Consumer Reports - Feb 2012 Issue
#1
01-01-2012, 09:48 AM
Consumer Reports - Feb 2012 Issue
Look for this issue!! It highlights the Fit for "Most Bang for the Buck"! Lowest cost per mile - $0.44/mile, outstanding reliability, very good road test scores - the highest value score in CR's analysis.
To think I was so close to buying a Fiat 500 or Ford Fiesta based solely in getting friends employee discount!!
To think I was so close to buying a Fiat 500 or Ford Fiesta based solely in getting friends employee discount!!
#2
01-01-2012, 10:05 AM
Road Test
Sport 4-cyl MT
The Fit seems roomier on the inside than you might expect, with an interior that is unusually versatile and flexible. It has easy cabin access and a panoramic view out. It also comes well equipped and has comfortable seating. Lightness and agility make it fun to drive, the powertrain is smooth and willing, and fuel economy is enviable. Road noise is pronounced, though, and the ride is a little choppy, especially in the Sport version. For 2011, ESC is standard.
The Driving Experience
The Fit swallows the odd road bump well enough, but rough roads provoke short, choppy motions. Even the highway ride feels busy, more so in the Sport. The cabin is never quite free of road noise. That, plus some engine hum, can grow a little tiresome. Quick, direct steering and very little body lean aid the Fit's eager cornering abilities. The Base version handles a bit less crisply, and its smaller tires provide a little less cornering grip. The Fit wagged its tail somewhat in our avoidance maneuver but remained ultimately secure. ESC is standard for 2011.
The 118-horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers quick takeoffs but doesn't brim with power. Either transmission is a good choice. The easy-shifting five-speed manual adds sportiness, and the smooth, responsive, five-speed automatic is more relaxed with lower engine speed on the highway. Expect 33 mpg overall with the manual shifter and 30 mpg with the automatic, using regular fuel. Braking is very good overall. The headlights' low beams give insufficient forward illumination. The high beams project farther but are dimmer close in.
Inside The Cabin
Cheap, hard plastics trim the otherwise stylish interior. Although the panels fit well, some have sharp edges and mold flash. The Sport has nicer seat fabric. The 2009 redesign greatly improved the driving position and added a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel. There is plenty of head, knee, and leg room, and despite a lack of seat-height adjustments, short drivers can still see out well. Visibility is also helped by large windows and mirrors. Front seats are well-shaped and comfortable, although the cushion provides too little thigh support for tall people. Also, many drivers found the head restraint to be too close. The rear is roomy, and it's comfortable for two adults though very tight for three. Accessing the seats is easy in front and rear.
The gauges are clear, and most controls are easy to use, but they come with a few quirks. The steering wheel hides the large climate-control knobs. The radio has an unusual volume-and-tune knob that's a little confusing at first. The climate system is basic but works well. Several small bins provide modest cabin storage. The cargo area is roomy, and one or both rear seatbacks can be easily folded down flat to accommodate more cargo. Or you can fold the rear-seat cushions up against the seatbacks, creating a space that resembles a second trunk.
Safety Notes
Seatback-mounted side-impact air bags and curtain head-protection air bags -- deploying to protect front- and rear-outboard occupants -- are standard in the Fit. They supplement required front-impact air bags and three-point seatbelts for all seats. Front-row seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors for a more comfortable and safe fit, and are equipped with pretensioners to reduce belt slack in the event of a crash. The passenger sensing system is designed to detect if the occupant is too small or not sitting in the seat properly, and will disable the front air bag for that seating position. There are also sensors in the seatback that detect passenger height and position; the system will disable the side air bag if there is a child or small occupant leaning into the side air bag deployment path.
There are adjustable and locking head restraints in all five seating positions. The Fit is equipped with active front head restraints, which move upward and forward in response to the occupant's pressure on the seatback; this further reduces head travel and whiplash injury. Even when they're fully lowered, the front head restraints are still tall enough to provide sufficient protection from rearward head travel for most passengers. The rear-seat head restraints must be raised to adequately protect taller passengers. Daytime running lights are standard.
Driving with kids: Some rear-facing infant seat bases may be difficult to secure in the rear outboard seats using the seatbelts since the belts are anchored forward of the seatback. Alternate models or installation using LATCH should provide a secure fit. Rear-facing seats may also be difficult to secure in the rear-center seat. There are LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats; they're recessed and firmly nestled against the seatback cushion, making them difficult to access. There are top-tether strap anchors for each of the rear outboard seats on the seatbacks; the anchor for the rear-center seat is on the cargo area ceiling.
Reliability
We expect reliability to be much better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.
Tested model: 2009 Sport 4-door hatchback, 1.5-liter Four, 5-speed manual
Major options: None.
This road test applies to the current model year of this vehicle.
Sport 4-cyl MT
The Fit seems roomier on the inside than you might expect, with an interior that is unusually versatile and flexible. It has easy cabin access and a panoramic view out. It also comes well equipped and has comfortable seating. Lightness and agility make it fun to drive, the powertrain is smooth and willing, and fuel economy is enviable. Road noise is pronounced, though, and the ride is a little choppy, especially in the Sport version. For 2011, ESC is standard.
