Review: 2009 Honda Fit Sport
#16
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What's interesting about many of today's automatics, as oppposed to the past, is they often equal or exceed the mileage of manual transmissions on the same car.....even the inherently less efficient torque-converter automatics.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-08-08 at 06:16 PM.
#17
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Sure. Anytime. ![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Yes, in some ways, but the Chevy Aveo's 2LT interior (not the base model) just blows the Fit's away. Honda could have used materials like that inside, but chose not to.
The Yaris, especially the four-door, also has more solid-sounding doors when you close them, and about the same quality interior hardware (and here, I'm just speaking of hardware quality, not its looks or trim, where the Aveo 2LT outdoes them both). The Yaris, however, has one BIG irritating feature, IMO (I don't know if you agree).....the center-dash gauges, which, in my book, are a big no-no.
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I love both generations of the Fit. It's such a practical and sensible car for today's world.
But I bought a Yaris S sedan instead because:
- The Yaris was more affordable (about $14K was my limit and you can't touch a Fit Sport for anywhere near that)
- I bought my Yaris in July when the '09 wasn't available and the '08's were all but impossible to find (although the Yaris was nearly as impossible too).
- The Yaris get's better gas mileage (by a decent margin) and gas was $4.
- The Yaris sedan S styling is subjectively better and "normal".
- The Yaris is also faster even with the better MPG's
These big reasons were more imporatant to me than the Fit's plusses:
- better interior (materials, styling, rear seat versatilty)
- better driving dynamics
I feel those are the only two areas that the Fit really shines against the Yaris.
- The Yaris was more affordable (about $14K was my limit and you can't touch a Fit Sport for anywhere near that)
- I bought my Yaris in July when the '09 wasn't available and the '08's were all but impossible to find (although the Yaris was nearly as impossible too).
- The Yaris get's better gas mileage (by a decent margin) and gas was $4.
- The Yaris sedan S styling is subjectively better and "normal".
- The Yaris is also faster even with the better MPG's
These big reasons were more imporatant to me than the Fit's plusses:
- better interior (materials, styling, rear seat versatilty)
- better driving dynamics
I feel those are the only two areas that the Fit really shines against the Yaris.
#18
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Thanks for the review Mike!
Sub-compact cars are making a huge impact in the automotive market in the U.S. because of the need for more funcionality, better gas mileage, and thrifty bargain price tags. As you have noted, the Yaris and Aveo are playing this game, along with a gamut of other models such as the Versa, xD, etc. But they all lack one thing...
My question regards your thoughts on the market in general: should automakers actually focus on making these cars more sporty such as their European counterparts, of would you prefer that they "keep it simple and cheap" with everyday functional loftiness, which are preferred by most cushy American drivers?
Sub-compact cars are making a huge impact in the automotive market in the U.S. because of the need for more funcionality, better gas mileage, and thrifty bargain price tags. As you have noted, the Yaris and Aveo are playing this game, along with a gamut of other models such as the Versa, xD, etc. But they all lack one thing...
My question regards your thoughts on the market in general: should automakers actually focus on making these cars more sporty such as their European counterparts, of would you prefer that they "keep it simple and cheap" with everyday functional loftiness, which are preferred by most cushy American drivers?
#19
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Sure. Anytime. ![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
IMO, this is the interior that sets the best example for how to do a small-car...the Chevy Aveo 2LT. (and the Hyundai Accent/Elantra interiors are not far behind it)
![](http://www.familycar.com/roadtests/chevroletaveo/Images2007/Dash-md.jpg)
As far as the chassis is concerned, Short-wheelbase/short-track cars already have an edge in agility and manuverability to start with, so, IMO, one does not need to beef their chassis and tires up to sports-car stiffness to get reasonably good handling. But, specifically, yes, there should be at least a couple of versions available on the market which do offer mini-sports-sedan handling....the Honda Civic Si, VW GTi, and MazdaSpeed3 come readily to mind.
Another factor to take into consideration is that with cars as small, light, and with as short a wheelbase as the Fit, Yaris, and Aveo, you can only beef the chassis up so much before you get a ride that is unacceptably stiff on rough roads.
