-J-P-L-

I know this has been briefly discussed already but,...

Thanks to those pesky US bumper regulations, most will probably agree that the proportions of the US Fit are all screwed up.

As I will soon be in the market for a new subcompact to replace my gas guzzling V-8, the '09 Fit is on the list. Thing is, it's a bit hard to get past the awkwardly long front overhang of the US version. But viewed from any other angle other than profile, it doesn't look that bad. For me, it's not a deal breaker but nevertheless a bit of a letdown.

Here's a profile comparison of the two versions. Let me know which one you guys prefer (even though we don't have a choice). Did US regulations ruin the Fit?

rsantiago

The US Version doesn't look that bad, the JDM version seems to be more egg shaped.

I wonder why Honda won't bring the CVT transmission, here in the PI (Fit)/Jazz as they call it here is offered with a CVT not 5 speed auto.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

i like the JDM profile better. The US Fit looks like they took the front out of a 7th gen accord and stuck it on there.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Which one is which though? I like the red one personally.

LexFather

I saw it at the Atlanta Auto Show and it continues the Honda ugly trend. It looks like a small van, not a hatchback.

I wasn't aware of the differences, thanks for posting, the JDM one looks MUCH cleaner.

Gojirra99

I prefer the JDM ...

-J-P-L-

The red one is the US version.

TRDFantasy

US bumper regulations alone though do not explain that long nose on the USDM model. Many other automakers have made cars with short noses that also happen to meet US bumper regulations.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

the jdm one looks so much better. a lot smoother. the usdm one, the front is like it's "add on"

-J-P-L-

True. Many cars have very short front hoods/noses/overhangs.

For example, if the Smart Fortwo meets safety regulations, then the JDM Fit easily does. Or how about the Toyota Yaris or Scion xD among others?

Doesn't make sense.

Lexmex

JDM looks a lot better.

JHStrange

the US version looks like what it is, an extended bumper not an integrated design. I had the same reservations when I bought my '91 Lotus Elan, I thought the UK version just looked more tidy. Too bad they don't design cars from the beginning for the US market but with every country setting thier own criteria it's a mess for manufacturers.

TRDFantasy

The long nose on the USDM model was a styling/engineering decision Honda made. It has little to do with the bumper regulations, unless Honda does not know how to make short noses that meet US bumper regulations which would be a little bit silly.

Solo_D33A

well, that means it's got a bigger engine bay to do a swap.

bagwell

its a mini - minivan


also -- someone needs to photshop the red cars wheels onto the blue car! plastic wheel covers are ghey