2010 Honda Fit Review

Sold as the Jazz overseas, this platform is offered in 70 different markets throughout the world. The genius of the setup is the utility it allows with a compact suspension design that carves out more space for the passenger compartment and a lower floor for easy entry.

Honda installs independent MacPherson struts in front with a stabilizer bar and an H-shaped torsion beam with stabilizer bar in the rear. The steering system gets electric power assistance, which eliminates a load of hydraulic equipment and contributes to the efficiency of Fit’s modest engine.

Under the hood a single-cam 1.5-liter 4-cylinder is made from aluminum with a drive-by-wire throttle and Honda’s i-VTEC (variable value timing and lift electronic control) technology to precisely manage engine breathing and combustion in order to maximize horsepower and disperse torque across a broad band. It produces 117-hp at 6000 rpm plus torque of 106 ft-lbs at 4800 rpm.

Two five-speed transmissions are offered (auto and manual) with the latter an engaging experience, while the electronically controlled automatic boosts fuel economy and even comes with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Sport model.

Climb inside to discover that the cabin feels airy and roomy, despite overall dimensions that tie the Fit to the smallest category of cars. The cockpit floor dips low so you can step aboard easily, and the ceiling bows high up front to fit tall chair-like seats on the front row. Passengers in the two front buckets sit upright, with their heads positioned high for better visibility though the ring of windows.

Designers counterbalanced spatial confinements of a small car by raising the roof and lengthening the wheelbase to fashion a cabin that seems spacious even for backseat passengers and also provides 20.6 cubic of cargo room (or an incredible 57.3 cubic feet with rear seatbacks down).

A clean and efficient layout for the cockpit sets the instrument panel below an arched bonnet, with a sporty three-spoke steering wheel (with audio and cruise control commands on Sport models). HVAC controls are also located immediately to the right of the driver making for excellent ease of use.

In the rear there’s a 60/40 split bench that Honda calls the "Magic Seat" as the seatbacks dive down and bottom sections flip up to vary configurations for passengers and cargo. The rear seatbacks can fold away to form a virtually flat cargo floor or the front seats will recline flush with rear seat bottoms to make a long and flat cushioned area like a bed.

The entry edition 2010 Fit with a five-speed manual transmission lists for $14,900, or $15,700 with the automatic shifter. Sport models start at $16,410 (manual) or $17,260 (automatic) and you can toss in Navigation (a rarity in this segment) for a total of $18,260 (manual) and $19,110 (automatic).

While it’s certainly not the $10,000 econo box that some automakers are offering in this segment, with the Fit you get what you pay for and then some. It has plenty of standard equipment, great options, tons of style (inside and out), is fun to drive and great on fuel. In its segment, the Fit is so good it’s almost not fair.

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