2018 Honda Fit Sport

The new Honda Fit sport doesn’t feature a turbocharger, track-tuned suspension or R-compound tires. A downsized Civic Type R it is not.

It is, however, a sportier take on the Fit, meaning an aero kit and glossy black wheels. We’ll turn to Honda for the complete description of this new sub-model:

“The new Fit Sport trim features an even more aggressive and sporty look with aero form features at the front, sides and rear, integrated fog lights, and a low and sharp front splitter highlighted in bright orange. An exclusive gloss-black finish on the 16-inch alloy wheels further adds to the sporty look. At the rear, a three-strake diffuser with bright orange upper trim line, chrome exhaust finisher and Sport badge complete the Fit Sport's distinct exterior styling.

“On the inside, the Fit Sport distinguishes itself with a black interior with unique cross-hatched fabric for the seats and door trim. The exterior's orange accent theme continues inside with bright orange stitching on the seats, console-mounted armrest, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.”

Other staff views

We spent a few days with this car while up in Denver. I’m including the word “up” in the description of Denver because, as you likely know, it’s up there–up where power starts to get sapped away.

Despite just the little 1.5-liter engine, the Fit Sport felt peppy in metro Denver–about a mile above sea level. It wasn’t quite as peppy at 7000-plus feet above sea level, but that’s to be expected. Going from 7700 feet up back to 5280 feet up didn’t produce any drama, even on tight switchbacks. The chassis felt cool and composed, even as the flurries started to fly.

Here’s the big thing: Our test car had a real, six-speed gearbox. And, yes, being able to manually shift the Fit was wonderful. The pedals are easy to heel-toe. The seats offer great support. The controls feel solid. The Fit in any form simply doesn’t feel like an entry-level offering.

We’re not calling the Fit Sport the second coming of the original Civic Si, but in today’s world, it’s a practical, fun way to move people and their stuff. And at $17,500 for the Sport, it’s also one of the least expensive ways to get into a new Fit.

Comments

sleepyhead GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
2/15/18 1:57 p.m.

I think I bought my 2008 for the same msrp back in August 2008. It's still doing well with the second owner. So it's interesting to see big "H" being able to stay ahead of inflation...

although, otoh, all that marketing speak sounds like: "we made these minor visual tweaks to get two more years out of this design before a platform refresh"

i think it'd be real fun to take an L15B7 6-speed LSD'd Fit to OneLap... it mightcould keep up with the Fiestas... and easily swallow up track gear. Maybe 2021?

Pete Gossett GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/15/18 7:20 p.m.

In reply to sleepyhead :

It's also about the same as we paid for our '09 Fit Sport. It's at almost 190k, belongs to our daughter & son-in-law, and is in Germany with them.

malibuguy GRM+ Memberand Reader
2/15/18 7:42 p.m.

My wife got a new Fit sport about a month ago with the cvt. Excellent little car and the cvt is actually fantastic in this application

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
2/16/18 8:15 a.m.

malibuguy said:
My wife got a new Fit sport about a month ago with the cvt. Excellent little car and the cvt is actually fantastic in this application

I was genuinely surprised to a find a stick shift in our test car. I didn't complain at all but was still surprised.

Driven5 SuperDork
2/16/18 10:07 a.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

It's about time you got something that you guys actually wanted to write about. You had been getting some real duds for a while there, which led to reviews that...Shall we say...Left something to be desired.

NickD UltraDork
2/16/18 10:21 a.m.

If the current Si uses an L15-based 1.5L turbo, could you mix and match your way into a 200hp never-was Fit Si?

The0retical UltraDork
2/16/18 10:29 a.m.

Does it feel like less of a penalty box than a Versa Note does?

Also the base Mazda 3 hatchback is $2k more not inconsequential money but close. Does it offer anything that the base trim Mazda 3 would be lacking?

The Fit has always interested me, not on for the potential for a K24 swap, but because their owners tend to be zealots. I'm not sure if it's that good or if it's just confirmation bias.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
2/16/18 11:14 a.m.

Driven5 said:
In reply to David S. Wallens :

It's about time you got something that you guys actually wanted to write about. You had been getting some real duds for a while there, which led to reviews that...Shall we say...Left something to be desired.

For the regular reviews, I admit, we get what it's in the regional press car queue. It could be a Civic Type R one week, an SUV the next, and then something unexpected. I can make requests, which I do for special features, but what you're seeing online does reflect the realities of that system. Also, for every Type R currently available, there's like a million "normal" cars. For the Fit, let's just say that a friend at Honda pulled a string for me while I was traveling. (It was the Fit or a minivan.)

This week we have a Benz E400 coupe. I am not complaining.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
2/16/18 11:15 a.m.

The0retical said:
Does it feel like less of a penalty box than a Versa Note does?

Also the base Mazda 3 hatchback is $2k more not inconsequential money but close. Does it offer anything that the base trim Mazda 3 would be lacking?

The Fit has always interested me, not on for the potential for a K24 swap, but because their owners tend to be zealots. I'm not sure if it's that good or if it's just confirmation bias.

I wouldn't call the Fit a penalty box at all. It felt a bit more upmarket than its price would suggest.

A friend of mine recently replaced an early Fit with a new one.