Fun, flexible, and compact, the Honda Fit is among my favorite cars. The second generation, in particular, stood out as one of the best cars in its segment. But the B segment has gotten much more crowded over the years and the Fit faces stiffer competition than it did upon introduction.
For 2015, Honda has introduced the totally redesigned third generation Fit. It's got a new look and the next generation of Honda's dashboard tech. The new model also retains much of the flexibility I loved about the earlier models. With a new powertrain, it remains to be seen whether the new Fit will retain the driving character of its predecessors. I hopped behind the wheel of a 2015 Honda Fit EX-L with navigation to find out.
Earth Dreams
Beneath the 2015 Honda Fit's truncated hood is a 130-hp, 1.5-liter Earth Dreams engine. What is "Earth Dreams," you ask? Well, it's like Mazda's SkyActiv or Nissan's Pure Drive: a vague collection of fuel efficiency technologies and, more specifically, a marketing term.
The four-cylinder engine makes use of the automaker's trademark i-VTEC variable valve timing tech and direct injection to produce a respectable 114 pound-feet of torque. Output isn't overwhelming, but this is a lively little mill that revs happily. There's a suitable amount of power for an efficient, lightweight compact car, where driving quickly becomes a matter of momentum rather than muscle.
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That engine is mated, at the entry level, with a standard six-speed manual transmission that sends power to the front wheels. At our EX-L trim level, an optional Sport CVT (continuously variable transmission) becomes the only available transaxle. I'm not a huge fan of CVTs, but the Fit's Sport CVT is not terrible. Around town, the transmission doesn't attract attention to itself, smoothly and smartly selecting ratios to deliver the best blend of torque and efficiency.
However, the CVT features Sport and manual shift programs (with steering wheel paddles) and this is where things get less than ideal. When really pushed, the CVT's manually selected ratio changes have a rubber-bandy feel that lacks immediacy and the automatic Sport program does a lot of hunting for the right ratio, which dulls a bit of the throttle response when, for example, looking to add power on a corner exit. We weren't able to test it, but I've got a feeling that the manual transmission is the better choice for enthusiastic driving.
On the road
The engine itself feels (and sounds) zippy and eager enough, and the chassis retains the excellent Honda sport compact dynamics that I've come to expect from previous generations of the Fit. The steering is responsive, despite losing a bit of its communication in the switch to this generation's electric power steering. Even with the CVT, the 2015 Fit feels like a fun little economy front driver.
Our 2015 EX-L with Navigation is a top of the Fit's line, featuring keyless entry and a big red Start button on the right side of the steering wheel. On the other side of the wheel, all Fit models feature a big green ECON button that activates the hatchback's Eco Assist feature, which remaps the throttle curve for better fuel efficiency and illuminates a green backlight in the instrument cluster to let me, the driver, know when I was driving as efficiently as possible.
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As equipped, Honda estimates that our 2015 Fit will do 32 miles per gallon in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg over a combined cycle. This EX-L with navigation model is also the heaviest example in the lineup; drivers looking for the best fuel efficiency will want to look at the entry level LX trim level with CVT for an estimated 41 mpg on the highway and 36 mpg combined. During my testing, which consisted of about half sporty mountain driving and half freeway cruising in moderate traffic, I averaged 34.6 mpg.
'Magic' rear seat
One of the Fit's coolest features has always been its "Magic" rear seat. This 60/40 rear bench has seat-backs that fold flat to accommodate bulky, long items. What makes the seat unique is that its seat bases also flip up and lock into place, opening a massive space, from the flat floor to the ceiling, behind the rear seats that can accommodate taller objects. With rear doors that open wide to give excellent access to this second row space, it becomes remarkably easy to fit things into the Fit.
The Good The 2015 Honda Fit has an excellent chassis, boasting great handling and a terrific amount of interior volume. The "Magic" rear seat splits, folds
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