2009 Honda Fit - Consumer Opinions

The 2009 Honda Fit is priced significantly higher than most of its small-car competitors, but it feels much more substantial from behind the wheel, with a firm but well-controlled ride and better steering and handling than most inexpensive small vehicles.

The automatic transmission in the Fit has five speeds—one more than the competition—which helps bring good performance and fuel economy, along with relaxed highway cruising.

The Fit’s engine also lacks the fatigue-inducing boominess and coarseness at high-rev acceleration or higher cruising speeds that most of these rivals have.

Anti-lock brakes, which are standard on the Fit, are optional or not available on many of its competitors.

Among these competitors, all but the Rio5 have a softer ride than the Fit, but it doesn’t necessarily bring more ride comfort; the Rio5 handles quite well but isn’t as comfortable at high speeds, and the Versa rides and handles like a larger, heavier car, lacking the Fit’s nimble feel.

And none of these models match the Fit’s cargo or back-seat space.

The xD, with its taller body and boxier appearance, is perhaps the most direct competitor to the Fit, but the materials used inside the Scion feel cheaper and there’s not nearly as much cargo space or seating space in back.