The Driving Experience
The Fit swallows the odd road bump well enough, but rough roads provoke short, choppy motions. Even the highway ride feels busy, more so in the Sport. The cabin is never quite free of road noise. That, plus some engine hum, can grow a little tiresome. Quick, direct steering and very little body lean aid the Fit's eager cornering abilities. The Base version handles a bit less crisply, and its smaller tires provide a little less cornering grip. The Fit wagged its tail somewhat in our avoidance maneuver but remained ultimately secure. ESC is standard for 2011.
The 118-horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers quick takeoffs but doesn't brim with power. Either transmission is a good choice. The easy-shifting five-speed manual adds sportiness, and the smooth, responsive, five-speed automatic is more relaxed with lower engine speed on the highway. Expect 33 mpg overall with the manual shifter and 30 mpg with the automatic, using regular fuel. Braking is very good overall. The headlights' low beams give insufficient forward illumination. The high beams project farther but are dimmer close in.
Inside The Cabin
Cheap, hard plastics trim the otherwise stylish interior. Although the panels fit well, some have sharp edges and mold flash. The Sport has nicer seat fabric. The 2009 redesign greatly improved the driving position and added a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel. There is plenty of head, knee, and leg room, and despite a lack of seat-height adjustments, short drivers can still see out well. Visibility is also helped by large windows and mirrors. Front seats are well-shaped and comfortable, although the cushion provides too little thigh support for tall people. Also, many drivers found the head restraint to be too close. The rear is roomy, and it's comfortable for two adults though very tight for three. Accessing the seats is easy in front and rear.
The gauges are clear, and most controls are easy to use, but they come with a few quirks. The steering wheel hides the large climate-control knobs. The radio has an unusual volume-and-tune knob that's a little confusing at first. The climate system is basic but works well. Several small bins provide modest cabin storage. The cargo area is roomy, and one or both rear seatbacks can be easily folded down flat to accommodate more cargo. Or you can fold the rear-seat cushions up against the seatbacks, creating a space that resembles a second trunk.
Safety Notes
Seatback-mounted side-impact air bags and curtain head-protection air bags -- deploying to protect front- and rear-outboard occupants -- are standard in the Fit. They supplement required front-impact air bags and three-point seatbelts for all seats. Front-row seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors for a more comfortable and safe fit, and are equipped with pretensioners to reduce belt slack in the event of a crash. The passenger sensing system is designed to detect if the occupant is too small or not sitting in the seat properly, and will disable the front air bag for that seating position. There are also sensors in the seatback that detect passenger height and position; the system will disable the side air bag if there is a child or small occupant leaning into the side air bag deployment path.
There are adjustable and locking head restraints in all five seating positions. The Fit is equipped with active front head restraints, which move upward and forward in response to the occupant's pressure on the seatback; this further reduces head travel and whiplash injury. Even when they're fully lowered, the front head restraints are still tall enough to provide sufficient protection from rearward head travel for most passengers. The rear-seat head restraints must be raised to adequately protect taller passengers. Daytime running lights are standard.
Driving with kids: Some rear-facing infant seat bases may be difficult to secure in the rear outboard seats using the seatbelts since the belts are anchored forward of the seatback. Alternate models or installation using LATCH should provide a secure fit. Rear-facing seats may also be difficult to secure in the rear-center seat. There are LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats; they're recessed and firmly nestled against the seatback cushion, making them difficult to access. There are top-tether strap anchors for each of the rear outboard seats on the seatbacks; the anchor for the rear-center seat is on the cargo area ceiling.
Reliability
We expect reliability to be much better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.
Tested model: 2009 Sport 4-door hatchback, 1.5-liter Four, 5-speed manual
Major options: None.
This road test applies to the current model year of this vehicle.
#3
01-01-2012, 10:34 AM
"The steering wheel hides the large climate-control knobs." ???? Which car were they in?
And 1/3 of that review focuses on safety? Geez Louise.
Still, good review.
And 1/3 of that review focuses on safety? Geez Louise.
Still, good review.
#4
01-01-2012, 10:35 AM
"The steering wheel hides the large climate-control knobs." ???? Which car were they in?
And 1/3 of that review focuses on safety? Geez Louise.
Still, good review.
And 1/3 of that review focuses on safety? Geez Louise.
Still, good review.
#6
01-01-2012, 10:42 AM
Even without all the praise, the Fit since before it was even in existence had better resale value than the other two would have any chance at having. Well, unless Honda was going to have a dud on its hands, which it doesn't. That should save you some money someday too.
#7
01-01-2012, 07:43 PM
Very cool news about 2012!
It was a Consumer Reports best value in 2011 as well. There's a short video at the link below as well.
Car value information from Consumer Reports
It was a Consumer Reports best value in 2011 as well. There's a short video at the link below as well.
Car value information from Consumer Reports
We think real value is getting a lot for your money. Small, affordable cars are often considered value choices, but again, the numbers don't always add up. At $16,000, the Honda Fit is the top value of more than 200 vehicles in our analysis; the similarly priced Chevrolet Aveo is the worst value in its class, with a low test score and below-average reliability. The difference in owner cost could be $3,000 over five years, the typical period most people keep their cars.
#9
01-02-2012, 05:21 PM
Me too. I wanted to get an '09 Fit, but I found it was only $1000 cheaper than a brand new one.
And I LOVE owning a brand new car! Never had before.
And I LOVE owning a brand new car! Never had before.
#10
01-03-2012, 02:06 AM
that used fit musta been over priced. i got my 09 with only 30k miles on it for like 7g cheaper than new.....that's one thing i noticed when shopping for a used fit - MAN they hold their resale value insanely well.
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