Fit Might be Hit

The bustling city streets of Santa Monica are a good, dare we say, fit for American Honda Motor Co. Inc.'s new subcompact.

The '07 Honda Fit will be known for its quirky styling cues and one of its ingenious interior seating configurations, dubbed “Long Mode.” The front passenger seat reclines, and the second-row seat folds forward, great for stowing a surfboard.

The 5-door Fit represents Honda's return to the subcompact segment in the U.S. As its Civic model, launched as a subcompact in 1973, has grown larger and pricier, Honda officials say the brand once again needs a more affordable vehicle for frugal buyers.

The Fit delivers that which consumers expect from a Honda: a smooth, quiet engine, effortless shifting and quality interior materials.

Riding on a MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion-beam rear setup, the Fit is powered by a 1.5L SOHC 4-cyl. that uses Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) technology for improved low-end torque.

Although not class-leading (that honor goes to the upcoming Nissan Versa's 120 hp), the Fit makes 109 hp, higher than that of the Scion xA, Chevy Aveo and Toyota Yaris. The engine can be mated to a 5-speed manual or first-in-class 5-speed automatic.

While the Fit is sold in Japan and Europe with a continuously variable transmission, Honda says its research showed Americans prefer conventional step-ratio automatics. The Versa will offer a CVT.

The engine shows no sign of strain during uphill climbs and proves to be a champ when crawling in traffic. The Fit's high-output electric power steering assist responds immediately in corners — a pleasant surprise for a B-segment car.

While models in the Civic lineup weigh some 100-300 lbs. (45-136 kg) more than the Fit and Fit Sport, highway fuel economy is estimated at 38 mpg (6.2 km/100 L) for the base Fit with 5-speed automatic and 37 mpg (6.4 L/100 km) for the Fit Sport with the same gearbox.

All Civic 5-speed automatic models are rated at 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km) highway. How the Fit, which weighs less and has a smaller engine, can get worse mileage likely is due to aerodynamics and gearing.

It could hamper Fit sales if buyers notice a larger, more powerful car can be purchased for $15,160 (Civic DX sedan with automatic), just $510 more than the Fit with automatic — and the Civic is more fuel efficient on the highway, too.

Other flaws are minor: The Fit's heating, ventilation and air conditioning control knobs are difficult to grasp; the headliner-mounted grab bars have exposed screws; and an auxiliary jack to plug in an MP3 player is available only on the upper-trim Fit Sport. Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion xA and the new '07 Chevy Aveo sedan have a standard jack.

Other standard equipment for the Fit, which begins at $13,850, includes power windows, mirrors and door locks; air conditioning; and AM/FM/CD stereo.

The Fit Sport, which bases at $15,170, adds larger, 15-in. alloy wheels, underbody kit, rear spoiler, fog lights, leather steering wheel and 6-speaker audio system.

The '07 Honda Fit went on sale in the U.S. in April. Honda expects to sell 35,000 to 40,000 Fits this year.

Those numbers seem doable for a car that is both acceptably economical and pleasantly refined for its segment.