2009 Honda Fit Sport

How much does it cost? The test example in the driveway this week is a 2009 Honda Fit Sport, the mid-level model in a three-tier lineup. The 2009 Honda Fit Sport is priced at $16,060 and comes with a smooth 117-horsepower four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, and power windows, mirrors, and locks. The Sport is a step up from the $14,550 Fit base model, its higher price justified by alloy wheels, some aero body trim, a rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, a security system with keyless remote entry, and cruise control. The Fit Sport also has an upgraded six-speaker CD audio system with a five-mode equalizer and USB iPod interface. The only other model is the 2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navigation. It’s priced at $17,910 and includes the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and a 6.5-inch dashboard screen; it’s also the only Fit with Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist antiskid system. These prices are for Fits with manual transmission. A five-speed automatic adds $800 to the base model and $850 to the Sports; the extra $50 is because Sports get steering-wheel paddle shifters for manual gear selection. To all these prices, add Honda’s $670.00 destination fee.

Is it worth it? Yes. You could buy the 2009 Honda Fit Sport just to enjoy driving it. Combined city/highway EPA fuel economy of 29 mpg – just 3 mpg shy of best in class – is bonus, as is this little wagon’s remarkable ability to carry four adults or 57.3-cubic-feet of cargo with the rear seat folded. You’d have to look to the Mini Cooper for a gas-miser that’s as enticing from behind the wheel, but the comparably sized Mini Cooper Clubman starts around $20,000.     

What’s to like? A precision feel to the steering, powertrain, dashboard controls, even the way the doors shut, makes you believe the 2009 Honda Fit Sport was engineered and assembled with a sense of pride out of proportion to its low price. Every component seems matched to its purpose. Not one horsepower or ounce of sheet metal seems wasted. It’s one of the rare cars that invites you to use all of it, whether to zing the high-tech engine to its red line, turn quickly into a corner, or simply load up its airy cabin. The dashboard is an architect’s delight, the seats firm and supportive. And there are 10, count ‘em, 10 cupholders.    

What does it need? It’s amazing how much fine handling the 2009 Honda Fit Sport gets out of a solid rear axle and modest 185/55R16 tires, so we can’t say the extra cost of an independent rear suspension or larger tires would be justified. But the 2009 Honda Fit Sport does deserve the enhanced stopping performance of rear disc brakes instead of drums. And the added security of Vehicle Stability Assist should not be exclusive to the costliest model.

What’s Honda’s opinion? “The Fit is designed to lead the subcompact segment with a quality feel and a multi-functional interior.”

What do you say? This is the small, light car that could change your mind about small, light cars. It’s sufficiently composed and solid so you shouldn’t feel intimidated on the highway. And its versatility, fun-to-drive nature, and Honda quality are there to be appreciated every single day. If you do take the 2009 Honda Fit plunge, consider a Sport version. Their extra features are worth the higher price.   

Vital statistics
2009 Honda Fit Sport

• Base price: $16,060

• Price of test car including $670 destination fee: $16,730

• Size: 161.6 inches long, 98.4-inch wheelbase, 2,489-pound base curb weight

• Engine: 117-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder; front-wheel drive

• Fuel economy: 27 mpg city/ 33 highway (EPA ratings)

• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5/60,000 powertrain

• Safety ratings (versus similarly sized cars) on government’s five-star scale: Frontal crash protection, five stars. Side crash protection, not yet rated.  

Automotive journalist Chuck Giametta has covered the auto industry for more than 20 years as a newspaper reporter, Executive Auto Editor of Consumer Guide books and magazines, and as Managing Editor of Iguida.com. This test vehicle was provided by the manufacturer.