The Fit strikes a pose, backed by the windmills of Palm Springs.
Our spunky Honda Fit got a chance to stretch its legs on a recent road trip, traveling south to that gaudy bit of desert tinsel known as Palm Springs. It proved to be a fun companion -- as we've noted before, the engine gets clamorous at high revs, but the car's pleasantly frisky spirit more than made up for this shortcoming during the journey. Mileage was outstanding -- the Honda averaged 35.7 miles per gallon over a total of 230 mostly highway miles.
One of my fave things about the Fit has got to be its nav system. The system is easy to use -- entering locations is a cinch. It's also pleasant to experience, especially as far as its vocal reminders are concerned. In other cars I've driven, these reminders can be strident and excessive, with each upcoming turn preceded by a hailstorm of grating admonishments. Not so with the Fit. Its nav system delivers just enough reminders to inform without annoying, and the nav lady's voice sounds mellow, not shrill.
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 15,643 miles
hurls65 says:
04:20 PM, 11/19/09
I'm a big fan of the fit...
but that mileage for "mostly highway" doesn't seem all that "outstanding". I mean, it's far from anything to sneeze at...but...I guess it's not that long-legged and more set up for city MPG (if IRC, it does much better than the civic in the city but worse on the freeway).
As a data point, I'm basically the opposite of a hypermiler, but routinely get ~29 mpg on "mostly highway" socal road trips in an E46 wagon... and used to get over 30 in a saab 9-5 -- both around 18 MPG on surface streets/city though...
Sounds like the fit could use a sixth gear... if it has enough torque to handle that...
stephen987 says:
04:49 PM, 11/19/09
@hurls65: I drive a manual Fit on a daily basis. You're correct--the manual version isn't really set up for highway mpg, and a six-speed would be really welcome on those trips. It is optimised for urban/suburban driving with a ceiling of about 65 mph. The automatic has much longer legs for highway travel, but it feels anemic to me in town.
The real genius of the Fit from my point of view is that the fuel economy is essentially the same (35-38 mpg in my case) whether I'm on the freeway or in the stop and go of my daily commute.
zoomzoom22 says:
07:16 PM, 11/19/09
So the Insight averages 40mpg, the Fit around 35.
But, the Fit, although cheaper, feels more substantial, expensive, fun to drive, quick, etc...the list goes on. And, it isn't ugly like the Insight (which only looks good from the front).
I have to wonder if Honda considered that its Fit would steal sales from the Insight. I would personally never take an Insight over the Fit.
siarizona says:
08:41 PM, 11/19/09
I have an 09 Fit Sport 5 speed, and have 14500 miles in 8 months. On a daily basis, I have a 12 mile commute, of which 10 is on the highway at 70-80 mph. During the week, including that commute, I normally average about 33mpg. I drive medium-fast, above average, and like to use the upper ranges of the rpm to maximize my hp per lb ratio to get ahead of the average commuter.
I also have an 1100 mile round trip weekend commute about 1-2 times per month, and normally drive 75-85 mph (10 mph over speed limit). I normally get 32 mpg on those trips.
Overall, I like my fit, mainly due to the fact that I have a medium-sized dog and appreciate a four-door hatchback that gets good mpg. However, when I bought the car, I didn't know I'd be doing the 1100 mile road trips. The Fit is not the best road-tripper due to its lack of torque. However, I normally have no problem maintaining speed, as long as I plan my passes and occasionally exceed my 10 mph over the speed limit to keep my average speed up.
If I could go back in time, I'd have bough the VW Jetta TDI for its torque and good gas mileage, in addition to its planted, solid road feel on the highway.
clarkma5 says:
12:18 AM, 11/20/09
Why don't they put the Fit's engine (maybe with a auto-shutoff capability for fuel saving?) into a non-hybrid Insight bodyshell and get a car that's cheaper, more fun, less complicated, lighter, and offers similar mileage to the Insight? Why oh why? What's with all these stupid batteries and hybrid badges??
efinils2 says:
06:04 AM, 11/20/09
clarkma5,
Agreed...or even better, bring the excellent Honda diesel from their European line-up. The VW TDI gets 41MPG on the hwy and owns any car in its class with its torque.
stephen987 says:
06:55 AM, 11/20/09
Agreed, siarizona. While the Fit is better than one might expect on the highway, it is clearly not the distance cruiser that a TDI Sportwagon is. Even the automatic, which significantly tames the revs on the Fit, doesn't turn it into anything more than "acceptable" for the long road trip, while the TDI is very much at home on the interstate.
gbear2 says:
09:21 AM, 11/20/09
In connection with the Fit vs. Insight discussion, I've never driven a Fit (but have owned 2 Honda Civics, the Crx, an Integra so I have no doubt I would like it).
I really enjoy my current car, the Insight- and here's a post on this topic from somewhat on the Insight Forum:
jrlnc
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Jamestown, NC
Posts: 81
Exclamation I've owned 2 Honda Fits before my 2010 Insight
I really loved the Fit for what it is - a small, very smartly-designed economy car.
Both Fits were manual transmission Sport models
2007 Fit ~37.4 mpg after 54,000 miles
2009 Fit ~38.1 mpg after 10,000 miles
2010 Insight 48.7 mpg after 5,000 miles
That gives you a fair gas mileage comparison of the same driver/route/conditions over a fairly long period of time.
The reasons I went with the Insight over my second Fit:
* The front seat is more comfortable for me
* Better fuel economy
* More luxury/upscale feature
* Quieter!
* Smoother riding
* Easier to drive (auto CVT vs Manual)
* More "adult" looking. Though the Fit is cute, it is a bit dorky-looking and when someone who is fifty-something pulls up in a Fit it can evoke giggles/smiles.
* The climate control on the Insight is way better than the manual a/c on the Fit
btw, on my first Fit, after 54k miles I think the clutch was just fine. I've had Honda m/t's before past 90k on the original clutch. I don't know how long they would normally last.
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Old 07-16-2009, 04:32 AM #14 (permalink)
athens says:
10:24 AM, 11/21/09
Unless those blades are connected to a gearset that grinds (mills) a substance - I believe the correct name for the device is a "Wind Turbine" not "Wind Mill"
eric19446 says:
04:52 AM, 12/ 1/09
I drive an '09 fit and although I will agree that the fit is more of a secondary road car than a highway hauler you appreciate the highway revs when you have a hill to climb or need to pass. A sixth gear would have everyone complaining about the need to downshift if you need to climb a long stretch of upgrade or pass someone you have the power to do it.
So for all of the folks considering the fit underpowered and over revved. You pass me on the highway and I'll pass you at the pumps and on the curves.
Peace.