|
The Honda Fit is a subcompact car, sold as the “Jazz” in some markets. Affordable, lasting and backed by Honda’s rock solid quality standards, the Fit may just be the best “value” car on the market. For a subcompact car, the Honda Fit offers buyers a lot. Its fuel effective 1.5-liter 16-valve four cylinder engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Optionally, a five-speed automatic transmission is available and comes with dual-mode paddle shifters with the Honda Fit Sport model. This engine is rated at 117 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 106 foot-pounds of torque at 4,800 rpm. Ample Storage Capacity Powered by it is front wheels, the Honda Fit has sufficient room to seat five and provides plenteous storage capacity, exceptionally when the rear seat is folded down. This four-door hatchback is at once roomy and stylish, demonstrating why the Fit is a strong vendor in the ultra-competitive subcompact market. One Fit model that makes a lot of sense and is already on sale in Japan is the Fit Hybrid. Honda’s hybrid prowess rivals that of industry leader Toyota, but Honda has not been competent to match Toyota’s success thence far. Right now, the Insight and Civic Hybrid are the two hybrid models sold by Honda stateside. However, the Honda Fit Hybrid isn’t sold in America and the Japanese automaker has not said when or if the model might appear. That’s too bad as the Honda Fit Hybrid would be the smallest and perhaps the most fuel effective hybrid on the market. Currently, the Toyota Prius wins the fuel efficacy crown as it is rated at 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway. Inside Line Review What we know in regards to the Honda Fit Hybrid may be gleaned from passionate websites as well as in a conservatively written “Inside Line” overview published in October 2010. That review was based on a test drive of the Fit Hybrid in Japan, a car powered by the same 1.3-liter engine used in the Honda Insight. As the publication’s “first drive” review reported, the Fit Hybrid is 220 pounds heavier than the general model and likewise carries a $4,000 price premium. That puts the Fit Hybrid in $20,000 territory, a lot of $2,000 more than the Honda Insight. Pricing alone ought to explain why this subcompact hybrid won’t be crossing the Atlantic anytime soon. Honda doesn’t want to fabricate contest for it is Insight and the Fit Hybrid plainly doesn’t offer equivalent fuel economy to the larger Prius. Honda also needs to upgrade it is hybrid technology to offer a more fuel effective substitute to Toyota technology. For now, Honda hybrid shoppers need to be content with the Civic and Insight, even if this subcompact hybrid isn’t suitable for stateside retail. |
Tag Archives: Honda Insight
The Honda Fit Hybrid Makes Hybrids Truly Affordable
Posted by James Walsh
on November 17, 2011
No comments
