Months in fleet: Five
Mileage to date: 7335
Our Four Seasons Honda Fit may be a well-sorted city car, but it seems we've been using it as a moving van lately. That's not surprising--with our Four Seasons Dodge Ram constantly in demand for its ability to wrestle large and heavy loads, those looking to move a considerable amount of cargo turn to our second-roomiest vehicle: the tiny Fit.
We've praised the Fit's versatile interior in the past, but we truly put it to the test in April. One staffer threw a 7-foot-long Ikea bookshelf kit into the car and still managed to close and latch the hatch without rope, twine, or string. Impressive, but there were bigger tasks at hand, including moving our trusted motor gopher (and his two roommates) out of his college dormitory.
"I fell in love with this little guy," gushed gopher Steven Sherman. "In three trips, the Fit hauled a futon frame and mattress, microwave, mini-fridge, various boxes, a full-sized mannequin, camping backpacks, mountains of clothing, and all of the other random junk we accumulated over this school year." (What were you doing with that mannequin, Steven?-Ed.)
The Fit's ability to handle such a gargantuan load lies with the so-called "Magic Seat," which quickly and easily folds either up (allowing a bicycle, sans front wheel, to fit into the car transversely) or flat. We've even made use of the oft-forgotten "Long Mode"--fold the rear seat down, scoot the front passenger's seat all the way forward and tilt it fully backward, and the Fit can now carry even longer items. Practical, although make sure you plan first--you'll be able to carry only one passenger, and he or she will be seated behind the driver.
Some, though, still wish the little Honda's driving dynamics were further developed. Web editor Phil Floraday, who spends most of his time on roads lined with slower traffic, pines for more power: "Everything from farm equipment to old people seem to line up in front of me at 40 mph," he explains. "The Fit just doesn't have enough power to catapult past more than one vehicle at a time, so I end up stuck behind something slow and my commutes with the Fit are anything but enjoyable."
Still, we're generally finding the Fit to be versatile, practical, thrifty, and fun--the exact characteristics that made the earliest Hondas legends in their own right. ...next page >>