2015 Honda Fit EX-L Navi

More than 10 years ago, Honda introduced the most spacious and versatile sub-compact car to the world, called the Fit, simply because it was small enough to fit in any parking spot but also big enough to fit anything you throw at it.

In its third generation now, the 2015 Honda Fit still manages to hold on to its original virtues, while adding modern technology and high safety standards to its cup of tea. It remains affordable too, as you can get one for as little as $14,495. As you keep upping the trim level though, it can end up being quite pricey, as our top of the line EX-L Navi 6-MT was $21,375 ($22,675 if you want the CVT).

For the money, at least you get a good looking little car that also happens to be an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Standard features on the fully loaded model are six airbags, stability control with hill start assist, antilock brakes with front and rear disk brakes, 16″ alloy wheels, LED taillights, leather steering wheel and shifter, leather seats, heated front seats, trip computer, cruise control, automatic climate control, navigation with HDMI and USB inputs, bluetooth connectivity, sunroof, LaneWatch blind spot camera, rear view camera, a pretty good sound system, keyless entry with start button and automatic lights.

From the outside, the new Fit looks smaller than the outgoing model, and in fact, it is. The wheelbase on the other hand has been stretched a bit creating even more room inside. 470L is the default trunk space, without even touching the one motion rear folding seats. Folding them down lets you feel free to shove in half of your local IKEA store. Accommodation in the back is spacious and comfortable for adults of any height, proving that the Fit still is the roomiest tiny car. Even rear facing baby seats are easy to put in and with room for a stroller in the trunk, mommies should really have a look at this one. Speaking about mommies, perhaps this might ring a bell; the front seats can recline and join the rear seats creating chaise lounges so you can …read a book.

The front seats are also very comfortable and with the large glass surfaces around, visibility is great. The dashboard is a good blend of modern vs functional. The instrument cluster has been kept simple but nicely complemented by stylistic touches, while the main console is a bit fancier with blackout style air con controls and a high tech touch screen. Some soft to the touch materials have been used on the passenger side making the dash nicer to feel, while fit and finish will satisfy even the harshest critics.

New for 2015 is also the spirited motor under the hood. The new direct injection 1.5L 4-cylinder belongs to the EarthDreams family and is capable of delivering 130 HP and 114 lb-ft of torque. Mated to the 6-speed manual, it can be driven smoothly to match or even beat the estimated fuel consumption figures (8.1 City, 6.4 Highway, 7.3 Combined) or can be worked hard to get some descent performance out of it. 0-100km/h comes in 9.9” but even quicker than that comes some harshness and resentful loudness from the engine when pushed that hard. The clutch is soft and linear and the shifter doesn’t feel as rubbery as in the past so there is no real reason to fork out the additional $1,300 for the CVT.

Apart from the decent power, versatile and roomy cabin and modern technology, the Fit is a very easy car to drive. The chassis delivers loud and clear messages regarding its road holding abilities and will never catch the driver by surprise. As speed increases, so does the lean in the corners and the tendency to understeer, so unless you are really foolish, there is nothing to fear. The steering is quick and direct but is very light and feels kind of disconnected, but that is still better than what you get in most super-minis. Being small and nimble is where all the excitement comes from and the ability to squeeze in and make progress in traffic is remarkable and fun. And here is the the third reason the name Fit is a perfect choice; pulling-in in front of entitled selfish pricks that think the road is all theirs causes them to have a major FIT. Ha!

The MacPherson strut front suspension is a bit softer than the torsion-beam rear, so when on a light load, the Fit bounces over most bumps with adequate finesse, but when heavily loaded, the read can produce quite a shock hitting ridges or falling into deeper pot holes. Overall though, the ride is soft and refined, thanks to the well put together interior and good sound insulation.

Having an affordable little car, that is also practical and very usable on a daily basis were Honda’s intentions when they were releasing the Fit. In its latest generation, it seems to have improved in every single area without any major drawbacks. The better trim levels can get pricey and that is about everything that can go wrong with a Fit. Oh, and if you tick the box next to the CVT.