2009 Honda Fit Sport: Ergonomic Error

seems like an afterthought.

Not a big deal but very awkward especially for Honda.

The space is filled with a readout for the automatic.

The gauges in the Fit look pretty good on a different note

VW puts theirs on the steering wheel, which works well too.

Honda puts it on the dash in the Civic. Maybe this is a cost saving thing.

It is in the exact same spot on my 2002 CR-V. It even looks like the same button.

The Fit does have an instantaneous MPG meter. It's in the same little redout as the trip computer, and it shows up as a little horizontal bar graph showing instant MPG. It really seems better than something that flashes silly changing numbers constantly. The empty space by the fuel gauge is used for gear selection with the auto fit, and that's why it looks so empty in the manual-equipped cars.

I will admit I can't see how this is a failure worth mentioning.

I hate the name Fit. What's so fit about this car other than the fact that it's a litter box with wheels? I won't mind it so much if it was named Fat (or Phat) instead.

My 2004 Accord is the same way. A royal PITA to access while driving.

@hybris "I will admit I can't see how this is a failure worth mentioning."

I will admit to the same. While not disputing that the adjustment switch could be better placed, this hardly seems worthy of the sole discussion point of a blog entry, much less one ominously titled "Ergonomic Error". It's one, little freakin' switch, for crying out loud - and not even one of the primary controls.

@ jaeger1

What do you want to bet some designer at Honda is reading this and forwarding the link to a bean counter somewhere in the bowels of their offices, going "SEE!!!! We should have just run the wire a little farther and put a switch somewhere else on the dash like I suggested, but you said 'No'."

Because you know its someone's job to take even this little switch seriously. And they sort of screwed up.

I also don't think this is an ergonomic error. It's easily seen and reached and it's operation feels very expensive.

Chalk up another red mark on Edmund's credibility rating. It really looks like they're looking for anything to criticize just for the sake of writing something.

my parent's '86 chevy had a button there to reset the odometer. Many Asian cars still use this type of design and I don't know why. It was bad in the 80s and its bad now.

Are Hondas really great in ergonomics? I have my doubts after sitting in the Fit and 2009 Pilot in which some buttons are down near the center console.

"I will admit to the same. While not disputing that the adjustment switch could be better placed, this hardly seems worthy of the sole discussion point of a blog entry, much less one ominously titled "Ergonomic Error". It's one, little freakin' switch, for crying out loud - and not even one of the primary controls."

Your complaint could be applied to 90% of the negative blog entries here. If the cars aren't breaking down this is what they can complain about. I guess you missed the nitpikcing on the Aura, CTS, Focus, etc.

Before my Fit, I had a 86 VW Cabriolet. To reset the clock, not only were the buttons in the same place, but they required a pencil, pen, knitting needle or other pointy object to depress the buttons.

One should not be fiddling with such things while driving. And at a stop, access is slightly awkward. SLIGHTLY awkward.

I can only wish all the other parts in the car were slightly awkward to access, the parts that require a mechanic at my dealership to install.

I can just see it now...

Using the remote option, the hood rises on it's own power, with music accompaniment, while an intense beam of light shines on the engine (I like Ride of the Valkeries).

The computer zooms in on the engine, locates defective part. The mechanic then rises from his throne (a comformatic 2000, with heat and massage), walks over to the car, gives the defective part the evil eye, turns the big knob that attaches the part to the car (created by Fisher Price) and removes the part.

What else is an ergonomic error in the Fit?

Taking a sponge bath is difficult.

Juggling chainsaws problematic.

Setting up uneven parallel bars impossible.

"Chalk up another red mark on Edmund's credibility rating. It really looks like they're looking for anything to criticize just for the sake of writing something."

I completely agree, many of IL's staff seem to think that criticizing is the only course in journalism. I wish they had a bit more diversity of thought - we'd receive better blogs and articles.

@super_onguy: You must've failed your litter box training. You're supposed to do that on the (recently departed) Ford Focus instead.

@ chrystalfivemt and yellowmiata,

Evidently, you both weren't paying attention when I praised the Fit just last month on several fronts: http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/08/2009-honda-fit-sport-three-days-three-scenarios-five-thumbs.html

We are automotive critics, it is our job to point out things that don't work, be they major or minor. And as indicated in the link above, to also point out those that do.

@chrystalfivemt,
"...easily reached." Are you kidding? If you have to reach through or behind the steering wheel, then it's not "easily reached".

@stephen: I actually like the Focus. Not sure if they do in the States, but they come in all sorts of ricer flavors in various parts of the world. Just the other day I nearly crashed into one because a stupid ricer installed a clear cover for the rear break light instead of factory installed red ones. I love them Focuses (or is it Foci?) because ricers can actually die in some of them. Honda Fit? Not sure... I doubt if anyone can die in them even if they try to, unless it gets run over by a bigger vehicle.

The Honda Insight has three buttons on the steering wheel explicitly for this task. It is much easier to use but then again there are more screens to navigate through since it is a hybrid (real time mpg, moving average, throttle/brake input, miles to empty, IMA flowpath, etc.)

@johnnyturbo, where did I say that you or Edmund's doesn't ever praise or approve a car?

As a journalist you should be clear, especially when writing a short log such as this. In this case, you should've stressed that this criticism or observation is a minor one and shouldn't be counted as a major flaw in the car's design.

And as far as easily reached...you're telling me with your arm stretched out you're having trouble reaching the knob? That's what "easily reached" means. There's a gaping hole through the steering wheel that allows you to reach the knob.

How about praising the knob for its expensive fluid-feeling action? How about praising Honda for making it accessible unlike in some other cars where you can't find it in the first place?

@chrystal...
-- From your post: "It really looks like they're looking for anything to criticize just for the sake of writing something." I interpret that as you saying we only look for criticisms.

-- Re-read the post. I never called this a "major flaw." I presented how it it operated in clear terms.

-- I don't know about you, but I'm not comfortable sticking my arm through the steering wheel while driving. I'd much rather press a button on the side of the dash or center stack.

-- As I stated before, I've praised the Fit in the past (see my response with the link).

It would help if you prefaced the log with saying that it's not an end-of-the-world issue.

Also, if you're a journalist, how come you can't spell my screen name correctly?

all of this were critics this is what we do BS is a little lame. the little reset switch in my integra was in pretty much the same place and i never had a problem. as with my malibu. if you really have a problem with that little tiny button enough that youll never use it while youre driving.. dont drive because its not that hard to learn forward and reach around the wheel..