Detroit Auto Show: 2007 Honda Fit

...and most of us are VERY disappointed by the EPA mileage estimates!

But if you compare the fuel efficiency of the Fit versus its closest competitors (Chevrolet Aveo and Kia Rio5), the Fit is definitely superior to these two cars. Not to mention the fact the Fit's five-speed automatic will be vastly superior to the four-speed automatics used on the Aveo and Rio5, too.

Yes the MPG figures are very disappointing compared to what this car (already in production around the world ) gets everywhere else but the USA where they downgraded the transmission to a 5 spd from a CVT. They took an amazing car and made it mediocre. Who really cares about Chevy or Hyundai -this is Honda they sre supposed to be the BEST and they chose to make this less of a car for the US market than they are already making to be in the rest of the world!

Something like 36/41 would be a lot happier to me!

Didn't Honda figure out that if you make a tiny car, at least give it decent size tires like the Mini? I mean, those are bicycle tires from Pete's sake! What a joke.

with all the recent news about the EPA changing it's evaluation standards, i wonder if the ratings for the fit come from the new rating system; that would explain a lower than expected mileage rating, and it would also mean that you could do better; as i always seem to have done with hondas...

The proportions are out of whack. What a ugly little car.

The low mpg figures are not due to the new epa standards, the new standards would not adjust the highway mpg all the way down to 38. We need to punish Honda and not buy it or the 40 mpg civic.

well,
the engine is astonishing in attempt to tweak the IC engine even further thru incremental technologies.
http://asia.vtec.net/Series/FitJazz/lseries/index.html
**a central problem here my uninformed friends is that EPA gas mileage ratings are not done by the EPA. the figures are submitted by the manufacturers using an EPA protocol. i looked up user figures for honda cars and found that their submitted EPA figures matched their user figures.
most of the US companies are LYING to you. got it?
grow up.
**oh yeah, why are the EPA numbers almost universally wrong?
because EPA set it up to make it easy for the car manufacturers to meet goverment mandated fuel efficiency standards.
the EPA and the manufacturers cheat.
welcome to the real world. any of you guys want to save freedom and democracy and join our armed forces?

Having lived in Japan for the last six years, and owning a first year production Fit, I think most will be surprised at its quality. If Honda America builds them anything like the Japanese then the Fit will be a huge successs. Several things are an issue but nothing that would deter me from purchasing a new US version.
 
Currently the "A" pillar presents somewhat of a blind spot that can at times prove a real hazard. Despite the fact that the small triangular glass exists it isn't all that functional unless you are a short individual and can see straight thru.
 
Most of the automatic transmissions, especially on the 1.3L models here are "slippery". High RPM's on hills are evident when trying to maintain speed and it seems as though the engine does the "wave" with motor revolutions.
 
With all that said the positive points by far outweigh any negative ones. Many companies in Japan have been hard at work developing and testing performance parts and aftermarket accesories to make this little car quite the little powerhouse.
 
At the most recent Tokyo Auto Salon several versions of the Fit were on display. One of which was lighter version of the Mugen Fit Dynamite. The Fit D-Spec, which can be viewed on the Mugen website, is supposed to be released as a production vehicle in the coming year, but nothing official has been released as to the timeframe and the cost of the vehicle. The vehicle itself incorporates a 1.5L VTEC engine with a Mugen developed supercharger designed to create roughly 150 hp.
 
Other variations, specifically from Top Fuel Japan, included a turbo charged 1.5L that created 205 hp and 170lbs of torque. Other variations of the Fit were on display but none specifically stood out in the crowd. It will be interesting to see how the Fit does for first year sales.

i got my new Fit last week. what a beautifully made little car! It easily cruises on the California freeways at 70 to 80 mph. The only problem is it's tall and light so it is more affected by wind but it is a delight to drive and I expect many years of happy driving.

I purchased a base model Fit, with auto tranny, on April 25th, after doing extensive comparisons, of small cars, for about 6 months.
 
I prefer the cleaner look of the base trim. The car is loaded, except for (oddly-enough) cruise control. I've driven extensively (city) for the past week, and still have a quarter tank of gas. The salesman said I may see mileage figures, as high as 38-42 mpg. Time will tell.
 
This vehicle is simply one of the coolest auto designs in recent years. The look is different, but response has been positive from other people, who've noticed it. It does get noticed, especially by Honda drivers.
I am unaware of being in a small car when driving it. Very comfortable, quiet, responsive, and versatile.
 
If the mileage is only 33-38mpg, it still is an awesome value. Mine set me back 15,200k., which is incredible, for as good a car, as it seems to be.
 
I will post firmer mpg figures, in a couple of months.
Supposedly the Euro-spec cars, can tow an 800lb. trailer. Still waiting to hear something definitive from the dealership about that.
 
Has anyone heard about towing capacity, for U.S. vehicles?
Regards

I've tried hard to love the styling. But, you can't deny that it looks a lot like the Chevy Aveo. That's too bad. I drove one and it's pretty comfortable, but that S-automatic paddle shifter is a gimmic. It's pretty annoying. And, the engine was a little too buzzy for my taste. For the guy who complained about the scrawny tires: have you seen the slalom speeds this car does? I'd take the economy of the smaller tires with their performance over looks any day.