On Honda's webpage for the 2009 Fit, they list Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as one of features. I noticed on some of the others listed they use the word "Available" at the beginning (ie Available paddle shifters). Does this mean that there's a chance VSA might come standard with all models? After all, it doesn't say "Available Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)"

Yes, I know that there's a trim with "NAV & VSA" but is there a possibility that they added VSA to all models?

 

Sounds like it is certainly possible. Guess we will know for sure in a few weeks.

 

Im pretty sure VSA will be standard on the Sport Fits.

Tyler

 

In the email it appeared that it would be an option availible in addition to the NAV system, it also sounded like NAV and Stability were bundled together. Its really unlikely that it would be standard on the base model.

 

"Available" in the car world means the same thing as optional. It's either part of a package, like bundled with the NAV or (more likely) offered on the Sport but not the base model.

My 2004 Scion xD had standard stability control and it was like $14,500 so I don't think it would be too hard for Honda to make it standard on the Sport model at least.

I think it is a great safety feature, especially for less experienced drivers who are less likely to know intuitively how to control a car in a sudden skid or loss of traction situation at high speed. It saves lives. They really ought to make it standard across the board in keeping with their "Saftey for everyone" theme.

 

Another factor in the VSA issue is that 55% of a manufacturer's 2009 model-year cars have to include stability control. This increases to 75% in 2010, 95% in 2011 and 100% in 2012. Honda might very well decide to go ahead and make it standard with the Fit redesign, or maybe on all models, instead of trying to play the numbers. There would obviously be some marketting mileage by being able to claim that one's entire fleet came standard with stability control.

 

I think being bundled with the nav would make the $1800 nav trim more understandable. not that I want it to be $1800...

 

$1800 is not a confirmed price is it?

 

Its priceless in the winter, in my moms element if i shut it off, i can do doughnuts on accident quite easily, yet with it on its almost impossible to loose control.... not that people should try and test its limits or let if give them more confidence... I remember guys at my highschool who would have WRX's with out stability control, and would try and take corners at 50 MPH and would go sideways into a telephone pole (because somehow AWD helps you go around corners? )... little did they know the newer WRX's they see doing that on TV have stability control. I'd say the most important invention since ABS.. Or even seatbelts.. There havnt been many other technologies that actually prevent accidents.

I'd have to say though, that i wouldnt rate hondas Stability control as well as toyotas. The Stability control in my dads FJ is a lot more graceful. On the element, when control is lost it will really jerk the car back into place quite rigidly.. The FJ on the other hand will allow you to maintain a perfect drift around a corner, efforlessly going exactly where you want it to.