Test Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport Nav

Competes With: Nissan Versa Hatchback, Toyota Yaris, Scion xD

Test Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport Nav

When Honda announced they were introducing an all new compact wagon with the release of the 2009 Honda Fit five-door hatchback after only three years in the U.S. market, we were skeptical that it was only going to be a refreshing of the compact wagon. When they unveiled the 2009 Honda Fit, and the more appealing to the masses Honda Fit Sport, we became even more skeptical. At first review, little separates the 2009 Honda Fit from the previous version. However, a closer review reveals that the new Fit doesn't share a single common piece of sheet metal with its predecessor. Under the skin, new energy absorbing body structure called Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) further distinguishes the 2009 Honda Fit from the previous generation.

Honda introduced the 2009 Fit at the Getty Villa along the Pacific Coast and was so confident in the Fit's supremacy in the compact hatch market, they brought along three of its competitors to prove the point. On hand for our scrutiny alongside the Honda Fit and Fit Sport Nav as we wound our way through the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Coast Highway, were the Nissan Versa Hatchback, Toyota Yaris and Scion xD. Our first turn behind the wheel put us in a Fit Sport Nav, equipped with a five-speed automatic and paddle shifters. Starting price for the Honda Fit Sport Nav is $17,910, an expensive proposition for a powertrain that was only adequate, mostly due to the five-speed automatic transmission.   

The Engine

Compact economy vehicles are not designed for sports-car handling, but Honda has set a goal of instilling driving fun into the 2009 Honda Fit. With the only engine option being a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, there's not a lot of room for fun in the horsepower department. The little four-banger delivers a paltry 117 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 106 lb.-ft. of torque. To coax the fun factor out of the drivetrain, Honda has improved the final-drive gear for zippier off the line action and improved uphill pull.

In Drive, the five-speed automatic highlights the low power output. But when you put the transmission into sport mode and use the steering-wheel-mounted paddle, the Honda Fit Sport Nav does become entertaining. The Fit is happiest on flat ground, where it has just enough grunt to create a sense of speed as it weaves in and out of traffic.

Ride & Handling

When trying to eke a little zip out of small vehicles, light precise steering and enough torque to scoot you along makes them feel much faster than they actually are, and the 2009 Honda Fit is no exception. Because of the small tires and high profile, the Fit does tend to lean a bit when pushed under these conditions. Yet, as we tossed it from side to side through the twisty roads of the Santa Monica Mountains, we found the Honda Fit handling to be very predictable and could almost use it to our advantage as we leaned left to right and back again in much the same way Olympic bobsledders do. This predictability, however, we attributed to the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) of our Honda Fit Sport Nav as we had a somewhat different experience in our test drive of the base Fit.

After the large drive loop was concluded, Honda let us spend a couple of hours hopping between vehicles and running them up and down the canyons. As they were passed from journalist to journalist and pushed up and down the canyons, none of the Fits showed any sign of brake fade.

Interior & Exterior

The greenhouse of the 2009 Honda Fit is expansive, and visibility couldn't be a whole lot better without removing the top entirely. Honda has abandoned their customary balanced and bilateral approach to entertainment and climate controls. The three climate control knobs that sweep in an arc around the outside diameter of the steering wheel are large, pronounced and easy to use. The secondary controls on the steering wheel are easy to use. We did find that the paddle shifters attached to the steering wheel had us scrambling to find their location as the wheel was cocked from left to right through the twisties.

Honda seems to have shoehorned a storage compartment into every usable space. Cupholders, an upper and lower glove box, and numerous door and side pockets nearly guarantee that you will not be wanting for more storage. This is one place where the 2009 Honda Fit really shines versus its competition from Toyota, Nissan and Scion.

The real magic of the Honda Fit is in the rear seating, which Honda refers to as the "Magic Seat." The ease of folding the Magic Seat for hauling cargo is unmatched in the compact car class. Each side of the 60/40 split seat can be folded flat for hauling long items, or the seat cushions can be folded up to accommodate taller items. In addition, the seat now comes with a storage compartment built into the base that can be accessed when the Honda's seat is folded up. As well designed as it is, a Magic Seat is worthless if it's not comfortable -- perhaps the biggest trick of all is how Honda created enough room for four adults to ride comfortably in the Fit.

Honda claims there is room for five in the Fit, but we're going with four if they are all adults. Rear visibility is improved by the addition of head restraints that set flush with the top of the seat back when not in use.

Next Page: 2009 Honda Fit Sport Nav Summary & Specifications

Read the Overview: 2009 Honda Fit

See the Quick Look: 2009 Honda Fit