A review of the 2015 Fit in the LA Times a few months ago included comments by GM Jeff Conrad explaining why Honda decided to make the changes which make the 2015 Fits different than the older models. The guy who wrote the review liked the old Fits just fine and thinks that the new ones are nothing special, but whether or not you agree with him Conrad's remarks will explain why the new ones are different.

 

You can't go by one opinion ....... I find opinions to be all over the place.

 

Which is why some people need to test drive one themselves. Funny thing is the last four new cars I purchased, I never needed to test drive it to know I wanted it. I knew I wanted one right from the start, just by reading the reviews, features, etc. I've always been happy with just that info.

 

I had a bad feeling the new Fit would remind someone of the older Versas. I was almost SURE the comparison would be made. It is just what happens when you build a car for a big audience, it gets dulled down sensory wise. I am not saying that's bad. I'm sure with Honda's "improvements" to NVH, electronics and all that, it will sell great.

I am just sad that Honda no longer has a car that echos the past spirit of Honda. To me, the Fit was the last remaining car in their lineup like that in either Honda or Acura guise. Although it's not that driving feeling you get with Hondas of the Golden Age, it's the best they had. It's unfortunate, but I think this will be my first and last new Honda.

Well, unless they give us an S1500 and it's not a dumbed down cruiser.

Nobody makes raw cars anymore though. I guess i'll be just like that old man now who's hyping up carburetors and setting timing manually refusing to change with the times.

 

And that car

 

If the tranny is less notchy, then it's a good thing IMO. It seems like Honda made the the GE's tranny notchy on purpose to make it feel more "mecanical" but it didn't fool me, it looks "fake" and like it will simply blow the syncros faster than a butter smooth shifter.

I used to drive an '87 Civic and despite the long throw this was by far the best feeling and connect tranny I've had, but in 2014 these kinds of transmissions don't exist anymore, maybe in a Lotus elise...

As far as the steering, both GE and GK have around 2.5 turns so they both should be as nervous. The GE is too nervous on the highway IMO, it's cool around town but you need to watch yourself on the freeway. So if it's less reactive (although just as fast turning based on pure specifications) and more neutral it might be a good thing. I drove a BMW 120D in Europe last month and the steering was so great, quick and sharp in the tight curves yet heavy and neutral on the freeway, but that's a 30 000$+ car...

Some boys racer here seem to belive that a harsh ride = sporty ride. A car can handle great and have a quick steering yet being smooth and comfortable, that's called refinement. Honda always lacked of it, so I don't hope much from that Fit but maybe I'll be pleased.

For example, I liked better a 06-11 Yaris than the GE Fit. The Yaris didn't pretend to be sporty but actually turns in really quickly, doesn't take too much roll (yet absorbs bumps better than the GE) and can shift really quickly although the shifter feel vague.

 

Just got back from the test drive. Have a 2007 and a 2012. Drove the EX-auto.

Not as go cart as the 2007, which I really like. I'll buy that it is more refined, and maybe on the long drives that will pay off, but is just a notch lower in terms of enjoyability and fun from the 2012, which to me was a slightly larger drop off from the 2007.

I do like the post above about Honda not making raw cars anymore. I liked the rawness of the older fits. They matched the practicality and pure wonderful utility of the vehicle.

I'll still buy it. But now I have to justify it with the increased mileage.

 

My impressions after my first week and first tank of gas with my new EX/CVT: Ride is smoother than the previous generation; it feels more substantial at highway speeds. Exactly 40 mpg w. econ on, mixed highway and city driving, flat Ohio terrain, AC about two-thirds of the time, but I drive with a light foot in the city. Watch the alloy wheels near curbs; scuffed one up a bit already. Fabric in the hatch is ultra cheap; watch rolling luggage wheels across the hatch floor, you'll get skid marks. I like the push button start more than I thought I would. No more fumbling for keys in cold weather and dropping them in the snow. Loved my 85 civic hatch and the new fit takes me back to that time but with 30 years of improvements.

 

Just picked up a EX-L with navi for the wife today. First impressions are like what have been mentioned, more refined drive.

Less road feedback due to the steering being a little light (may also be the new tires) but I was able to take the same lines/speed that my GD w/Swifts do and I felt more planted. Ride is much less fatiguing but the suspension IMO reminded me of a buddies IS 350, comfortable but predictable in the corners.