This weekend was my first time in our 2009 Honda Fit Sport and in addition to its ultra-light shifter I was pleased with its awesome visibility -- an important feature for a small car, I think. No, not its visibility to other drivers. How can you miss that searing orange? (BTW one passer-by actually told me that "my car" was ugly.) Rather both the Fit's front view and rear view present a near panoramic picture of the surrounding environment (difficult to capture on camera, sorry!). This made me confident enough to squirt in and out of traffic as well as cross busy intersections where all I got is a stop sign.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 4,564 miles
altimadude00 says:
02:47 PM, 03/30/09
Try doing that in the Challenger or 370Z!
Windows FTW!
hondacura4 says:
02:59 PM, 03/30/09
"(BTW one passer-by actually told me that "my car" was ugly.)"
It was probably CX7lover. =)
jaeger1 says:
03:20 PM, 03/30/09
LOL - no doubt cx7lover will pop in to comment on the "ridiculously excessive" visibility or some such.
The pic pretty much says it all - those little A-pillar windows really aid visibility in a big way.
brn says:
03:21 PM, 03/30/09
"an important feature for a small car"
An important feature for any car. It's something that I think has been getting far worse over the last decade or so. CUVs are getting particularly bad that way.
joefrompa says:
04:12 PM, 03/30/09
IIRC, the old mid 90's Acura Integra for known for some huge amount of degrees of visibility (i.e. 310 degrees or something), due to using high-strength steel in the a-pillars and careful overall construction to maximize visibility.
I love cars that have an upright seating position and great visibility. While I like to drive relaxed in my seat, visibility is never overrated.
billt9 says:
04:44 PM, 03/30/09
The Mazda CX-7 actually has these front triangle windows too, large 4-sided windows behind the C pillars, and a dipping rear windshield.
Not to be confused with the cx7lover.
church123 says:
05:14 PM, 03/30/09
I just can't believe that someone would take the time to go out of their way to tell someone that their car was ugly. Smacks of an overinflated sense of self-importance and a bitterness born of an intense hatred for their own sorry existence.
stovt001 says:
05:52 PM, 03/30/09
Agreed with church123.
Honda is still generally pretty good at visibility, but they have also gotten worse over time, just not as bad as everyone else. Styling is the driving force behind the industry now, and while it is nice to have good looking, uniquely styled cars, some of the sacrifices we have to make for that are annoying.
billt9 says:
06:09 PM, 03/30/09
I think the visibility problems these days are more due to the 2.5x Weight+ roof crush requirement than styling.
Usually what's blocking my view are the mega pillars.
stovt001 says:
07:23 PM, 03/30/09
At the same time, the "pill box bunker" look is big these days, adding to the minimization of the greenhouse.
dougtheeng says:
06:13 AM, 03/31/09
"I just can't believe that someone would take the time to go out of their way to tell someone that their car was ugly"
Agreed! I can see walking up to someone to compliment their car, but a random "your car is ugly" is pretty rude.
Large windows is one reason I like my MINI. Sure its small and relatively low down, but there is a ton of glass in the greenhouse and visibility is excellent.
creeper says:
07:57 AM, 03/31/09
as much visibility as those a-pillar windows add, the actual pillar takes away. can't believe that you're second in line and can't see if a pedestrian is entering the crosswalk or standing at the corner for that matter. saftey for the occupant, not the public
crystalfivemt says:
09:46 AM, 03/31/09
As for the Integra visibility, I don't think you're correct JoefromPA. (by the way I don't see u much in TOV these days)
I had a 94 Integra Coupe and the FORWARD visibility was exceptional, kindof like an NSX where the road is almost on your lap. Plus the slim A pillars completed the effect. But the high rear and upswept rear windows hindered visibility back there.
As for the ugly comment...when I read that I then looked at the editor's name and as I suspected, it was a female. Meaning I bet no one would say that to a male in fear of a confrontation.
Shame on that insecure cretan for going out of their way to try and put someone down.
foxtrot685 says:
12:43 PM, 03/31/09
i cant wait to read about the 2010 honda fit inside line is going to buy!!!!!
txmatt1 says:
01:08 PM, 03/31/09
@ foxtrot685 - I can only assume you're being sarcastic. If so, why come here and waste your time if you don't wanna see more Fit reviews? Just like the person in the blog post who thought the Fit was ugly and made a point to tell the author: if you don't like it, don't buy it (or read about it).
And since the 2010 Fit won't be an all-new redesign like the '09 is, I don't think you'll be seeing a Long Term 2010 Fit here. I bet a 2010 Insight (somewhat based on the Fit) will be coming, though. :)
dgs4 says:
10:09 PM, 03/31/09
I wonder what kind of vehicle the idiot was driving who commented on the Fit being "ugly?" My gut instinct says either an SUV or a pickup truck.
These updates are kind of neat, as they just confirm everything I already know as an owner: the better than EPA gas mileage, the incredible view of the world from the driver seat, the 117 hp engine that feels surprisingly more peppy than the hp number would suggest, and the excellent fit and finish of this small, "economy" car. Yep, Honda has a winner.
I would like to see a moonroof option, a 6-speed manual transmission to keep the revs down on the highway, and rear disk brakes instead of drums on the next model update, but otherwise for the price, the car is perfect.