“New Honda Fit” test driving report e:HEV

It has been test driving a new Fit that will be the 4th generation. Honda has set Japan as the lead country for the new Fit, and plans to expand globally from within Japan. The meaning is that Japan has the strictest requirements for compact cars and small cars, and if it succeeds in selling in Japan, it will be accepted worldwide. Now, let’s give a test drive report of the new Fit.

Delivery has begun in Japan on February 14, 2020, but I did test drive a prototype, but could not test drive a commercial model on a public road.

Low rebound pillow ride comfort

After all, the ride was quite different from the prototype. It is more sophisticated or polished, and the ride quality is standing out.

Test drive courses are general roads and highways, and are general non-winding local roads. The road surface was quite rough and the evaluation was severe. One of the major features of the new Fit is that you can feel “It’s a good ride” even in such bad conditions.

The impression is that the softness and strength coexist like a low-rebound pillow, the flexibility coming from the stroke like a French car, and the rigid ride comfort “damped” with dampers and springs like a German car It was a different ride.

Although the platform is carry-over, it is a riding comfort realized by adding various improvements to the body. We recommend that you try this with a real car.

View like simulator

The first thing you will notice when you get into the new Fit is the size of your view. The front window, side windows, and large triangular windows supported by the fine A-pillars make the interior bright and open and fresh.

You feel as if you were sitting on a simulator seat and your vision is wide. Furthermore, the engine hood is not visible even when the seat is lifted up. Of course, no wiper blades are visible and nothing obstructs the view.

And super plain! The interior design is fresh. The interior is unprecedented with a horizontal tone dashboard, two-spoke steering, and a 9-inch large-screen navigation that looks as if floating.

However, there is also a commitment to the texture, and the operation switches and the like have a well-created texture when operated, such as a click feeling, and are not cheap. The simplicity, but the high quality, gives the impression of targeting the trendy minimalist of recent years.

Advanced and simple. Yet high quality interior. Amazing view and a bright room. The impact is enough, such as a comfortable seat like a sofa at home.

Very large storage capacity

Honda did not mention the center tank layout and inner frame structure in the technical description. However, a structure that can be said to be Honda’s unique technology has created an incredibly wide cabin. It is a center tank layout, and when all seats are folded, a surprising space appears.

The rear seat is a 6: 4 split seat with chip-up and dive-down functions. The operability that can be operated with one hand and the space created by it are no rivals. And while there is this much space, it is safe because you are driving and there is a sense of rigidity in the body.

e-HEV runs on motor

The test drive “NESS” grade has a new hybrid. The structure of the i-MMD, which was previously developed for semi-large models, has been reduced to a new fit. It is equipped with a 1.5L gasoline engine and has two motors. The engine is mainly a series / parallel hybrid that recharges the battery and partially runs at high speed with the engine.

Therefore, on a general road, the vehicle runs almost only by the motor, and the engine operates with the remaining battery level. When the engine is running, it is linked with the accelerator, and if you step on the engine strongly, the rotation of the engine will also increase, making it feel like you are running the engine. However, it is driving by motor.

And the high level of quietness when driving with a motor, smooth moving, solid body rigidity, riding comfort like a low rebound pillow, the view like a simulator are full of freshness, compact like never before The impression of a car is strong.

Of course, I also feel powerful in terms of power. The motor output of 253Nm torque is more powerful than the 1.5L turbo engine, so it can run at a high level while improving environmental performance. By the way, fuel efficiency is 28.6-38.6km / L in JC08 mode.

According to your lifestyle

Looking at the lineup of the new fit, the grade configuration is not a vertical structure hierarchy. There are five types of models in the lineup to select according to lifestyle, and the new development of setting equipment options for each model is also fresh.

There are five types: BASIC, HOME, NESS, LUXE, and CROSSTAR.”Basic” and minimal life of Honda, which is used every day, is simple and unadorned. To emphasize your personality.

“Home” is a comfort life, and a high quality living in a discerning space where you can relax in your daily life.” Ness” proposes a fitness-healthy fitness life, just like the fashion of Fit Ness.” LUXE” is a luxury life, and it is a relaxed and luxurious, elegant, comfortable and fulfilling experience.

The only type that has an exterior with SUV-like height is the “Crosster”. He said that he would fit into a lifestyle where he would want to go out with friends and family.

1.3L engine with high quietness

All five of these models will be set in FF and 4WD, and will also can be select hybrid e-HEV and 1.3L naturally aspirated engine models as power trains. By the way, the gasoline engine is set only for CVT, and the hybrid is a type that has one gear for high speed driving.

The dimensions of the body are 3995 mm in length, 1695mm in width, 1515mm in total height FF, 1540mm in 4WD, and only 1545mm in FF and 4WD only in the Crosstar.

Another test drive is a Home, a model with a 1.3L gasoline engine. The “L13B” engine, of course, had no strong impression, but was surprisingly quiet. The difference between when the engine is running on the e-HEV and when running on the 1.3L engine is that it is a level that feels equally quiet without much feeling, so actively choose 1.3L There is also.

Of course, there is a price difference, so the benefits of choosing 1.3L are right, and the appeal of the new fit, such as ride comfort, good visibility, and ease of use, remains the same, so I think there are some choices.＜レポート：Akira Takahashi＞

Fit specifications

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