2018 Honda Fit – Test Drive, Review, Ratings, Spec

The Fit is a Lean Cut Off the Honda Lot

The Honda Fit is all about sticking to the basics without compromise. Well, note completely, but for the everyday city hustlers, it might as well just be a the perfect “fit”. Our past experience with the Fit didn’t ring any excitement alarms, but for 2018, the 5-d00r hatchback promises sportier looks, enhanced driving dynamics, and even brings in new driver-assisted technology including Collision Mitigation Braking™ (CMBS™) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM).

For this year’s iteration, the Fit receives upgraded exterior design treatment including a more aggressive front and rear fascia and sophisticated two-piece chrome/piano back front grille, and a more modernized wheel design pattern. The chassis is also extended by an addition 1.4″ in length for the LX, EX, and EX-L model while the new and more exclusive Sport model adds 0.4″. This gets you additional legroom in the cabin space and especially prominent in the rear seating area.

Though deemed as a subcompact, the design almost spawns a class of its own- “micro-van” might be better choice of words. No, it doesn’t have 7 seats, but its bubble up rear section and flat-line rooftop s.silhouette does best describes its shape. For added flavouring, the Honda Fit comes with detailed 16″ rims, rear roof line spoiler, lower round foglights and a series of flamboyant colors to choose from to help convince entry level buyers that an affordable car can still be considered cool. Cool indeed, but it’s not the only one of its kind on today’s competitive auto market. The Mazda CX-3, Fiat 500, Volkswagen Golf and Kia Rio comes to mind when thinking of alternative options for a 5-door hatchback. But unlike the bunch, the Fit’s form factor, spaciousness and amazing fuel economy is difficult to beat – at 7.6L/100km average.

At its entry level price point of $19,590 for our Sport tester model, I don’t have high expectation for the interior, but the soft-touch cloth seats, and comfortable grip on the steering wheel certainly surprised me in a good way. Still, I would have hoped they would have squeezed in leather and power adjustable seats for what you’re paying. To get that, you’ll have to buy your way into the highest EX-L Navigation model that will set you back for an additional $4,500.

Despite its shallow interior decor, the front row seats offers a plethora of free space, and rear seating provides a comfortable amount of leg and headroom especially thanks to the box-like chassis structure. The folding 60/40 split rear seats helps take advantage of its roominess for added versatility.

All-Around Driving

The Honda Fit sticks to the basics with a direct-injection 1.5L 4 cylinder engine producing 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. Choice of transmission is offered in the form of a 6-speed manual or CVT. And as much as I despise CVT’s due to its lack of driving enthusiasm and its obnoxious sound, the one in our tester actually felt quite nice with very linear power output and surprisingly, a natural engine tone.

Off the line, acceleration actually feels very capable despite its miniature engine. Road composure and obedience with quick cornering is to be given respect for, but its higher center of gravity and basic suspensions doesn’t bring it into the performance category. Nevertheless, there’s still a factor of fun driving I would give for the Honda Fit. A 6-speed manual transmission also raises the legitimacy of that statement as proven in our Sport tester model.

A fair bit of wind and road noise gets leaked into the cabin space, but there was still measure taken to help insulate some of that noise. Suspensions do an OK job at keeping the vehicle stable, but you’re not going to get a smooth sailor here. Nevertheless, for its value category, I don’t have too much to complain in terms of what you’re paying for

Speaking of which, the Honda Fit costs as little as $15,190 for the lowest DX model. The LX model throws in heated front seats and HondaLink infotainment system. The EX model is where the fun begins with leather seats, blind spot detection, rear view camera and available moonroof option. Our Sport tester model comes priced in at $195490. For that amount of money, there isn’t much to expect for when shopping for brand new. I’m a bit disappointed that the 6 speed manual transmission isn’t offered in the EX+ model though. But even with that said, its versatility, awesome fuel economy, and a decent cabin space is more than enough to satisfy my daily needs on a tight budget.

Specifications

Vehicle : 2018 Honda Fit
Model : Honda Fit
Price as Tested : $19,590
Vehicle Type : Subcompact
Seating Capacity : 2+3
Powertrain Configuration : FWD
Engine : 1.5L V4 Direct INjection
Transmission : 6 Speed Manual Transmission (As Tested)
Fuel Economy: 7.1/6.3/6.8 L/ 100KM City/Highway/Combined

Pros

Excellent use of interior cabin room
Magic Seats offer great versatility with various ways of folding up the rear seats for added cargo space
Great fuel economy
Affordable Price tag
Decent interior finishing