In 1978, Sports Illustrated broadcast an unforgettable TV advertisement in which Steve Garvey and the late Lyle Alzado are discussing their jobs. Garvey says “I’m a hitter”, and Alzado says “I’m a hitter, too,” then looks at the bat in Garvey’s hands; “what’s that for?”, to which Garvey replies “for hitting”.  Says Alzado, “I’ve got to get me one of those!”

While testing Honda’s new 2015 Fit this last week, I had a handful of people make that exclamation after looking over and riding in the car, most notably my wife, Ruth.  I was pretty pleased by the Fit, as well, a Mystic yellow metallic five-door EX model.

The new Fit has been re-designed for 2015, with a distinctive crease incorporated into the bodywork and a new six-speed standard transmission.  Its built on a new platform with an increase in rigidity and a 1.6” shorter (160”) overall length.  Height (60”) and width (67”) are the same as a 2014, and the curb weight is 2,650 lbs.

The front-wheel drive Fit has a 1.5 liter, 4 cylinder, 16-valve engine with 130 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 114 lb. ft. of torque at 4,600 rpm.  Zero to 60 mph acceleration is reportedly 9 seconds and top speed is 110 mph.  Fuel economy ratings are 29 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and a combined rating is 32 mpg.

The five-passenger Honda Fit has a surprisingly ample rear seat for three that folds down or alternatively, can be reclined a bit for weary back- seat passengers.  Behind the seat is 17 cubic feet of cargo space accessible with a hatch opening (called a fifth door).  Folded down seating results in 53 cubic feet of space behind the little buckets.

Guidance and ride are fine out on the highway in the Fit, and the little four buzzes along at 3,600 rpm at 75 mph.  That leaves the six-speed transmission with relatively close ratios and that makes acceleration fun, if not breathtaking.  Wind and highway noise out there are OK, and in town the handling is on target.    

Interior appointments, including cloth upholstery, are about what a person might expect, except that the EX has a proximity keyless pushbutton starter setup and a power moon roof.  Materials are fine inside the Honda, and a lack of radio knobs can be overcome with steering wheel controls and a 7” touchscreen infotainment screen.

A backup camera is part of the deal on this Honda, and the company has supplied a camera on the right hand mirror to view the driver’s blind spot behind and to the right of the vehicle.  It kicks on when the right hand turn signal is switched.  I think it’s super – better than navigation and XM satellite radio, things not present in the Honda.

M.S.R.P. of the Honda, at $18,225.00, is a good value.  That’s the reason my friends (and my wife) expressed an intent to “get one of these.”  We shall see about that.