Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Reviews

2018 HONDA FIT

BY Glen Konorowski, 22 Nov, 2017 03:20 PM

    New styling and sophistication 

     
     

     

    The third generation Honda Fit gets a shot of mid-cycle rejuvenation with the arrival of a Sport grade for 2018. The new model boasts a few aesthetic additions, a funky new colour option, and an attractive price point intended to continue the appeal of the car with the younger demographic.
     
    “With sporty new styling and additional feature content, the 2018 Honda Fit ups the ante with new styling and sophistication not typically found in the subcompact segment,” says Jean Marc Leclerc, Honda Canada senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “Fit has always represented a great value for subcompact customers and the addition of available Honda Sensing to its fun-to-drive performance and unmatched versatility will keep the Honda Fit as the industry’s benchmark subcompact.”
     
     
    In addition to the universal changes such as a two-piece chrome and piano black grille, metallic accenting, hexagonal foglight surrounds, and more aggressive rear bumper, the Sport adds a body kit highlighted by an orange-striped front spoiler and unique black-finish 16-inch alloy wheels. A special Orange Fury colour is also offered exclusively on this trim level.
     
    As you might have guessed, orange is the theme colour here. The interior is all black and there is orange contrast stitching found on the seats and elsewhere. A seven-inch Display Audio touchscreen now controls the infotainment system and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowing handsfree manipulation of messaging, navigation and audio entertainment.
     
     
    On vehicles equipped with the CVT transmission, Honda Sensing is standard for the first time. The safety technology suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and more. A fantastic six-speed manual transmission continues to be offered, which our loaner came with. Gear changes are predictable, smooth and really increase the fun factor of driving the small hatchback.
     
    Underneath the hood is still the same efficient and perky 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC engine rated at 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. The pre-facelifted example already handled twisty bits of road well, but Honda has been hard work retuning the suspension and adding body reinforcements. The result is a tighter car overall that can carve corners quickly.
     
     
     
    I thought the ride sounded quieter than before, and it turns out the window glass is acoustic laminated (i.e. thicker) and is much better at filtering out road noise. In addition, there is further use of sound deadening materials throughout 
    the vehicle.
     
    If you can manage to keep your foot off the accelerator, the manual transmission Fit has been tested to yield a combined fuel economy rating of 7.4 L/100 km in mixed city and highway driving, which is very respectable for its class. But that wouldn’t be very Sport-like, now would it?
     

    Highlights (As Tested)

    MSRP: $15,190
    Motor: 1.5-litre four cylinder  
    Horsepower: 130 @ 6,800 rpm   
    Torque (lb-ft): 114 @ 4,600 rpm   
    Gearbox: Six-speed manual  
    Layout: Front engine, front-wheel drive   
    Fuel economy: 7.4 L/100 km mixed city/highway (manufacturer estimate)

    MORE Reviews ARTICLES

    Dilawri and OpenRoad partner to build new flagship Porsche Centre in Richmond

    Dilawri and OpenRoad partner to build new flagship Porsche Centre in Richmond
    Construction of the new state-of-the-art dealership is set to start in 2018, with plans for completion in 2019.

    Dilawri and OpenRoad partner to build new flagship Porsche Centre in Richmond

    2016 BMW 750Li: Pure long-wheelbase opulence

    2016 BMW 750Li: Pure long-wheelbase opulence
    There are cars that are luxurious, and then there are luxury cars. An example of the latter? The 2016 BMW 750Li. 

    2016 BMW 750Li: Pure long-wheelbase opulence

    2016 Infiniti Q50: A refreshing upgrade

    2016 Infiniti Q50: A refreshing upgrade
    Even though the Infiniti Q50 luxury sports sedan came out only two years ago, the vehicle gets a pretty huge mid-cycle update for 2016. 

    2016 Infiniti Q50: A refreshing upgrade

    2016 Volkswagen Beetle Denim

    2016 Volkswagen Beetle Denim
    Influenced by the 1970s “Jeans” Bug, its name tells the full story. The regular 2016 Beetle has undergone a thorough inside-out denim treatment to look and feel like your favourite pair of Levis.

    2016 Volkswagen Beetle Denim

    Top Cars for wintertime driving

    Top Cars for wintertime driving
    From slick sports cars to capable crossovers, DARPAN has compiled a shortlist of the best all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles out right now, factoring in things like comfort and convenience, fuel economy, performance, and price.

    Top Cars for wintertime driving

    Fraserway RV Named Blue Ribbon Top 50 RV Dealer in North America

    Fraserway RV Named Blue Ribbon Top 50 RV Dealer in North America
    BLUE RIBBON RECIPIENT CELEBRATES INDUSTRY HONOUR 

    Fraserway RV Named Blue Ribbon Top 50 RV Dealer in North America