Alx

Packed with safety features like side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes, the new Honda Fit will come out of the box at $13,850. Tacking on an automatic transmission brings the price up to $14,650, but with only 109 hp on tap we recommend you stick with the stick. A sporty version with cruise control, spoilers and a 160-watt sound system starts at $15,970, although we're not sure which of those components actually contributes to sportiness. Look for the Fit in showrooms on April 20th.

[Source: Honda]

Centurion

It doesn't seem to be too sporty to me. It looks like a mini MPV.

Alx

Theres a lot of cars like this that do very well in the states, Toyota Matrix, Kia has one, Pontiac Vibe,a nd some others... they sell pretty well and are good market priced cars with much space. Perhaps this is the best of the bunch, the price is rediculously low.

MikeJ

This is the Honda that we know as Jazz... I've read many favorable reviews but haven't seen that many around.

Giannis

These cars are nice, practical and spacious. The only thing i don't like about these cars are their interiors. Cheap plastics and awful design. Other than that they are nice. And about the HP, they don't need more. 109hp is fine for this car...

Osnabrueck

The Jazz was a quiet success for Honda in Germany. The floorplan is smart, and the seating configurations leave little to desire. I was really hoping that the Fit/Jazz would be a completely new model for the US, but instead we're getting a facelifted model that's practically at its midlife point.

I'm not sure if this was the smartest move for Honda. The runaway success of Scion signaled to everybody and their mom that compact hatches are a must-have in any product range. The Fit fills the bill on paper, but I'm not sure if the "me too, I'm rice" approach is the best way to go when the European Civic hatchback would be a much more compelling car and would work to advance Honda's image. (On the other hand, the EU Civic Hatch might not fit well with price point and "space concept")

Giannis, I don't know what you mean about cheap plastics. For what it's worth, Honda fills their budget-priced cars with a very respectible level of interior quality. I've never sat in a Honda that felt like the interior was somehow beneath what should be expected for the price of entry.

Alx

Pricing would have been the issue for sure, and all and all this is a right fit, for the money its incredible and might suit many needs. It would be nice to see this int he US as well... It a good market to compete with, especially with likes of Ford Focus, and Potiac Vibe.... Its a killer and being its a Honda, thats a major plus for such buyers.... RELIABILTIY!