Friday, September 19, 2014
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Richmond Review · Page 19
Welcome elcome to the driver’s seat
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Honda Fit goes big but in a smaller package new 2015 has 79mm of The subcompact segment in Canada had been a bit additional rear seat room, stale, until this past year, the largest cargo area, when we witnessed a class leading passenger number of new entries into volume and more front this segment. shoulder room than its In 2013, Nissan introduced competitors. That’s all the Versa Note hatchback good stuff but the design and earlier this year Nissan of the rear seats and carThe Fit has the followed up with the Migo floor make all of that cra, the least expensive car space race won. room even more useful. on the market ($9,998). Honda has what they Zack Spencer The latest entry is the call Magic Seats: an Honda Fit, the only vehicle in this comoutrageously simple rear seat design petitive class to come with an amazing that allows the seat bottom to flip up, array of seating options that make it a making the rear seat floor accessible to wonder-on-wheels. store large or tall objects. This would be a great place to transport a dog, almost Looks like a kennel on wheels. Since the fuel In an age where most cars get bigger tank is placed under the front seats from one generation to the next, Honda instead of the typical location under has bucked the trend and actually the rear cargo floor, this allowed the shaved 41mm off the overall length of designers to lower the rear floor offering this new 2015 Fit, but improved interior a much deeper cargo area. Combine this volume. The way they achieved this is by with the ability of the rear seats to fold, stretching the wheelbase and shortening plus the front passenger seat to be rethe front and rear overhangs. This move clined to help transport extra long items also helped in the styling department the Fit has the space race won. by producing more of a wedge front surface with a sleeker front windshield. Drive The Fit now looks longer, sleeker, and Honda has a new line of engines it less top heavy. Priced from $14,495 calls Earth Dreams, a less than subtle $22,595, the Fit, on paper, might not mocking of Mazda’s Skyactiv. The look as attractive as the top selling essence of this new engine technology Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. But when is taking variable valve timing and direct the buyer factors in the versatility of this injection, plus a lighter design to help in vehicle and the fact it has the highest power delivery and fuel consumption. retained value in this class, according to The new 1.5L engine has eleven per cent Canadian Black Book, it can offer good more power, at 130hp, plus more torque value. at 114 lb.-ft. but is 27 per cent lighter than the old engine. The power goes Inside to either an all-new 6-speed manual As attractive as the new exterior is, the that is available on all trim levels or a interior has always been the real story. new continuously variable transmission There is no other car in the subcompact, that expands the gear, ratio range by or even the compact class, that has the fourteen percent. What this means in same functionality and flexibility. This
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terms of drivability is a better jump off the line and improved highway cruising. Because the new transmission reduces weight and friction, the fuel economy has improved by 16 per cent, which is an amazing accomplishment in such a small car. Rated at 7.0L/100km in the city and 5.7L on the highway, using the much tougher 2015 fuel standards, this represents fuel number buyers will actually be able to achieve. In addition, the suspension has been improved for more responsiveness but I found the ride a bit choppy over bumpy roads. Verdict There is so much to talk about with the Honda Fit from space to design and new engineering; it is easy to overlook the creature comforts that have been added. There is now a height adjustable drivers seats, a standard 5-inch LCD screen with backup camera and Bluetooth all on
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the base $14,495 DX trim. Move up one step to the $17,295 LX trim and Honda includes a huge 7-inch touch-sensitive Display Audio system and heated front seats (my favourite). There is also the $19,195 EX trim with alloy wheels, paddle shifter and moon roof, but the big news is the inclusion of the $21,295 EX-L Navi trim. This is the EX trim with leather and navigation, making the fit downright opulent. This isn’t the least expensive car in this class but on the whole it offers so much more than just a price point. This car is all about smart money. The Lowdown Power: 1.5L 4-cylinder with 130hp Fill-up: 7.0L/5.7L/100km (city/highway) Sticker price: $14,495-$22,595 zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca
Question of the Week Is the new distracted driver police enforcement campaign over the top? People are being ticketed for using a hands free wired headset that is connected to a cell phone that is not affixed to the dash. Go to DrivewayCanada.ca to submit your answer. QUESTION
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OF THE WEEK!
Safety Tip: Fall is a good time to assemble an emergency kit for your car – or check the one in your trunk. Kits should include booster cables, tire sealer and inflator, towrope, an emergency signal cone, first aid kit, batteries, flashlight, a thermal blanket, rain poncho, and gloves.
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