Then, of course, their engine compartments are small enough so that you are limited in what size powerplant you stick in (many cars have engines that are already crammed in too tight). To get around that, engineers use turbos. But, the larger the turbo (or supercharger) and the more boost you run, the more room you need underhood for the ducting, radiator, and intercoolers.....so then you are back to square one.
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Sub-compact cars are making a huge impact in the automotive market in the U.S. because of the need for more funcionality, better gas mileage, and thrifty bargain price tags. As you have noted, the Yaris and Aveo are playing this game, along with a gamut of other models such as the Versa, xD, etc. But they all lack one thing...
My question regards your thoughts on the market in general: should automakers actually focus on making these cars more sporty such as their European counterparts, of would you prefer that they "keep it simple and cheap" with everyday functional loftiness, which are preferred by most cushy American drivers?
My question regards your thoughts on the market in general: should automakers actually focus on making these cars more sporty such as their European counterparts, of would you prefer that they "keep it simple and cheap" with everyday functional loftiness, which are preferred by most cushy American drivers?
![](http://www.familycar.com/roadtests/chevroletaveo/Images2007/Dash-md.jpg)
As far as the chassis is concerned, Short-wheelbase/short-track cars already have an edge in agility and manuverability to start with, so, IMO, one does not need to beef their chassis and tires up to sports-car stiffness to get reasonably good handling. But, specifically, yes, there should be at least a couple of versions available on the market which do offer mini-sports-sedan handling....the Honda Civic Si, VW GTi, and MazdaSpeed3 come readily to mind.
Another factor to take into consideration is that with cars as small, light, and with as short a wheelbase as the Fit, Yaris, and Aveo, you can only beef the chassis up so much before you get a ride that is unacceptably stiff on rough roads.
Then, of course, their engine compartments are small enough so that you are limited in what size powerplant you stick in (many cars have engines that are already crammed in too tight). To get around that, engineers use turbos. But, the larger the turbo (or supercharger) and the more boost you run, the more room you need underhood for the ducting, radiator, and intercoolers.....so then you are back to square one.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-08-08 at 07:23 PM.
#21
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#22
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With the body size increase, it doesn't seem like a subcompact anymore. Great review and great car...this would be one of my first picks for an econocar. Alas, I'm found on the ES forums...I'm sure the Fit is much more entertaining to drive.
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So the only 'sport' in this Fit Sport is bits of plastic on the front and side?
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Plus, with economy cars, you typically aren't getting a bigger engine and different suspension with the sport versions. That wouldn't make economical sense. An example of an exeption was the Neon SRT-4 and look how much it sold. $20K for a Neon with bad gas mileage didn't draw much more than a select few who wanted the most performance you could get for $20K.
That sort of thing makes no sense for Fit, Yaris, Aveo, Versa, Accent, ect...
#25
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Mechanically, yes. The 5-speed automatic Sportshift, especially, is a good feature, and interior space efficiency/versatility is quite good, and, of course, there is always Honda reliability, but I find interior trim and body sheet metal a little disappointing. And the general body styling is not my cup of tea, especially up front.
#27
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Of course, but one can say the same about the Civic, drive it sensibly and you can also obliterate those EPA numbers as well. Anyhow, that was the biggest disappointment, along with the price gouging that is going on with this model, propelling this subcompact to the $19k+ price range! ![EEK!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/eek1.gif)
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#28
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When you see one and stand next to it, you'll see what I mean. It does have a rather high roof, though, for a subcompact.
Great review and great car
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...this would be one of my first picks for an econocar. Alas, I'm found on the ES forums...I'm sure the Fit is much more entertaining to drive.
#29
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I wouldn't just say that. The 5-speed Sportshift transmission one-ups some of the competition in the number of gears, and it has nice shift-paddles on the steering wheel. It also comes in some nice "Sport" paint colors, instead of the usual funeral shades I comment on so much. But, outside of that, I'll agree with you that this is not a "sport" vehicle as you and I would think of one. As I noted in my reply to superchan7 above, it's basic transportation, with a dose of space efficiency, and not a whole lot else, except what you and I have noted.
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But, outside of that, I agree, there is little reason to recommend it. The interior trim (not the hardware) is cheap (especially compared to the superb trim of the Aveo 2LT), its road manners are rather ho-hum, and the body styling, IMO, almost puts it in the Pontiac Aztek class. It also can be difficult to bargain on.