Here in America, Honda has launched the new generation Fit that is something way different from its predecessors. The new Fit has a bolder design, simpler interior and new set of engines to toy with.
The latter in particular, is Honda’s irect-injected 1.5-liter four-cylinder that offers 130hp, which is a 13hp increment from the previous model. The motor is paired to a 6-speed manual transmission that is tuned similarly to the 5-speed gearbox from the previous model. Unfortunately, this also means that the new manual transmission suffers from the same strained RPM as before.
On the Brightside of things, the new Fit is more economical than ever. While not much, the new engine and transmission returns 27/33/29mpg. If the hatchback is taken with the 7-speed paddle shifters, the fuel consumption will be at a better rate of 28/35/31mpg.
The biggest change of them all is with the Honda Fit’s design and built. The hatchback is simply bigger and longer than before. The headlights and taillights are more aggressively shaped which blends well with the blacked-out grille.
The sad part is with the many ‘lines’ the features on the exterior design. We feel that it is exaggerated as there are simply too many of them for our liking. There is no need to make the Fit looking like a racer car when its sole purpose is to be economical.
The overall improvements are believed to be at 10% in figure, which is still not convincing enough in our books. Then again, an improvement is still an improvement which makes the Honda Fit a great hatchback overall.
