THE Honda Fit has earned a respectable reputation, with claims of being "the most left-brain vehicle in the segment" and "the smartest B-segment hatchback ever"(both of which are undeniably accurate).
Take a good, long, hard look at the vehicle(s) travelling beside or near you; one of them may be a Honda Fit. It is the official vehicle of Zimbabwe.
More than five million have been sold across the globe, attesting to the model's unquestionable utilitarian appeal, but Honda has made efforts to increase the model's emotional appeal by improving its aesthetics, performance, and technology.
The Honda Fit blends a practical and technological approach with a strategic posture, since it competes in the B-segment while providing great fuel economy thanks to its hybrid architecture.
For a short time, I commuted to work in a 2017 Honda Fit e-CVT Hybrid.
The demo car I drove was sleek and high-tech, with 16-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch full-TFT instrument cluster, an Apple CarPlay/Android Auto-compatible 9-inch touchscreen, and two USB ports.
The Honda Fit is not perfect. There is no perfect vehicle but if you are shopping for a fun vehicle, it is definitely worth another look.
Design
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The 2017 Honda Fit is a competitive alternative to the segment's established leaders.
With the rear seats folded down, cargo capacity increases to 1,199 litres from the standard 298 litres. One of my favourite features is Honda's rear "Magic Seat" configuration.
The back seats may be flipped up or folded flat to accommodate long items or flat packages.
Inside, there is not much that could be called a flaw. Its dashboard and doors are both luxurious and straightforward in design. It is great to see that the internal technology has not slowed down at all and that the building itself is built to last.
The Hybrid is the pinnacle of the Fit series, so it naturally incorporates the most cutting-edge safety technology. This includes heated seats, adaptive cruise control, and other proactive measures.
My test vehicle had a length of 4 043 millimetres (mm). It had a width of 1 694 mm and a height of 1 537 mm. With a wheelbase of 2 530 mm and clever packing, the cabin seems much larger than it really is.
Throughout the trip, I felt perfectly at ease in the driver's seat, and my colleagues were able to stretch out and take it easy in the back seat.
The trunk easily accommodated three medium-sized, soft suitcases in addition to two laptop bags. The price may seem high for such a little vehicle, but the inside is surprisingly roomy.
Performance
The next step is behind-the-wheel practice. My test Honda Fit has a combined 80 kW and 253 Nm of torque from its 1.5i DOHC i-VTEC gas engine and electric motor.
After the CR-Z was terminated in 2016, the Fit was Honda's effort to keep hybrid technology alive.
It can run on electric power alone, in a hybrid configuration that maximises both power and efficiency, or on its internal combustion engine alone for highway cruising.
Despite my mixed feelings against CVTs in general, I have no complaints about the e-CVT's smooth shifting and overall elegance.
Its power delivery is adequate; however, the engine revs more than typical compared to other CVTs due to its accelerative design.
In my perspective, the Honda Fit has excellent highway performance and even performs well on less-maintained rural roads. Some wind and tyre noise enter the vehicle at highway speeds, but it is not awful enough to make me miserable.
Running expenses and reliability
If you care about fuel economy and practicality but cannot bring yourself to spend about US$10 000 on a Hybrid grey import, consider the Honda Fit Hybrid.
There are perhaps even more affordable superminis, but I really doubt they can beat the 2,8 litres per 100 km I achieved on a journey to Pretoria.
In contrast to the manufacturer's claimed fuel economy of 3,7 l/100 km, our week-long test averaged 4,2 l/100 km.
My decision
From what I have observed, the Honda Fit is still a favourite among first-time car buyers and retirees looking to downsize.
Not that this is a bad thing, as where else might you go to get honest recommendations on how to save costs?
The Honda Fit Hybrid is a hit with consumers of all ages because of its innovative styling, powerful performance, exceptional fuel efficiency, and cutting-edge safety and technology features.
The hybrid's sticker price may be more than that of a conventional vehicle, but when you factor in the money you will save over many years, the choice becomes clear.
What if? Do you find that the new Honda Fit fulfills your needs?
Given how little we have interacted, I would have to agree. The HEV's claimed fuel economy of 3,70 L/100km is enticing due to the vehicle's continued utility, the delivery of quality components manufactured in Japan, and the improvement in driving comfort it provides.
The Honda Fit has a lot going for it. It gets excellent gas mileage, handles corners deftly, and is enjoyable to drive for a cheap hatchback.
However, it suffers from a lack of power, poor stopping ability, and significant road noise but probably is the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Specifications
Bore x Stroke: (73.0 X 94.0) mm
Compression ratio: 13.5
Engine capacity: 1,496 cc
Engine type: 4-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC
Fuel consumption: 31.4 km/L
Fuel Tank Capacity: 40L
Fuel type: Petrol-Electric
Power: 100kW (134 bhp)
Torque: 134 Nm
Transmission: 7-Speed DCT (A)
andrew@muzamhindo.com.
