All Fit models get wheel upgrades; DX and LX models are now mounted on 15-inch wheels instead of 14, while the Sport gets 16-inchers. Automatic Fits lose their spare tire in favour of a repair kit and compressor in order to save weight (8 kilograms, or about 17 pounds). Honda claims this switch is now common in Europe and could very well find its way into other models in the near future.

Fuel consumption is virtually unchanged for the Fit when equipped with the manual gearbox, but the gain is noticeable in automatic-equipped Fits: the combined average drops from 6.8 to 6.4 L/100 km. We saw 6.1 on the trip computer's fuel economy meter.

A few laps around a closed circuit alongside two key competitors--the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris--quickly revealed the Fit's superior fun-to-drive factor. The revised steering has a quicker ratio, which makes the car very manoeuvrable.

Improved comfort
The driver now gets more space for his or her left foot, which was one of the previous Fit's shortcomings. The seats are more comfortable and more supportive than before, and there is now an armrest for the driver.

There are now two gloveboxes, and in Sport models, the top one is where you'll find the sound system's new USB port. It would've been nice to include this feature across the board, as it's a cheap and quick way to get countless hours of music in a car.

A new storage point is found underneath the seat cushion.

Rear-seat passengers benefit from increased head and knee room, while a new storage point is found underneath the seat cushion. The rear-seat headrests are now better integrated into the seatbacks, which is good for two reasons; the rear seats can fold down flat despite the front ones being in their rearmost position, and rear visibility is improved. There is now no less than 10 cup and bottle holders, which seems exaggerated to us.

Conclusion
An evolution more than a revolution, the 2009 Honda Fit is an improved product that positions itself better against rival subcompacts. Honda expects to sell 20,000 Fits in 2009, which is all they can build for Canada right now.

Pricing for the 2009 Fit is about the same as the 2008, ranging from $14,980 to $20,480. However, an interesting addition to the line-up is the DX-A, which is a base model with air conditioning. So, you can now get your hands on an A/C-equipped Fit for $16,280, or $1,100 less than the LX.

More comfortable, more fuel-efficient, more striking styling, the Fit subcompact is ready to make its mark in a category that will grow rapidly within the next few years.


Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux