2006 NAIAS: 2007 Honda Fit

[Northstar]

Pics from Autoweek:

January 8, 2006 -- Detroit -- The all-new 2007 Honda Fit, a subcompact 5-door hatchback set to go on-sale in the U.S. in April, will make its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Already one of Honda's hottest selling models in Asia and Europe, the Fit is designed to enter the U.S. market as leader in the subcompact segment with top-of-class feature content, refinement, interior functionality, sporty driving demeanor and high levels of standard safety equipment.

Built on Honda's legendary foundation for dependability, quality and reliability, the Fit is a premium entry-level vehicle that emphasizes style, technology and value. The Fit features a 109 horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder VTEC engine, a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, first in segment, 5-speed automatic transmission, and over 90 cubic feet of passenger volume with multiple seating and cargo configurations. A Fit Sport model offers wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with automatic transmission) and a 160-watt, six-speaker audio system. Fit will be supported by a wide variety of Honda Genuine Accessories, including segment exclusive Honda Apple® iPod® Music Link®, allowing owners to personalize their Fits inside and out.

"The 2007 Fit provides a new entry point into Honda for consumers considering an attractive and efficient small car," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "The large interior adapts to people or cargo like no other car in its class. It comes standard-equipped with advanced safety technology, and follows in the tradition of Honda's fun-to-drive performance."

Unprecedented Subcompact Seating and Cargo Flexibility

Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides a surprisingly large passenger and cargo space for both maximum comfort and utility. At the foundation is the Fit's Magic Seat™, an innovative 60/40 split rear seat that allows the seatbacks to fold down or the seat bottoms to flip up, providing four distinct seating and cargo carrying configurations (refresh mode, tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode) in addition to the standard five passenger mode. With all seats in the upright position, passenger volume measures 90.1 cubic feet (slightly less than an Accord's passenger volume) with 21.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row (slightly less than an Element's cargo volume behind the second row). In order to help maximize Fit's useable interior space, Honda located the fuel tank in a central location towards the middle of the vehicle. This allows the cargo floor in the rear of Fit to be relatively low, thus increasing the interior volume.

Fun to Drive...Past the Pump

The 1.5-liter, SOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder VTEC engine generates 109 horsepower @ 5800 rpm and 105 foot-pounds of torque @ 4800 rpm. The compact and efficient powerplant features Honda's innovative Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC™).The VTEC system's ability to provide highly efficient operation at low engine speeds and extended performance at high engine speeds benefits fuel economy, power and low emissions.

Refinement is further enhanced with electronic Drive-by-Wire throttle control, which provides quick throttle response, smooth automatic transmission shifts (on automatic transmission models) and precise fuel delivery to the engine. Friction reducing technologies include roller bearing tipped rocker arms, a low friction timing chain tensioner, molydebenum coated piston skirts and an offset crankshaft/connecting rod design.

The suspension set up for the Fit is a combination of a front MacPherson strut/rear torsion beam with trailing arm.

The compact front suspension and rear torsion beam were both designed to allow for a large passenger cabin with a low floor to maximize the cargo carrying capacity.

Fit employs a compact, efficient and highly responsive Electric Power Steering (EPS) system that also contributes to higher fuel economy since engine power is not needed to operate a hydraulic system. The wheel size measures 14-inches with P175/65R14 tires, and 16-inch wheels with P205/45R16 are available as a dealer-installed option.

Estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings of 33/38 miles per gallon is expected to be among the highest ratings in the subcompact 5-door hatchback class. Emissions levels are rated as Low Emissions Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Tier 2 / Bin 5 by the Federal government.

Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment

Already a leader in vehicle safety as demonstrated by Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative, Honda continues to implement leading airbag technology in all vehicles regardless of size or price. The Fit has the most standard safety features in its class with no other subcompact offering as much standard advanced safety technology. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts, while front occupants are further protected by pre-tensioning seat belts. An enhanced knee bolster provides additional protection for passengers.

Standard active safety equipment includes anti-lock braking system (ABS) with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD).

Paddle Shifters, Audio Options Define High Content Sport Model

The Fit Sport model is the only subcompact to offer steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter controls (with automatic transmission). The Sport package includes underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry, cruise control, and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P195/55R15 tires.

The Fit Sport also features a premium 160-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, a five-mode equalizer, and an auxiliary audio jack for input from a portable music player.

Most Standard Subcompact Features, Segment Exclusive Accessories

Fit comes with standard amenities such as air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and a two-tone interior.

The 2007 Fit promises to be one of the most customizable vehicles from Honda with approximately 30 accessories available at the dealer. Fit will offer the Honda Apple® iPod® Music Link® as a dealer-installed accessory. The Honda iPod Music Link allows the user's iPod (sold separately) to fully interact with the audio system. A segment exclusive, Music Link will control all the iPod's features via the audio head unit with album/song information shown on the vehicle's audio unit LCD display. It will also charge the iPOD's battery.

Other interior accessories include an ambient lighting, trim panel accents (silver, red and blue), steering wheel covers and shift knobs. Outside, the Fit can be customized with Honda Factory Performance equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels, Sport package underbody kit, sport exhaust, chrome exhaust tip finisher, rear bumper accents and a sport mesh grille.

A consumer preview Web site for the Fit is available at fit.honda.com. Official pricing for the 2007 Honda Fit has not yet been determined.

[ToniCipriani]

My friend's family in Hong Kong test drove this when they were buying a car. He told me this thing is aluminum can quality.

[Satty]

I think that if it came down to this or an Aveo, I'd shoot myself.

