Over the years the auto industry has brought us many a shoe box with wheels. You’ve all seen them puttering around town with their drivers hunched over the wheels like some circus performer about to issue forth from the car followed by his painted cohorts with red noses and big shoes. Awfully uncomfortable looking. If you’re even of average height and build these tiny cars can be a squeeze and if you’ve ever shopped in a big and tall store you can forget it. But hey, they’ve got fuel economy that would rival a 125cc motorcycle’s and parking is a breeze.
Compelling reasons to shoehorn yourself in, eh?
Whatever your answer is, the real point is that you must compromise. Size for comfort. Convenience for posture, etc… Or do you?
Enter the Honda Fit. When first introduced some time ago, it seemed like a dream come true. Small size outside and big space inside. Even a six footer would fit without scraping his noggin on the visor. And those back seats…Magic! The fold every which way from Sunday so you can create up to 57 cubit feet of cargo room. It’s like a cavern in there. OK, so you’ll still have to tie the new mattress to the roof but groceries, boxes, instruments, all fit (no pun intended).
The ergonomics are fabulous for such a small car. It’s safe with Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure, six airbags and ABS and the car is fun to drive. A peppy with its light weight and 117hp engine. It also comes pretty well equipped even in basic trim:
- 117-hp, 16-valve i-VTEC® 4-Cylinder Engine
- Drive-by-Wire™ Throttle System
- Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)
- Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
- Side Curtain Airbags
- Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Active Head Restraints
- Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control[2]
- Security System
- Body-Colored Folding Power Side Mirrors
- Cruise Control
- Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Cruise Controls
- 10 Beverage Holders
- 160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) Playback Capability and 4 Speakers
- USB Audio Interface
- MP3/Auxiliary Input Jack
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