By
LATEST ARTICLE
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, 2012 Hyundai Azera Earn Top Safety Ratings
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, and the 2012 Hyundai Azera—both recently redesigned... Read More
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, 2012 Hyundai Azera Earn Top Safety Ratings
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, and the 2012 Hyundai Azera—both recently redesigned... Read More
- #8LEADERBOARD RANK
- 2340ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
- 95COMMENTS POSTED
493 views
For couples with a new baby, for smaller families in urban areas, or for larger suburban families who need a second vehicle with serious versatility, the Honda Fit does everything that a much larger vehicle could. We love its 'mini minivan' layout and so-called Magic Seat in back, which maximizes space and can be reconfigured in more ways than hatchback seats typically can. And its safety ratings have been quite good. In addition to all of this, the Fit is relatively fun to drive and there's very little to find fault with. That's why the little Fit scores a family-friendly 8 out of 10 here at FamilyCarGuide.
Overall, the Fit has so much interior (and cargo) space that you might forget that you're in such a small car, and you might feel the need to step back and do a double-take once you connect the roomy interior to the city-friendly exterior. The Fit is less than 162 inches long, 67 inches wide, and has a wheelbase of about 98 inches, which makes it extremely easy to park and maneuver. The cargo floor is lower than most other hatchbacks, and the seats can be arranged in several cargo-friendly positions beyond only flipping the seatbacks forward. With the front wheel removed, there's enough space for a bike inside, and enough height in the cabin to move a stroller (or something like a large potted plant). With upper and lower gloveboxes, plenty of cupholders, and center console cubbies, there are plenty of places to store small items, too.
Given all this utility and versatility, it's a little surprising that the Fit drives like a nimble, sporty small car. Its 117-hp, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is sprightly with the manual gearbox and quick enough with the automatic, and it has a nimble, tossable feel around tight city streets yet feels stable enough for a comfortable 80-mph highway cruise.
The 2011 Fit has a pretty good feature set, too. The base model includes items like air conditioning and power windows, and the Fit Sport comes with cruise, keyless entry, and USB connectivity, but Bluetooth and satellite radio are sorely missing from the lineup.
For more, see The Car Connection's full review of the 2011 Honda Fit.
