Does anyone know whether the '09 models have a better rear impact safety rating that the poor rating the '08 models got? I have a 6 year old daughter and the car would be used as the primary family car. That is why I've been waiting on the '09 models instead of buying an '08 model. Thanks in advance.

 

Ratings on the '09 models are not yet available.

 

They almost certainly will be rated better. Part of the reason for the lower rear rating was the lack of active head restraints. The new Fit is equipped with active head restraints, which cuts down on the possibility of whiplash in the case of a rear collision. However, the rating is somewhat misleading, as the active head restraints are for front passengers only. Also, a person's head would have to be the height of the headrest for it to apply. I'm not sure how tall your daughter is, but it might not have any effect in her case. At any rate, the Fit is very safe, both the previous one and the new one. The safety institutes merely made it necessary for the cars to have active head restraints to get a good rating.

 

rest assured that 90% of honda's lineup for 2009/2010 use the newer ACE construction design/technology - the fit included. This means they've designed a chasis and used materials that will help the vehicle better cope with an impact with a wide range of vehicles/objects. Something the older Fit's did not have (because they didnt use/have ACE in the original 2001 design).
So pretty much all new Honda's are going to get Good to Acceptable ratings from IIHS for impacts all around. I dont think we'll see marginal or poor scores, save for the select models that havent been updated in design utilizing ACE.

Lastly, as the poster above stated - proper seat, steering wheel, headrest etc, adjustments are required for any safety feature to function as designed. So even in the current fit, if you aren't situated properly, what could have been GOOD in an IIHS test maybe marginal or poor for you in an accident.