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2009 Honda Fit Preview
Sep 08 2008 by Lori Hindman
9/8/08
New '09 is a Good Fit
Honda offered yours truly (and a bunch of other journalists) a chance to preview the 2009 Fit at L.A.’s fabulous Getty Villa, a place renowned for its world-class collection of antiquities. The ancient villa only served to accentuate all that’s new and amazing about Honda’s newest baby.
Because the first-generation Fit was a success, the new one hasn’t changed too much. Instead, Honda added features to an already pretty cool little car. The new Fit is slightly bigger, adding more legroom in the backseat. There’s a new driver position that gives better visibility, which is great. The Fit seems really open, which makes it really easy to be aware of your surroundings; I don’t know how they do that without a sunroof, but they do. All that open air also makes the Fit seem bigger than it is.
The new Fit has a bunch of cool luxury features that usually aren’t offered in this price range. In the Sport model, paddle shifters and audio controls have been added to the leather-wrapped steering wheel. A new USB interface allows easy use of iPods and other MP3 devices in addition to the auxiliary input jack that comes standard, but satellite radio isn’t available. There’s also a Navigation Package that comes with an electronic stability system to help keep you on the road. Honda also revamped the air conditioning system to provide better cooling to the backseat. Told ya it’s cool.
Driving the 2009 Honda Fit was no sacrifice; I fit comfortably in the seat. The engine was perky enough, but it revved really hard going uphill. I must have asked more of the engine than it was willing or able to give. Everything about this car fit my hopes and expectations. Now I’m just looking forward to fitting an extended test into my family’s schedule.
User Comments
I ordered mine a month ago, also sight unseen (in BLUE)and can’t wait for it to arrive…my first brand new car in 20 years! (almost bought a used ‘07 Fit and am sooo glad the salesman talked me into ordering the new ‘09 model)
Michael,
I got to drive it! Oh what a fun little car. It’s so roomy inside too. The seats are really great and my friend loves it. The dash is my favorite part, with blue lighting at night. Very slick.
Looks sharp too! I’m sure you’ll love it.
What about the ride? Does it seem bumpy? When I test drove a Fit, that’s the way it seemed to me. I’m used to an old Corolla. Any comments?
Eileen,
The Fit’s suspension is more sport tuned than cushy comfy like most Toyota’s. Honda seems to like to make cars with lots of road feedback. I personally like this, and find that I fall asleep without it!
This generation is better than the outgoing, but it is still no Camry/Corolla/Caddilac.
It’s all about what you want out of a car 
.
When is that Fit test coming???
I got a 2007 Honda Fit brand new and LOVE it! I was originally going to buy a newer Civic to replace my 1997 Civic and they didn’t have any available at the price I wanted. The salesman asked if I wanted to look at the new Honda Fit and I was like ehhhh - didn’t know anything about the car and it looked weird to me. But once the salesman showed me how the back seats go into the floor, I was immediately won over. I have never regretted my purchase at all. I wouldn’t mind if my husband bought a Fit for himself, but with a second child on the way, we probably should have at least one big car in the household. But I’ll never give up my baby!
My wife and I almost bought a Toyota Matrix but bought a 2009 Honda Fit after reading the Honda Fit review at http://www.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com and were sold. We’ve had it 4 days have 350 miles in it already averaging 35mpg. There’s a cool real time Miles Per Gallon meter on the speedometer that constantly lets us know who we’re doing no gas mileage.
I think the additional A/C system had really made it a lot cooler! The A/C evaporator and other stuff on the system should have been thought over and over in order to come with a really quality one.
Cute!
My best friend should be getting her’s this week. She bought it sight unseen and it’s blue. Like me, she also wanted something smaller and more efficient, so this will replace her Odyssey.
I can’t wait to drive it. It looks fun just sitting there.
I want to be invited to Honda events! Lucky you!