DETROIT – Auto industry analysts say the Honda Fit is in its best shape yet.
Honda promises the 2015 version is faster, more efficient and more fun. The car boasts added interior space and better handling.
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Inside the vehicle, there are nearly 5 cubic feet of added passenger space and rear-seat legroom. It also has more than 52 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seats folded down. That's enough for two sets of golf clubs.
On the outside, the 2015 Fit is shorter and slightly wider than the current model. The front and rear wheels are farther apart for improved handling. There is also a new grille and headlights, larger ties, and LED tail lights along the hatch.
The 2015 Fit also has a bigger engine, that contains more horsepower, and a six-speed manual transmission. Honda engineers say the new engine will rev lower at highway speeds to make the car quieter.
"It's a subcompact with larger-than-life capabilities," says John Mendel, vice president of U.S. sales for Honda.
Possibly the biggest selling point is gas mileage. Honda claims the Fit will get 41 mpg on the highway, 33 mpg in the city and 36 mpg combined.
Last year, Fit sales grew 7.5 percent to 52,944.
The car's biggest competitors are the Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Accent.
The Honda Fit is made in Mexico, and will be available to buy in the spring of 2015.