We've always viewed the Honda Fit as one of the best all-around subcompact choices on the market.
While the little five-door hatchback, last redesigned for 2009, faces increased competition from the likes of the 2011 Ford Fiesta and the new 2012 Hyundai Accent, it's still probably the most versatile subcompact we know of.
It's got the lowest, flattest cargo floor in its class, as well as the most cargo volume. And the various ways you can fold or remove its 60/40-split rear "Magic Seat" makes the Fit the unparalleled champ for moving a lot of stuff in a small car. It's fun to drive too.
For 2012, Honda hasn't tinkered with the formula much, but they've upgraded the styling, and added some standard features to the Fit.
2012 Honda Fit Sport
The mirrors on the entry Fit are now body color, not black, and the Fit Sport gets a revised front-end design plus a darker surface finish for its alloys wheels.
All models receive interior upgrades that include new cup holders and ambient lighting in the console. They also get more sound insulation, plus thicker glass in the triangular front corner window, to reduce cabin noise. (Two new metallic colors, Blue Raspberry and Orangeburst, replace very similar shades from last year.)
The Fit Sport gets dark metallic dashboard trim, replacing the previous two-tone gray and black, and chrome instrument trim. It also now has audio controls as standard on the steering wheel, and a better seat fabric.
Fit Sport models ordered for 2012 with the navigation system now come standard with Bluetooth linking for hands-free calling and phone pairing.
2012 Honda Fit EV
Honda hasn't changed the 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter engine, which returns 28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, for a combined rating of 31 mpg when fitted with the automatic transmission (the Fit Sport is slightly lower).
That falls to 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and a 29-mpg combined rating when the Fit is ordered with the five-speed manual transmission.
Later in the year, Honda will also formally launch its 2012 Honda Fit EV, an electric conversion with a range of up to 100 miles that was first shown at last fall's Los Angeles Auto Show.
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