2010 Honda Fit
Practical And Fun To Drive.
Introduction | Interior / Walk-Around | Driving Impressions | Summary
WALK-AROUND
The Fit has always been considered modern, though few people would have called the original, 2007-08 model stylish. That changed with the 2009 edition, thanks to a new look that's both functional and attractive, with sharply styled headlights, larger front quarter windows and a more aerodynamic contour.
Additional design changes for 2009 included a wider stance, more aggressive fender flares and sharper character lines along the side.
This revised styling, which carries over unchanged for 2010, makes the Fit arguably the most appealing small car in its class, avoiding some of the quirks found on competitors such as the Scion xD; while improving the practical nature of the car, e.g. outward visibility.
INTERIOR
Since it debuted for 2007, what's inside the Fit has been perhaps its most talked about feature, both good and bad. Case in point: While the seats adjusted into a multitude of handy configurations, the quality of the materials left many wanting.
But along with all the other changes last year, Honda improved critical elements of the interior, while leaving the awesome utility of the little car mostly intact. To begin, the new model sits taller and wider, providing slightly more room for passengers.
The Fit got new front seats as well. All materials feel more ample and durable, and the center stack layout is among the easiest, most intuitively placed schemes we've seen in some time. The large knobs that control the environmental settings curve around the stereo controls on the driver's side, making the design stylish and easy to reach, though the plastic controls still feel a bit thin to the touch.
Other high points of the new interior are the in-dash cupholders and split glovebox, though both upper and lower compartments are too small to be of much use. Even with all these revisions, the best thing about the Fit hasn't changed much: Magic Seats. No, they won't transport you like George Jetson or Aladdin, but Honda's Magic Seats do move in a number of ways, from folding flat for utility to flipping up for tall objects. There's even a storage compartment under the seats for small items.
Interior room ranges from almost-spacious in front to adequate in back, especially for a car this size. Surprisingly, the latest Fit offers slightly more cargo volume than even the 50.4 cubic feet of the versatile Nissan Versa.
Overall, the Fit feels large inside, thanks to its expansive greenhouse and new seats. Visibility from the driver's seat is excellent. (The side mirrors are 30 percent larger than those on the previous model.) The most noticeable difference is up front, where a broader front windshield and close-up seating improve sightlines and feel for the road. Slender roof pillars front and rear minimize blind spots and create a more airy feel to the cabin.
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