Review - 2008 Honda Fit
We’re on the Road, in the 2008 Honda Fit
The Good: Great Economy class ride with some good comfort and convenience features, surprisingly large (and versatile) interior space (back seat and rear cargo area), and good fuel economy.
The Bad: Road noise and acceleration.
Overall: The legendary nameplate turns out another winner in the class. This car won’t Fit everyone, but for those looking for a solid sub-compact, it is worthy!
We’re on the Road, in the 2008 Honda Fit
The FIT is Honda’s entry level sub-compact initially introduced for 2007, and this year it’s much the same car continuing nice surprises in several areas. The choices in the sub-compact segment have never been so great, Kia has the Rio, Scion has the sporty xA, and Chevrolet the Aveo. The Fit is a unique looking little car, with nice design elements, very versatile storage space and agile handling.
Powertrain: 1.5-Liter 16-valve SOHC VTEC 4-Cylinder Engine. The 2008 Honda Fit powertrain delivers performance with good fuel economy and low emissions. The Fit has a standard 1.5-liter, SOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder VTEC engine, outputting 109 horsepower; it’s available with either a 5-speed manual transmission (standard) or a 5-speed automatic transmission (available). The engine uses Honda’s Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) systems.
Transmission: The Fit’s engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission (standard) or a 5-speed automatic transmission (available). The 5-speed automatic transmission is a first for the Fit worldwide, and it is a first for the segment. Fit’s 5-speed automatic transmission also offers a unique steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifter system on the Fit Sport, enhancing the driving experience. In manual mode, the transmission will hold the selected gear until another one is selected.
Safety
The FIT scored best marks in Government Front, Driver and passenger as well as side driver tests. Rear passenger tests were three out of five stars, it also scored well (4 out of 5) rollover rating. While receiving good marks also from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety for frontal impact and side offset tests. The Fit features 3 point seat belts for all positions, with automatic tensioning system upfront, a solid compliment of airbags (dual-stage dual threshold front airbags (SRS)), Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Side Impact Door Beams, Child Proof Rear Door locks, Immobilizer Theft Deterrent System as well as other features to keep you safe, in event of an accident. Also find great visibility from behind the wheel of Honda’s Fit.
Driving Impressions
The Fit offers stable and agile handling. Road noise can be somewhat pronounced on highways. Thanks to the front MacPherson Struts, the ride is supple but sometimes choppy. The fit is not big on power, but it’s a fair trade (up) for stellar MPG. It has decent power. Steering is power assisted Rack-and-Pinion, and is direct with little oversteer, and good feedback. Exterior fit and finish are okay.
The Way You Feel Inside
Jump into the Fit!! The Fit cabin is clean and boasts simple friendly controls. Honda’s blue backlit gauge cluster creates a nice hue across the mostly analogue (with the exception of mileage, which is digital) gauge cluster. Interior styling is clean, simple and build quality is good, inline with the category. Being a big music buff, I love the stereo, the CD player that allows for MP3/Windows Media Audio discs. Also pleasing to the ear is the SVC (Speed Sensitive Volume Control), which discretely adjusts the volume based on noise; it usually operates very discreetly. There’s also an MP3/Aux input jack for your iPod or other audio device! That should satisfy your appetite for audio options!
The Fit has a good list of standard features, they include: 4 Speaker AM/FM radio with CD, 1.5 liter 4 cylinder 109 horsepower, Front-wheel drive, 2-wheel disc brakes, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, 14” Tires, Head protection Air Bags, Side air bags, Bucket seats, Upgraded cloth/velour seats, courtesy lights, vanity mirrors, clock, power locks, plastic steering wheel with aux controls and tilt, air conditioning, rear window defogger and intermittent wiper, power windows, power mirrors and more.
The Fit Sport adds: 6 speakers, 15” tires, Roof spoiler, Cruise control, Fog lights, Alarm, Keyless entry, Leather covered steering wheel with aux controls and tilt.
Stowage
The FIT is stow ready, with the most versatile space in the category! This area really separates the Fit from the competition! Check the way the rear seats fold (down and up). Though it’s relatively small space the designers have MAXIMIZED it. The rear seats fold up to allow for wider tall boxes to fit, (in the Fit). Fold the rear seats up for 21.3 (cu. ft.) fold ‘em down for 41.9 (cu. ft.), pretty good stowage space for this class vehicle, good for the weekend adventure seeker or small family tripper. By comparison, a mid sized sedan could have 11 – 20 cubic feet of trunk space, so this stowage is pretty good!
By the Numbers
2008 Honda Fit Warranty
- Bumper-To-Bumper Warranty (years/miles) = 3/36,000
- Powertrain Warranty (years/miles) = 5/60,000
- Corrosion Warranty (years/miles) = 5/unlimited
- Emissions Warranty (years/miles) =
- Federal: 3/36,000 and:
- 8/80,000 (specified major emission control components)
- California: 3/50,000 and:
- 7 /70,000 (specified high cost emission control components)
By the new 2008 fuel rating the Fit Sport-5 Speed Automatic is rated at 27 city / 33 highway, and we averaged 30.6 MPG on regular fuel, combined (city and highway) driving.
Honda Fit sticker price & EPA ratings:
Transmission MSRP EPA City /Hwy
Fit
5 Speed Manual $13,950. 28/34
5 Speed Automatic $14,750 27/34
Fit Sport
5 Speed Manual $15,270 28/34
5 Speed Automatic $16,070 27/33