Overview: 2009 Honda Fit

2009 Honda Fit Review

Despite its looks, the 2009 Honda Fit is all-new. Every body panel has been tweaked to give the Honda Fit a sportier and more functional appearance. The Fit interior is roomier and incorporating the ACE body structure and side impact air bags, the 2009 Honda Fit is safer than ever.

 Versatility is the key to the 2009 Honda Fit. Few compact vehicles will accommodate four adults (although Honda claims five) as comfortably and the Magic Seat makes interior space configurable for hauling all sorts of items, long or tall. With surprising cargo capacity, roomy interior, and new safety features, the Honda Fit is a no-brainer for those looking for a compact, but useful little car.

The problem with small economy hatchback wagons is that they are small economy hatchback wagons: underpowered, cramped, the perception of being unsafe, and that feeling of being sentenced to a little five-door wagon rather than choosing to buy a compact car.

Honda presented the Fit five-door hatchback to solve those problems in 2006, and have refined the versatile hatchback even further in the 2009 Honda Fit. All-new sheet metal gives the Fit a sportier appearance and helps to increase its already roomy interior. Honda claims that those looks are to put driving fun into the vehicle. Looks alone don't cut it, but with a choice of a manual five-speed transmission or a five-speed automatic with paddle shifters, the new Honda Fit can be entertaining to drive. 

Now even roomier, more versatile and with better styling, the 2009 Honda Fit is more appealing than ever which helps take the sting out of paying slightly more for it than some of its competitors. The Honda Fit is a vehicle you would actually choose, not one you feel like you're sentenced to.

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The entry level 2009 Honda Fit starting at $15,220 including a $670 destination charge is a bare bones five-door hatchback that, despite its diminutive size, offers surprising room, comfort and utility through clever space planning, and use of innovative storage features. Back from the previous model is the popular "Magic Seat" which is a 60/40-split rear bench seat that can be easily folded flat with one hand. Combined with the passenger seats folding capability, long items can be shuttled inside the Fit easily. This year the Honda Fit Magic Seat is improved with a seat base that has a storage compartment built that is accessible when the seat is folded. For 2009, the base Honda Fit comes with 14-inch steel wheels but can be upgrade at 15-inch wheels.

The base Honda Fit ($15,220), as well as the Fit Sport, comes with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a manual five-speed transmission or a five-speed automatic.

The popular Honda Fit Sport begins at $16,730. Honda has fine-tuned the Fit Sport for 2009, equipping it with what their research has shown most customers want. Judging from the appearance of the Fit Sport version, one can conclude that, even if relegated to a compact car, people want their car to look and feel sporty even if it isn't. To achieve the illusion, Honda has outfitted the Fit Sport with a rear spoiler, sporty front bumper, fog lights, body-color side mirrors, and 15-inch wheels as part of the standard appearance features. Those looking to set themselves out a little farther from the pack can upgrade to 16-inch alloy wheels.

What separates the Honda Fit Sport from the base model Honda Fit is the inclusion of steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to add to that sense of driving fun.

Inside, the Honda Fit Sport comes with a few more amenities than the entry level Honda Fit. A USB port is included in the lined glove box to connect MP3 players. The Honda Fit steering wheel comes wrapped in leather. And Fit drivers are treated to a center armrest. Other convenience features only found on the Fit Sport include cruise control, keyless entry and a security system.

The top-level trim has been designated to the Honda Fit Sport Nav. For $18,580, the Fit Sport Nav comes with all the features of the Fit Sport plus a satellite navigation system. If you are looking for safety features like stability control, than the Fit Sport Nav is your only option. Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is only available on navigation equipped Fits.