2007 Honda Fit

Unpretentiously able

James M. Flammang / autoMedia.com

Small cars were almost counted out a few years back. Gasoline was still comparatively cheap. SUVs promised utility mixed with glamour. Sporty road behavior seemed to draw more customers than high gas-mileage figures. Then came a new wave of fuel price hikes, which escalated in early 2006. Not unlike the reaction that occurred more than three decades ago, in the wake of the first "fuel crisis" of 1973-74, sensibly sized cars have started to look good again.

Styling

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, a wave of subcompacts from Japan and Europe lured shoppers away from the Detroit behemoths. Now the Japanese brands have taken the lead again, with three brand-new models reaching showroom floors this spring. Honda, Toyota, and Nissan subcompacts join such econocars as the Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio, and Hyundai Accent. Don't expect a rock-bottom price, though. Honda is competing in the "premium entry-level" market rather than at the low-budget end of the subcompact price spectrum.

Honda's new entrant, the curiously named Fit, is a five-door subcompact hatchback that has already demonstrated strong popularity in Japan and Europe, where it's called the Honda Jazz. Principal rivals include the new Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris, as well as the Chevrolet Cobalt and perhaps the larger Dodge Caliber.

Even in standard trim, the Fit is abundantly equipped. Power windows, mirrors and door locks are standard, along with air conditioning and a four-speaker CD stereo system. Six airbags are installed in every Fit, including front side-impact and side-curtain airbags. Some competitors offer antilock brakes as an option, but ABS is standard on the Fit. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with 5-speed automatic only) are installed on the Fit Sport model, which also adds an underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lamps, security system with remote entry, cruise control, six-speaker premium 200-watt audio system, and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Interior

Measuring 157.4 inches long overall, on a 96.5-inch wheelbase, the Fit is 19 inches shorter than Honda's Civic sedan. Cargo space beneath the rear hatch totals 21.3 cubic feet. Unlike some smaller cars, the five-passenger Fit promises a "traditional upright seating position" that should enhance its appeal to slightly older shoppers. Three seating modes are possible: utility, tall, and refresh. The rear seatback folds forward without removing the headrests, back-seat bottoms can flip upward to carry taller items, or front seats can recline flush with the rear seats—just right for relaxing.