2015 Honda Fit First Drive - Interior and Styling

The 2015 Honda Fit is the third generation of Honda's versatile 5-door subcompact hatchback. First introduced to the U.S. in 2006 as a 2007 model, the Fit was named a Car and Driver "10-Best" vehicle for seven straight years. This and the many other accolades earned by Fit speak to its practicality, fuel efficiency and affordability, but also its feature richness, high-quality interior and driving enjoyment. For the completely redesigned 2015 Fit, the unique combination of these traits and the functionality, fun and refinement they provide have been further enhanced with even greater versatility, fresh styling, a more dynamic and refined driving experience, and substantially upgraded technology and luxury features.

The versatility of the 2015 Honda Fit is fundamental to its design. With class-leading interior space and versatility, courtesy of its center-mounted fuel tank and ingenious Magic Seat®, the Fit epitomizes smart functionality with spacious and comfortable seating for five and the ability to carry voluminous cargo, including long and tall items. The larger interior features a remarkable 4.9 cubic feet increase in passenger volume and a 4.8-inch increase in rear seat leg room, all the more remarkable considering its even more compact exterior footprint, including a1.6-inch decrease in overall length.

A highly space-efficient new body structure pairs with an all-new chassis to make up a completely new, more rigid and lighter global subcompact platform featuring numerous improvements to front and rear suspension and steering systems that improve overall driving dynamics. The new platform is also lighter yet more rigid and features a longer wheelbase than the previous Fit. The net effect of these improvements is more settled and stable yet nimble and sporty ride and handling along with a steering linearity that gives the driver a sense of oneness with the vehicle. Many of these upgrades have the additional benefit of improving ride comfort and quietness, while the adoption of a new frame structure, including Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) front body structure, benefits safety performance by targeting the highest-available crash-safety ratings of both the U.S. government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The all-new 2015 Fit has been completely redesigned inside as well. And while it stays true to its ultra-efficient concept, it now boasts a number of standard "class-above" features and optional premium features that make it more comfortable, convenient, and keep the driver informed, connected and entertained. Primary changes, upgrades and new features include a significantly enlarged cabin, a new center console with armrest and tablet connectivity, an available leather trim package, and available premium features such as Smart Entry with Push Button Start and the 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio.

The all-new Fit has a fresh and sporty new style to showcase its enhanced handling and power. The aerodynamic and purposeful design of the entire car is integrated with powerful lines flowing from front to rear, over the hood and roofline, and around the sides. These lines start with the forceful X-shape of the front bumper. The top V-lines of the X split to wrap around the lower edge of the headlights and over the hood. The strong character lines in the hood carry smoothly up the A-pillars to the more forward roof peak then taper down to the color-matched rear roofline spoiler. The inverted bottom V lines also split to frame the angular lower side fascia pods that house the fog lights on EX and EX-L trims.

Exhibiting a powerful and planted look, the lines at the edge of the protruding lower air intake flare back, ride over the wheel-accentuating front fenders and continue to expand in a wedge to encompass the rear wheel arch. A mid-height chiseled line emanates from the front wheel and scores a line through the door handles to expand around the taillight. Above the front bumper the commanding solid grille and lower positioned headlight design creates a smooth, one-motion surface that continues with an integrated linear flow over the hood, windshield and roof. From the lower air intake back, a planted bottom edge holds the design securely to the road.

All lines culminate at the rear into a substantial multi-horizontal form and tidy rear diffuser. The strength of the rear styling is accentuated by the roofline spoiler and forward slant of the rear window. Combination taillights expand powerfully into an angular form with reflectors rising to the roof. The lights are balanced below by the rear bumper edge flares with a similar but inverted shape. The solid bar garnish between the rear window solid hatch echoes the front grille design for a unified feel, on EX and EX-L models the garnish is rich chrome.

The new, fresh and sporty interior styling of the 2015 Fit starts with a large glass area providing an open, airy interior environment and giving not only a sense of spaciousness but also providing the driver with excellent visibility. The sophisticated and dynamic all-black interior with contrasting upgraded materials includes soft touch points and is accented with silver trim. The sporty, blue backlit three-dial instrument panel including a Multi Information Display (MID), 5-inch Monitor Audio (LX grade) or for the first time offered on a Fit, the 7-inch Display Audio on EX and EX-L grades. Comfortable and spacious seats with high-quality fabric have an appealing geometric pattern on the LX trim and a sporty and dynamic pattern on the EX. For the first time, Fit also offers the upscale luxury of a leather-trimmed cabin in the EX-L grade. In addition to the leather trim on the seats, the Fit EX-L includes a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob as well as heated front seats. The flowing lines and contrasting materials of the cabin mirror the sportiness of the exterior and provide a sophisticated yet relaxing richness.