Let me start out by saying that my wife an I have been Honda owners for over 17 years (she being very pro-Honda in general).

We're looking to replace my little 4-banger pickup with something a bit more fuel efficient, while still maintaining some degree of cargo-carrying ability. For quite some time it was looking like the Matrix was the best (only) option out there, and so we were very happy when we ran into the Fit announcement.

We had our first look at the Fit at the Atlanta Auto Show today. First glance is that it had (for us) all of its ducks in a row: better space management, more interior room, better gas mileage. Then I noticed the flooring in the cargo area.

Why oh why did Honda choose to use the same, lousy, 1/8" masonite flooring (with carpet glued on it) that it seems to use in so many of its cars? (This same "value engineering" has caused us no end of problems with carrying any non-trivial loads in the trunk of our late-90's Accord.) I especially have a hard time understanding this for the Fit: a car that is marketed for all of its "cargo hauling flexibility". If you look at the Matrix, xA, even the Suzuki station wagon, you have a nice, solid plastic honeycomb decking material. (Kia's equivalent seems to use masonite as well, for what that brand comparison is worth.)

If I recall correctly, the Fit is due for a model change next year. If anyone at Honda is listening, and if it's not too late, please think about making this one change (preferably to all of your models). IMO it would help make the car seem a lot more polished.