Peter Palmer: 2019 Honda Fit Arrives: A Brief Walk Around

The 2019 Honda Fit will arrive at dealerships beginning Monday April 30th. The lineup is expansive with options to fancy every taste, from the entry-level LX to the EX-L with Navigation at the top of the mountain. Drivers wanting something a little more spunky will likely enjoy the new Fit Sport trim. We took the Fit Sport on a spin recently and thought it had ample interior room, a quiet ride, and solid overall performance.

Extensive Updates

For 2019, Auto High-Beams are added to Honda Sensing-equipped models, and a new Platinum Pearl White replaces White Orchid Pearl. Updates last year included retuned suspension dampers, a new acoustic glass windshield, and improved insulation throughout the vehicle.

More efficient packaging, such as the fuel tank being mounted underneath the front seats, provides 52.7 cubic-feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Honda says this figure is class-leading.

Photo: Honda North America.

Power & Performance

The 2019 Honda Fit features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection that creates 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft. of torque. Two transmissions are available: a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). EPA fuel economy ratings are 29/36/31 (city/highway/combined) for the manual and 33/40/36 for the CVT.

Safety & Security

The Honda Sensing package is available for the CVT-equipped LX and Sport models but standard on every EX and EX-L. Honda Sensing includes collision and road departure mitigation and warning systems, lane keeping assist technology, and Adaptive Cruise Control among others. Honda says the Fit was designed to achieve a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Honda Fit Sport: Photo: Honda North America.

Technology & Comfort

All 2019 Fit models receive a rearview camera and Bluetooth capability; Sport models and above see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration through a seven-inch touchscreen and a 180-watt six-speaker audio system. The Fix EX has push button start, satellite radio, and even a moonroof, while the EX-L adds heated, leather-trimmed seats and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

Pricing

The 2019 Honda Fit starts at $17,080 for the LX with the manual transmission or $17,880 for the CVT. The Sport starts anywhere from $18,390 to $20,190 depending on options. The EX starts at $19,050 for the manual or $19,850 for the CVT. The EX-L comes in at $21,140 while the EX-L with Navigation beeps across the scanner for $22,140.

2019 Fits for the U.S. market are manufactured at Honda’s Celaya, Mexico plant.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.