[Red]

The LA Times published a hit piece, well relatively, on the new 2015 Honda FIT. This is of note to us because A, the FIT is the HR-V and B, its been the only negative piece on the new FIT. Considering the HR-V/Vezel is based on the same platform architecture as the Honda FIT, are there any gems of insight we can pick up?

Right off the bat you can tell something is amiss...

The Honda Fit was easily the best subcompact on the market — great fun to drive and a deft mix of efficiency, interior space and value.

Then Honda discovered that fun doesn't sell.

The next part I find rather disingenuous, the author goes on to state, arbitrarily I might add, that the reason the FIT's sales were lagging behind the Sonic, Fiesta and Accent was because the FIT was TOO fun to drive. Oh really? Perhaps the low sales figures were due to lack of supply coming from the Japanese facility that was the lone supplier at the time... He continues to show his ignorance when castrating the new CVT gear box.

But this CVT let the engine drone on when a conventional automatic transmission would have shifted already — surprising, since this gearbox is nearly identical to the one that Honda uses in the Civic and Accord, which have some of the best-programmed CVTs on the market.

I'm sorry my friend, but that is how CVT's work, there is no shifting. Honda has still not released the official HR-V drivetrain configurations, but in Japan the Petrol Vezel's 1.5L 4 pot is mated to a CVT.

I will say this mans crucifixion does not sit well with what I've been able to glean from Japanese reviews of the Vezel. Like this one for instance...

The fact is, the gasoline version gives plenty back even when driven more assertively. Admittedly, the catalogue specs for the equipped engine is slightly different from the catalogue specs for the hybrid but it has the same 1.5 liter capacity. It’s just lacking a motor, so to speak. However, the car is 90kg lighter (compared to the Hybrid Z), and upon further inspection, that calculates to 30kg in front and 60kg in the back. Whether it's the success of those proportions, or the quality acceleration resulting from the CVT, the Honda Vezel’s gasoline version offers a drive that’s completely faithful to its driver. The paddle shifts are effective here, too.

At any rate, the cars elegant and graceful carriage were both memorable. The effect of the matching 17-inch tires and suspension are felt in the cabin of the gasoline version as well. The car rides very well.

Or this one

[quote]All Vezel models feature Sachs dampers, and while the Eco Special 16-inch tires do make the Vezel feel a bit light when driving, when compared to the hybrid model with its 17-inch normal tires and design, it seems rather ordinary.

The Vezel never lacks the necessary power. The ride is, if anything, pleasantly mild compared to the hybrid model's overly stiff, sporty character. However, on the whole, the ride never feels especially clean or refreshing, and is a bit noisy. This is because the Eco Special tires' road noise and the exhaust sounds creep in through the rear cabin, due to the lack of the tonneau cover and luggage room hardboard that the hybrid model's premium interior are equipped with.

n short, the design (especially the interior color coordination and the area around the dashboard) and the feel of the ride are overwhelmingly better in the hybrid model Vezel. In fact, nearly 80% of the Vezel orders have been for the hybrid model.[/quote]

I have to believe those issues will be fixed for the American market. Even so they are rather mild complaints. So either Honda fixes the Petrol HR-V or they will in fact be bringing over the Hybrid model to impart a premium feel. We'll see.

But the LA Times did have some good things to say, which we're also confirmed by our Japanese friends.

The space is also versatile. The rear seat backs fold flat for more cargo room, while the rear seat cushions flip up to accommodate upright items on the floor. The front passenger seat also leans all the way back to make room for extra-long storage.
Five tall people can fit in this car comfortably, without knocking heads, shoulders, elbows or knees.

Which is not surprising considering the outoging FIT was cavernous inside, Japan has similar feelings as well...

The dive-down/tip-up rear seats offer 13cm of headroom for a standard 172cm passenger, and the 24cm of legroom compare very favorably to, say, Subaru's hybrid's 15.5cm. The seat arrangement capabilities and feel are both excellent.

Universally the FIT's fuel economy is praised. However the one worry I do harbour is that with the HR-V's expanded dimensions and additional kit over the FIT (AWD mainly) fuel economy is going to take a hit.

The idea is to meld the charm of a coupe, the practicality of a minivan, and the value of an SUV. While it's based on the Fit's center tank layout, the Vezel extends the hatchback by 80mm.

Anyways, all that's left to do is wait...

 

[Harry_Wild]

Honda sales leader CR-V is based on the Civic. The Vezel be out since 2012!

Honda has had 3 years to make improvements to the rebranded HR-V(ezel).

 

[cfrp]

I test drove a Fit and a rather liked it

 

[Red]

Honda sales leader CR-V is based on the Civic. The Vezel be out since 2012!

Honda has had 3 years to make improvements to the rebranded HR-V(ezel).

Yep, I've no issues with either CRV or HRV being based on (sub) compacts. But there has been complaints that the new FIT is a bit gutless, and the one major concern I have is that if the FIT is gutless and the HR-V will be heavier (guaranteed) how much more gutless can gutless get?

 

[cfrp]

that was just the one review really

the new fit should be sportier than the old one

 

[vtec]

It should hopefully, they need to it to stay as sporty as it is or more.

 

[Red]

that was just the one review really

the new fit should be sportier than the old one

thats impossible. They softened the suspension and the car has gotten heavier. I'm not saying its as tragic as the LAT made it seem, but its definitely not sportier than the outgoing.

 

[cfrp]

ill reserve the judgement to the test drive

it also has more powerr. and one more gear.

 

[TrueNorth]

that was just the one review really

the new fit should be sportier than the old one

What makes you think that the new FIT is sportier than the last? What changes actually make it sportier than the last one?

 

[cfrp]

more gears.. more power?

 

[Harry_Wild]

Maybe they will use the "Jazz" model instead of the "Fit" model to as the underpinnings for the new HR-V! European Honda models are always more sportier then U.S. Honda models. Just a joke so do go "crazy" posting - outrage at me! LOL!

 

[cfrp]

i thought the jazz and fit used the same platform ??

 

[dchri2]

soft ride on new fit platform

I have a 2007 fit with 158000 miles on it. Those miles weren't accumulated being sporty. I don't think making more highway comparable is a a bad idea. I'm looking at repeating a purchase and wouldn't mind a little softer ride. Having a Japanese built Fit I'm not to sure I'm keen on Mexican built. They seem to have some early quality issues. We'll see whether this is permanent or growing pains. My decision for 2015 will depend on quality, cost, mpg, and winter driving issues. HRV and Fit are strong in the running. I'm really glad to see that they have changed the TPMS to where each tire doesn't have a separate monitor. Snows on separate steel rims becomes a real option again. i was dreading TPMS. I wonder how many people were killed because TPMS discouraged drivers from putting winter tires. Doug