Little has changed about the Honda Fit for the third year of its second generation, but its few changes were very directed. With thicker window glass and additional insulation in the floor, front fender and A-pillars, the 2012 Fit answers the calls for a quieter ride and adds a few other finishing touches to this 5-door compact hatchback.
The lineup hasn't changed - a Base and Sport remain the only options in the USA, although a hybrid is set to debut in Paris this year for the European market. Both U.S. versions gain new cupholders and console ambient lighting, but the Sport received the most attention. Changes for the Sport are primarily cosmetic - including new headlights, wheels, upholstery and chrome accents - but functional updates amount to the standard inclusion of steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and several upgrades to the automatic-only available navigation system.
For all of these improvements you can expect to pay just $50 to $300 more over last year's noisy version of the same car. As such, the 2012 Fit is still amazingly fun to drive - and economical, getting up to 27 mpg city/33 highway with its 117-hp 1.5-liter 4-cylinder and 5-speed automatic, though a lively 5-speed manual is the Sport's first transmission choice. As impressive as those numbers are, with the manual transmission and a meticulously economical driving style, some drivers have been able to get as much as 40 mpg with previous versions of the Fit.
This little car has surprising utility too, having over 57 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the passenger seats folded down - even the front passenger seat folds down, making room for things as long as 7 and a half feet. Fit and finish are certainly adequate, the controls are easy to use, and the back seat not only fits adults with some measure of comfort, it also folds up in a number of ways to allow for more room on your terms.
Stability and traction control are standard, as are a buffet of airbags, antilock brakes and active front head restraints. Other notable standard inclusions are keyless entry, full power accessories, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control and a stereo with USB/iPod connectivity, auxiliary audio jack and CD player.
An exceptionally small number of people currently own the 2012 Fit, but it does appear from a few professional first impressions that the changes made did improve cabin noise - significantly. Owners of previous versions note that the air conditioner's fan could be stronger, and although there doesn't appear to be any indication of a modification in that area, the professional reviews of the 2012 edition make no mention of a possible issue with it. Otherwise drivers of previous versions could not be more emphatic about their love for this little lugger - called "amazing" for its utility and "fun" for its nimble handling and able engine.