[thegriffon]

"with 21.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row"

This is either a typo or they are measuring to the headliner. Capacity is roughly 12.3 cu-ft to the parcel shelf, as Honda in every other market says. The new Yaris data is also wrong. I estimate it has about 9.6 cu-ft in the SAE standard.

[pow]

I've seen quite a few, mostly uncamoed, driving around for the past two years.

Top Gear had a really interesting comparison test that included the Fit (Jazz); each of the presenters' mothers did the testing for these grannymobiles, which included a drag race, cargo loading, and a lap around their track.

[ocnblu]

The body-color headlamp housings, fancy rims, fascias, and rear spoiler look like a classic example of a quick update on an otherwise obviously dated product. Honda planners didn't read the tea leaves, or didn't care enough to bring something new to the emerging subcompact NA market... Nissan is guilty as well, with the Versa. It seems like Aveo may have caught rivals with their pants down.

[The O.C.]

It seems like Aveo may have caught rivals with their pants down.[/b]

Don't you bet it for a MINUTE. As we ALL have argued and ranted about, there's a TON of equity in the Honda name......like it or not......

The Fit will be a smashing success....

[Northstar]

I think the Fit will just steal lower-level Civic sales, as I suspect the Aveo has done to lower-level Cobalt sales.

The interior is about the same as the Civics, and the exterior doesn't look like an egg (though it's exactly attractive, at least it's distinct), so unless you hate how it looks, I see little to no reason to buy a Civic unless you want the Si.

[haypops]

I suspect that the 5 speed automatic transmission will be a tremedous advantage in this class of cars. The three koreans and the yaris will be hurting.

[thegriffon]

The lack of a sedan (strange since there is one) will hurt sales of the Fit. And yes, I don't think Honda expected a car like the Aveo to be such a success in NA or they would have brought in this exact same Fit years ago. If Toyota hadn't f—ed up so much with the Echo there would be a lot more of these B-segment compacts available already. Mitsubishi should be selling the Colt, VW the Fox and Ford the Fiesta. Instead Ford is doing a crash course in designing a B-segment car for North America, like Honda just playing catch up and hoping it won't be left too far behind.

[Sixty8panther]

Makes the Mini Cooper look like a 850i, but then again it's still better looking than a Scion Xa.

[siegen]

My friend's family in Hong Kong test drove this when they were buying a car. He told me this thing is aluminum can quality.

Good review.

[the_yellow_dart]

I didn't like the body coloured headlight surrounds on the C6, and definately don't like them here.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Blah. It's so awful.

The products Honda expects us to buy! The nerve of them sending this to the U.S. You know, I bet after one model generation, this will be history.

And, when it comes to engine power in the Fit, from the looks of it, I'd forget it. I bet a Geo Metro could go faster on the Interstate than this, stuck in first gear going up hill.

[The O.C.]

.......get ready for MT Car of the Year '07.......

[Northstar]

.......get ready for MT Car of the Year '07.......

Nah... that award has already been designated for the Camry.

[Paolino]

Nah... that award has already been designated for the Camry.

You have a very good point there.

[ToniCipriani]

Oh BTW, this thing is much bigger than the Aveo.

[thegriffon]

It is bigger, but not "much bigger". Much of the apparent size difference is purely because it wasn't originally designed for the US market and requires cosmetic modifications for low-sped crashes etc. It's not really any wider and has a shorter wheelbase. Shoulder room, hip room and rear legroom are not as good as the Aveo, but it does have a bigger cargo capacity (at least with the rear seat upright) - 353 L v 220 L (or about 12.3 cu-ft v 7.1 cu-ft.

[Dsuupr]

Not my kind of car (I think it looks Korean cheap), but a great idea for honda in todays high gas mileage market place.

[Sixty8panther]

Nah... that award has already been designated for the Camry.

SAD BUT TRUE!

[I hope GMRULES again]

I'm sure it will take sales away from the Civic. Honda Loyalists who are put off by the new Civic's goofy interior will choose to save a few grand and get this thing.

[RBB]

Personally, I prefer this version:

Source

-RBB

[Mule Bakersdozen LS]

Exterior-ugly-enough of the subcompact tall cars already! Nice looking dahsboard, sounds nice and well-equipped, roomy, and innovative otherwise. Now, what's aluminum can quality? Is that pre-1996 (model depending) tin can junkaroo quality, or is that better, modern aluminum can quality?

[siegen]

I really like this car. It will make a perfect replacement for my parent's aging Ford Escort (I'm getting tired of working on that pos).

I personally do like the styling, and the sport model adds quite a few minor touches here and there to improve on it. The body colored head lights are good looking in my opinion.

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

im kind of disapointed that honda only managed 33/38 from this car...

[siegen]

im kind of disapointed that honda only managed 33/38 from this car...

33/38 for the manual and 31/38 for the 5sp automatic is still good though. I would have liked to see the freeway mileage at least one or two points higher than the Civic, but this is a rather tall car (with an assumingly higher coefficient of friction from its aerodynamics, plus it doesn't weigh much less than the Civic). The city mileage is great, specially considering how many features this car has (and a hefty weight of 2551 lbs for the Sport model 5sp Auto, 2432 lbs for the base model 5sp Manual). In comparison, the Aveo only gets 26/35 for the 5sp Manual and 24/34 for the 4sp Auto (and it weighs 100 lbs+ less).

[Cory Wolfe]

Meh... it looked better on GT4. Those body colored headlights look terrible, though...

[G. David Felt]

This is FUGGLY! Edited January 21, 2006 by dfelt

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

In comparison, the Aveo only gets 26/35 for the 5sp Manual and 24/34 for the 4sp Auto (and it weighs 100 lbs+ less).

yes and i have ragged on the aveo for this, im just saying honda is usually pretty good at squeezing out mpg.