2009 Honda Fit: What's Inside Counts

Our last post gave you the rundown on what's so special about the 2009 Honda Fit. For one thing, it's hard to find anything wrong with the second-generation city car

Instrument panel follows a flowing—yet very functional—form, with plenty of storage cubbies, well-positioned vents, and controls angled slightly toward the driver. The base of the windshield is far ahead, yet combined with the high seating position and low beltline, outward visibility is great.

Double glovebox can hide all your electronics and personal items out of sight. There’s space for a small purse in the upper one.

The steering wheel now adds telescopic adjustment, a much-needed improvement; pedal placement is still too close for taller drivers.

The front seats in the Fit Sport were firm and supportive—provided you’re on the smaller side of average. This lanky 6’-6” driver found nowhere to rest his knee, which could bring fatigue on a long highway drive. But an armrest? An unexpected surprise on a car in this class!

Integrated, retractable rear headrests never need to be removed (and possibly be lost) to fold the seat down.

Grab handles now retract with a damped, smooth motion rather than poke outward.

One of few disappointments: Put my knee down to fold the seat forward, and the cardboard cargo floor flexed downward ominously.

Anchoring for the rear seatbelts pretty much bisects the rearmost side window.

Just one easy lift of this lever and a gentle push forward is all it takes to fold the seat forward. The lower cushion repositions itself automatically. No more sliding the front seats forward, tilting the lower cushions forward, pulling clunky mechanisms, folding, then wedging the front seats back.

Fit Sport with Navigation comes with voice-activated functions plus steering-wheel audio controls. And oddly, it’s the way to get electronic stability control.

Gauge cluster gets the same deep-dish look that the entire Honda and Acura line has been given recently.

Chunky climate control knobs—as most of the Fit’s switchgear—have a sturdy feel and flank the navi screen or audio system. The only disappointment here is below the A/C button, where the recirculation lever looks and feels as if it were lifted from a long-lost parts bin.

Little front side window gets its own defroster vent…though it’s not really in the field of vision for most driving or parking maneuvers.

Character creases that run through the grille and hood bring more complexity to the front-end design. 2009 Honda Fit SportEnlarge PhotoOur last post gave you the rundown on what's so special about the 2009 Honda Fit. For one thing, it's hard to find anything wrong with the second-generation city car 2009 Honda FitEnlarge Photo Instrument panel follows a flowing—yet very functional—form, with plenty of storage cubbies, well-positioned vents, and controls angled slightly toward the driver. The base of the windshield is far ahead, yet combined with the high seating position and low beltline, outward visibility is great. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge Photo Double glovebox can hide all your electronics and personal items out of sight. There’s space for a small purse in the upper one. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge Photo The steering wheel now adds telescopic adjustment, a much-needed improvement; pedal placement is still too close for taller drivers. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge Photo The front seats in the Fit Sport were firm and supportive—provided you’re on the smaller side of average. This lanky 6’-6” driver found nowhere to rest his knee, which could bring fatigue on a long highway drive. But an armrest? An unexpected surprise on a car in this class! 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoIntegrated, retractable rear headrests never need to be removed (and possibly be lost) to fold the seat down. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoGrab handles now retract with a damped, smooth motion rather than poke outward. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoOne of few disappointments: Put my knee down to fold the seat forward, and the cardboard cargo floor flexed downward ominously. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoAnchoring for the rear seatbelts pretty much bisects the rearmost side window. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoJust one easy lift of this lever and a gentle push forward is all it takes to fold the seat forward. The lower cushion repositions itself automatically. No more sliding the front seats forward, tilting the lower cushions forward, pulling clunky mechanisms, folding, then wedging the front seats back. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoFit Sport with Navigation comes with voice-activated functions plus steering-wheel audio controls. And oddly, it’s the way to get electronic stability control. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoGauge cluster gets the same deep-dish look that the entire Honda and Acura line has been given recently. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoChunky climate control knobs—as most of the Fit’s switchgear—have a sturdy feel and flank the navi screen or audio system. The only disappointment here is below the A/C button, where the recirculation lever looks and feels as if it were lifted from a long-lost parts bin. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoLittle front side window gets its own defroster vent…though it’s not really in the field of vision for most driving or parking maneuvers. 2009 Honda FitEnlarge PhotoCharacter creases that run through the grille and hood bring more complexity to the front-end design.