WR TV: 2015 Honda Fit

Honda’s venerable hatchback sees big changes for 2015. How big? How about a new platform, new engine and transmissions, and a new look. The new 5-door is 1.6 inches shorter than the outgoing model, but also weighs in at 100 pounds more, due to more substantial use of high-strength steel in its construction, which provides significantly bolstered chassis rigidity for added safety and improved handling. Despite its shrinking dimensions, the Fit’s new platform actually expands on both front and rear passenger space dramatically.

 

A new suspension design allowed engineers to move the rear seats nearly 5 inches farther away from the front, netting rear legroom that now exceeds the generous amount offered in the Accord sedan. The tradeoff is a drop in cargo space, which goes from the 21 cubic feet found in the 2014 model to 17 cubic feet, turning a former segment leader into a mid-pack runner.

 

Powered by a 1.5-liter, direct injected four cylinder motor making 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque (increases over 2014 of 13hp and 8 foot-pounds over the outgoing model) the Fit is capable of hitting 60mph from rest in a fairly brisk 8.5 seconds. Our tester is fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, and while we enjoyed rowing our own gears, we did note that the clutch was less receptive to being hustled than we would have liked. But enough with the exposition, let’s get this new Fit out on the street: