Honda Fit

Kelley Blue Book selects its top-10 cheap, cool, cars

The list, according to KBB, dismisses the once prevalent belief that a “cheap new car used to mean resigning yourself to time bombs like the Chevrolet Citation or windups like the Geo Metro or Ford Aspire.” AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars The KBB list starts with the 2011 Ford Fiesta largely because of28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway EPA rating and mile-long standard feature list. Here’s the KBB list of cool new cars for less than$18,000: 1. 2011 Ford Fiesta; 2. 2010 Honda Civic; 3. 2010 Honda Fit; 4. 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring; 5. 2010 Kia Soul; 6. 2010 Mazda3; 7. 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer; 8. 2010

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Suzuki Sx4 Sportback, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Now in its fourth year since replacing the Aerio, the Suzuki SX4 has gained a steadily increasing following as an unheralded competitor to the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Scion xD. But the compact car now features 16 stylings, including the new sportiest family edition, the Sx4 Sportback. A hatchback with a different name, the Sportback has a firmer suspension, a lower ride height, increased of horsepower (143 to 150) and two new transmission options a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the latter of which replaces last year’s four-speed automatic. And there’s more: restyled front fascia, a new instrument cluster, a height-adjustable driver seat, an auxiliary audio jack (delayed availability), a few new navigation features and some

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Honda Fit, Toyota Prius get top value honors, Lexus best overall in Consumer Reports annual auto issue

The Honda Fit and the Toyota Prius each earned a value score of 2.08 and provided the best overall value despite being very different cars. Scores are expressed in relation to the value of the average vehicle (designated 1.00). A score of 2.00 represents twice the value of the average model. In total points, based on the magazine’s average road test scores and predicted reliability scores, Honda and Subaru tied for first with an overall score of 77 out of 100 points in Consumer Reports’ ranking. Toyota and Hyundai finished second and third while Nissan and Volkswagen tied for fourth. The ratings were calculated despite the recent recall issues for the Prius and Fit. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car

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Honda recall: Melting window switches in Fit potential fire hazard in nearly 650,000 cars

Honda Motor Co., has announced a voluntary recall of 646,000 Fit models, its globally popular sub-compact, to examine window switches that can melt or catch fire when exposed to an extreme amount of liquid. The vehicles affected are Fit models from 2007-2008. Honda reported 141,140 units with the potential window switch issues were sold in the United States. The problem stems from a master power window switch on the driver’s side. It will need replacement or retrofitting with a waterproof skirt. Seven cases of the part melting have been reported n the U.S., two involving fire. No injuries have been linked to the defect. “Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver’s window and

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Edmunds.com unveils recommended cars, trucks for 2010

The guide contains Edmunds.com’s Top Recommended Vehicles — shopping lists for consumers interested in any market segment. Another section of the guide, What You Should Know before Buying, provides valuable segment-specific guidance no car shopper should miss. “You’re ready to buy a new vehicle, but how do you go about narrowing down the choices?” Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief of Edmunds.com asked. “Consumers can really use a friend in this overwhelming process; our buying guides give them the benefit of our extensive experience testing and researching every car on the market.” Here are Edmunds.com top recommended vehicles for 2010: Sedans Under $15,000 —- Honda Fit, Hyundai Elantra Under $20,000 —- Mazda MAZDA3, Suzuki Kizashi, Ford Fusion Under $25,000 —- Honda

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Honda Fit to Lexus GS450h, The Weekly Driver's Cars of the Year, 2009

Lots of car buyers purchase $15,000 cars or prefer SUVs and midsize sedans. Hybrids and sports cars are fun drives, but they still comprise niche market choices compared to more popular choices — Honda Accord to Ford F-150 pick-ups to Toyota Camry. It’s these cars I’ve most often reviewed since 2003. In 2007, I began a Best-of-the-Year list. Like during the list’s previous two editions,  I waited until the end of the year — the opposite approach of the major car publications. The industry’s renowned magazines and web sites often select their lists to outdo each other. Sometimes, some of the cars chosen have just debuted or in some instances they’re not yet available to the public. How does that

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Nissan Versa, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It ain’t true. With a base price of $10,000 and change, the Versa base model has a lot to offer — whether it’s in the U.S. and Canada, or in Mexico, Japan, China and several other countries where it’s called the Tiida. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (5) It’s easy to forget the car has only 107 horsepower. Because it’s lightweight and nimble, it gives the impression it’s quicker than it really is. That’s not a bad thing. Rather the “illusion” makes the Versa all the more fun to drive. Braking/Steering/Handling (5) A few experiences when the brakes seemed “soft.” Steering and handling, though, are a strong point. It’s fun to shift through the five-speed manual transmission, particularly since the

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Chrysler Town & Country, 2009: Roman Mica’s Rambling Review

“How the heck do I turn on the heater on this bloody car?” I almost screamed at my 11-year-old son while seriously editing my language and shivering while driving him to school in a 2009 Chrysler Town & Country. 49 — That’s how many buttons, knobs and dual-function controls the Chrysler’s center stack has, and that’s not counting the dozen or more touch screen functions associated with the multimedia entertainment screen. 7 — That’s how many functions you’ll find on the key for the minivan, including a remote start button. 3 — That’s how many video screens, kids television stations, and electric doors the minivan comes with from the factory. 2 — That’s how many wireless headsets, DVD players and

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Toyota Yaris, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

And it’s one of many reasons the Yaris is firmly positioned among several economical vehicles ideal for tight budgets but that don’t scrimp on safety or workmanship. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (4) Cars in the sub-compact segment can’t be expected to be sports cars.  The Yaris is a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder vehicle with 106 horsepower. As such, it gets the job done steadily. But don’t expect much more. Braking/Steering/Handling (5) The Honda Fit is the segment leader in many areas, including these three categories. But the Yaris is no slouch. It has a small turning radius and ABS is standard on all models. Steering is fine, too. Again, it’s not a sports car, but fun in a sub-compact sort of

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Honda Fit, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Add it all up, and once again Honda has taken a good car that would have fared well without upgrades and innovation and made it more attractive. It was and remains arguably the finest entry level car in the United States. It’s hard, though, to classify the Fit as entry level. It’s Honda’s smallest vehicle. Yet, with a price range from $13,950 to approaching $20,000 (with all options), it’s an entry level car on par with other brands priced well into the $20,000 range. The Fit is still fit, for sure. But it’s now a more well-rounded “athlete.” It’s hard to notice at first glance, but consider: The Fit’s wheelbase has been increased 2 inches to 98.4 inches; the overall

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Porsche, Honda, BMW, Chevrolet dominate Car and Driver's top-10 best car lists the past three years

* The car must be new or significantly redesigned from a previous year; * Its price can’t exceed more than 2.5-times the average price of a new in the year of the list ($71,000 for 2009); * If a car doesn’t make the list on its first year of eligibility, it must undergo a redesign for future eligibility; * Once a car makes the list, it’s on the list again the following year and can remain on the list indefinitely unless there’s a drastic reason why it should be removed — a major change in the vehicle or the spectacularly warranted debut of a new car on the list. There aren’t many changes year-to-year, but here’s the last three years

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Toyota, Lexus top Consumer Reports' 2009 best car lists

Consumer Reports has selected the 2009 Toyota Prius (Touring) as best overall value among 300 American and foreign cars reviewed. The Lexus LS 460, Mini Cooper, Infiniti G37, and Toyota Highlander are among the top cars of 2009 as rated by Consumer Reports. The Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Rabbit, Honda Civic EX and the Honda Fit completed the top-five selections among the best valued cars, according to magazine. In its yearly auto issue, Consumer Reports highlights the best new-car value vehicles in nine categories: small cars, family cars, upscale cars, hatchbacks/wagons, sporty cars, minivans, small SUVs, midsized SUVs and pickup trucks. Here are the highlights: Best Value Small Cars: Honda Civic EX, Honda Fit (base), Hyundai Elantra SE, Toyota Corolla LE

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Audi to Honda, BMW to Nissan: The Weekly Driver's Cars Of The Year, 2008

The biggest automotive news of 2008 remains the ongoing crisis among the “Big Three” manufacturers — General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. But beyond all the serious stuff, there was a lot of fun and intrigue for automotive enthusiasts in 2008. This year marked the sixth full year of The Weekly Driver reviews. I reviewed 32 new cars in 2008 — Audi to Volkswagen, BMW to Suzuki. I drove about two dozen other vehicles at car shows and manufacturers’ functions. A few dozen additional reviews from contributing writers also appeared on dev.theweeklydriver.com during 2008. My friend Bruce Aldrich and I also collaborated on about a dozen car videos in 2008. It was great fun, and I learned something. I said the

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Car & Driver Magazine's Top-10 Cars For 2008

The magazine has just released its 2008 results,  and the list emphasizes an influx of sedans and sports cars in several price categories. As the magazine detailed, it judges cars as follows: “We judge each car in three general areas, the first being how well the vehicle performs its intended functions. We expect sports cars to be fast and exhilarating, whereas we presume a family sedan will be frugal and practical.” “Second, we show all preference for the more engaging cars in each category, be it athletic driving manners, a seductive look, or a powerful engine sure to induce a grin every time we climb behind the wheel. Finally, we are suckers for a good deal, so an inexpensive car

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Honda Fit, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

So, let’s state upfront its price and gas mileage. The base model Fit costs $13,453 and mileage range from 27-33 mpg (with a manual transmission). So, it’s easy to see where the Fit fits a tight budge. Adding one more car to its extensive stable of vehicles, the Japanese manufacturer introduced the Fit in 2007, replacing the Civic as its entry-level vehicle. Although the Fit was new to the United States, it’s been sold in Japan since 2001 and progressed to the European market one year later. Another reason the Fit is considered by youthful car shoppers is it’s a four-door hatchback that seats five and offers versatility. Another feature sure to interest the younger generation is a dealer-installed adapter

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Toyota Prius, VW Jetta Top Only 15 Cars In U.S. Averaging At Least 30 mpg

Chevrolet (Cobalt, Aero) and Honda (Civic hybrid and Fit) each have two vehicles on the list. Six of the vehicles are hybrids and the total of 15 are the only new offerings in the United States averaging more than 30 mpg in combined driving averages. Here’s the list in deceasing order, with city, highway and combined gas mileage averages listed: Toyota Prius (hybrid, 2008, (combined 46 miles per gallon); Honda Civic (hybrid), 40/46, 42 mpg combined; Smart Fortwo, 2008, 33/41, 36 mpg combined; Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2009, 30/41, 34 mpg combined; Nissan Altima (hybrid), 35/33, 34 mpg combined; Toyota Camry (hybrid), 33/34, 34 mpg combined; Mini Cooper, 2008, 28/37 32 mpg combined; Toyota Yaris, 2008 29/36, 32 mpg combined; Ford

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