we've been able to greatly enhance and add to the Fit's already excellent attributes to provide Honda customers with class-above features and refinement at such a value price point," said Jeff Conrad, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Honda. "The 2015 Fit is practical, roomy, efficient, affordable and perhaps best of all, great fun to drive."
Like all good Hondas, the Fit is best enjoyed cheaply. We like the car and are really eager to see the little CUV that spawns from this next year. Maybe that will shake things up in the subcompact segment.
Then there's the looks. We might be a little subjective about this, but the front end design is a little more classic "Honda" than the Civic. Some really funky paint colors are available and the interior is both classy and really spacious for its size.
Of course, this being a brand new car, Honda is not selling it cheaply. The basic model starts at $15,525 and really, you don't get a lot. The 2015 Fit LX gets power windows, cruise control, air conditioning and a standard rearview camera.
If you want that with a CVT, the LX will cost $16,325. Why would you pay $800 extra? Because fuel economy jumps from 29/37/32 with a manual to an amazing 33/41/36 mpg. It's worth noting that only the LX gets 41 mpg because it has small wheels, the other CVT models being about 3 mpg down.
If you want a fully equipped model, the EX-L brings you the CVT as standard, plus heated leather front seats ad navigation to that and you're looking at a $20,800 car. Mot buyers looking to spend that much money on a new car will probably go for the Civic though.
"I'm thrilled that we've been able to greatly enhance and add to the Fit's already excellent attributes to provide Honda customers with class-above features and refinement at such a value price point," said Jeff Conrad, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Honda. "The 2015 Fit is practical, roomy, efficient, affordable and perhaps best of all, great fun to drive."
Like all good Hondas, the Fit is best enjoyed cheaply. We like the car and are really eager to see the little CUV that spawns from this next year. Maybe that will shake things up in the subcompact segment.
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