CD Article: 2009 Honda Fit

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


Slightly bigger and more powerful than the current model, the 2009 Honda Fit offers improved crash-safety, cabin space and fuel consumption, but it's not quite as nimble as the current Fit, says Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson.  And stability control is not offered.
 More:
Read the article | View the photos | All the First Drives

[Honda Owner]

A good evolution of a car sold all around the world. Sadly, the edge that the earlier model has seems to have been dulled a bit. However, I am sure Honda will sell a bazillion of them.

[PJungnitsch]

Boo-urns for the lack of stability control. And as mentioned, it looks like Honda is not adjusting prices, rather keeping 'em high and decontenting.

That said, adding a DX model with air is a good move.

[Cortina]

Honda Canada really have dull colours. I.5L should make it better then the Euro ones. 

[PMREdmonton]

No stability control means I can cross this one off my list.

[Edirol]

Once again the USD models get VSA and not Canada.

[Schmengie]

 I'd be amazed if you could find an '09 Fit at anywhere near MSRP. Just like the '08, the '09 base model will be rare as hen's teeth if you can find one at all. Up-selling is the name of the game at Honda.

 The Honda dealer here still has plenty of '08s in stock, all listed at MSRP plus.

 That said, the new Fit is a much more attractive car, and Honda will sell 'em by the boatload.

[tpl]

I am sure it is a better car than the '07 that we have but not good enough to be worth trading up for.

I suspect that Honda will add the stability control to Cdn models for 2010 or 2011.   I must admit thatwith  new Blizzaks on each corner I never felt the need for it last winter.

[carcrazy]

"The cargo area behind the rear seats is a class-leading 585 litres (20.7 cu. ft.), but slightly less than the 2008 Fit's 603 litres (21.3 cu. ft.)."

Is this statement correct? If so, this is an impressive cargo space  - bigger than mid-size sedans, compact hatches and some small SUVs.

EDIT: A quick visit on Honda's website showed that it is. IMPRESSIVE!!!

[quadzilla]

"The cargo area behind the rear seats is a class-leading 585 litres (20.7 cu. ft.), but slightly less than the 2008 Fit's 603 litres (21.3 cu. ft.)."

Is this statement correct? If so, this is an impressive cargo space  - bigger than mid-size sedans, compact hatches and some small SUVs.

EDIT: A quick visit on Honda's website showed that it is. IMPRESSIVE!!!

Personally I think they should show the real trunk volumes (IE: Under the cover) and not all the way to the roof line. Or at least give measurements.

[carcrazy]

"The cargo area behind the rear seats is a class-leading 585 litres (20.7 cu. ft.), but slightly less than the 2008 Fit's 603 litres (21.3 cu. ft.)."

Is this statement correct? If so, this is an impressive cargo space  - bigger than mid-size sedans, compact hatches and some small SUVs.

EDIT: A quick visit on Honda's website showed that it is. IMPRESSIVE!!!

Personally I think they should show the real trunk volumes (IE: Under the cover) and not all the way to the roof line. Or at least give measurements.

 

[FitLurker]

Boo-urns for the lack of stability control. And as mentioned, it looks like Honda is not adjusting prices, rather keeping 'em high and decontenting.

That said, adding a DX model with air is a good move.

I am actually considering this model.  But is it true that the air filtration system is standard on the LX but not on the DX as stated in the article?  Is A/C the same thing?

[slybry]

Air filtration is something I would skip. On my Accord these filters are buried in the dash and cost a bit of labour to change.  Just another mtce issue and expense to deal with.

I have had my Accord for 8 years and have never been able to tell that the filtration even exists. Maybe they are good for people that are allergic to everything. For me it is usless and a complete waste of money.

On another note: Is it true that the sunroof on fit will just be a fixed glass piece that does not even open??? I read a blub in Car & driver a while ago that stated this might be the case. That sucks 

[wongnog]

slybry: I think what you are referring to is the JDM (Japan) Fit moonroof, which makes the ceiling completely see-through but does not open like a sunroof.

On another topic, what do you guys think about the lack of Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) in the Canadian '09 Fit?  The are available as an option to the US '09 Fit (with Nav).  I read we might see them here next year, as Honda has to include VSA on more and more of their cars over the next few years (55% in 2009, 75% in 2010, 95% in 2011).  Not sure if these numbers apply to Canada though...

I'm starting to rethink my decision to upgrade my 2005 Mazda3 Sport GT for an '09 Fit.  I think the Mazda3 has Electronic Brake Distribution, which if I'm not mistaken is the same as VSA, is that right?  Hope someone can clear this one up for me.

[Demosthenes X]

No stability control means I can cross this one off my list.

I'm starting to rethink my decision to upgrade my 2005 Mazda3 Sport GT for an '09 Fit.  I think the Mazda3 has Electronic Brake Distribution, which if I'm not mistaken is the same as VSA, is that right?  Hope someone can clear this one up for me.

Do people really need stability control in a compact, FWD car making all of 117 horsepower?    Nice to have?  Sure.  But if it's a deal breaker, than maybe you need to focus more on learning to drive without feeling the "need" for stability control.

I'm disappointed with the base model Fit - it does not offer very good equipment versus some of the competition.  The two-speaker stereo is a prime example: even the $10 500 Chevy Aveo has four speakers.  Two speakers = lame.

Otherwise, very impressed with the car, and looking forward to getting out in one.  At least one and probably more dealers in Vancouver started receiving 09 Fits last week... 

[Arthur Dent]

I can't imagine VSA adds all that much to such a small car. Shame there is a no real base model without power steering. Still looks like an attractive package but hopefully they ramp up supply to solve the price gouging issues.

[wongnog]

I really don't know much about cars, so I wasn't sure if VSA is a "must have" feature or not

[fitnomore]

The 09 Fit appears to be a great car which I was ready to purchase this fall.  However, no stability control (VSA), no car.  Stability control is a proven life saver, for all levels of drivers.  I find it unconscionable that Honda would engineer VSA into this car, and then not offer it to Canadians, at any price. Does Honda think that Canadian lives are more expendable than the lives of Americans?  I now may have to condsider the Vibe/Matrix, or perhaps the upcoming Elantra Touring (although there are suggestions that Hyundai may also delete ESC for us apparently expendable Canadians, as well).

[wongnog]

I just checked the specs for my '05 Mazda3 Sport GT, and it has ABS+EBD (electronic brake-force distribution).  Is this the same as VSA?  Does this mean an '09 Fit would be a "downgrade" for me in terms of safety?  I do know the Fit has more airbags (side curtain) than the M3

[hoss]

I was really sold on the new Fit.  I checked one out on the weekend (just off the truck not serviced)  I didn't drive it but spent almost 40 minutes sitting in it and looking everywhere.  Now I'm not sure.  It is really built to be a light fuel saving car.  Some areas seem a little cheap (the carpets).  The no roof racks and no trailers, however small, worry me a bit. I guess the battery sums it up, it's about the size of the one in my garden tractor.

We went across the road and drove a Matrix.  It seemed a much more substantial car with only a small hit on fuel.  The Matrix drove OK, and price wise about the same.  I'll to wait to drive the Fit to be sure, but it does seem Honda could do better on it's prices.