Specifications of Honda Fit IV (GR1) Crosstar 1.3 (98 HP) 4WD CVT
General characteristics of Honda Fit IV (GR1) Crosstar 1.3 (98 HP) 4WD CVT
A length of 161.4 inches and a width of 67 inches on the Fit means that despite its minivan-like appearance, it's only slightly larger than the Kia Rio 5's 160-inch length. It rides on a diminutive 99.6-inch wheelbase but puts the space to good use, with innovative packaging making it a more spacious subcompact than nearly every other rival. It's heavier than several segment competitors, however, with a curb weight ranging from 2,522 pounds to 2,648 lbs, depending on trim level and gearbox choice.
The Honda Fit offers a palette of seven colors, with last year's Helios Yellow cut from the options list. Interestingly, all trims get access to the full palette, but your choice is limited based on the transmission you select. The base model LX only offers two shades with the manual gearbox, Lunar Silver and Modern Steel, while equipping the CVT unlocks the additional five hues as standard. These additions include Aegean Blue, Milano Red, and Orange Fury as metallic options, while Platinum White and Crystal Black make up the Pearl tones. For us, Aegean Blue and Orange Fury are the better options, making the Fit look less minivan and more sultry hot-hatch.
The Honda Fit hatchback range employs a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine throughout all trim levels and the choice of two transmissions is available, depending on certain trims. The LX, Sport, and EX all come stock-fitted with a six-speed manual transmission with the option to spec the continuously variable transmission (CVT). In contrast, the top of the range EX-L comes with the CVT as standard and, unfortunately, no manual option is available for the premium trim. Power outputs vary between the two transmissions, and the CVT puts out a slightly lower 128 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque in comparison to the manual transmission's 130 hp and 114 lb-ft figures. The Fit is by no means a speedster, but it performs well on the daily commute with reasonable initial acceleration power. Prepare for a slight struggle on the highway, though, as passes and merging won't come effortlessly for the hatch. It's almost a no-brainer when it comes to choosing the better transmission, with the manual offering more power and less annoyance than the CVT - even if it comes at the expense of fuel economy.
When equipped with the CVT at the base level, the Fit is fantastic in terms of fuel economy. The LX will lightly sip on the gas and provide class-leading EPA estimates of 33/40/36 mpg city/highway/combined, matching these segment-best gas mileage figures with the Kia Rio. The Toyota Yaris is slightly behind the other two with EPA estimates of 32/40/35 mpg. Opting for the manual transmission will see a substantial drop in fuel economy with figures dropping to 29/26/31 mpg, so the less powerful and slightly noisy CVT might just be worth it. On upper trims, the CVT returns 31/36/33 mpg. The Fit plays host to a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, and, equipped with the manual transmission, you'll get around 330 miles on a full tank of gas, while the CVT-equipped LX will return an extra 50 miles.
The five-seater hatch is the king of capacity and offers a cavernous interior, with ample space available in the front and the back. An array of seating adjustments are available for both front and rear seats, while the second-row seats are Honda's appropriately named Magic Seats, offering unrivaled versatility and storage capability. This doesn't come at the expense of comfort, however, as both the front and rear seats are supportive, have ample adjustability, and will accommodate taller adults better than any other subcompact, thanks to a minimum of 37.5 inches of rear headroom and 39.3 inches of legroom, both improved upon in the front seats. The rear of the Fit boasts class-leading space and six-footers aren't likely to have a problem sitting comfortably for long distances.
The Honda Fit is an absolute champion in the space department and is no doubt a class-leader.
Dubbed the Magic Seat, the Honda's second row can transform into four different modes. Utility mode allows for 52.7 cubic feet of space when the second-row seats are folded, increasing from the basic 16.6-cube allotment, while Long mode can be used for transporting lengthier items by folding down the front passenger seat. The Tall mode makes up to four feet of vertical space available by removing head restraints and tipping up the rear seat bases, and the final and most notable mode of them all, Refresh Mode, folds the front seats back and reclines the rear seat for relaxation. Large door pockets and cupholders are found throughout the spacious hatch, making for ample in-cabin storage solutions, too.
