2009 Honda Fit - Powered by I-VTEC - Sport Compact Car Magazine

We like Honda's Fit. You might expect that we're supposed to-it's compact, it's sort of a car, and it's sort of sporty-but we have better reasons. Simply put, gas isn't getting any cheaper, and the more we boost our turbocharged project cars, the more we need reliable daily transportation. And hey, if the Fit can manage 35 mpg on the highway, carry the slicks and the toolbox to the track, and cost less than $15,000 brand-spankin'-new, count us in.

Depending on which trim and transmission you choose, $14,550-$18,750 can buy you Honda reliability. For $1,500, the Fit Sport adds 16-inch wheels and thicker 185/55/16 rubber (you read that right, the regular Fit gets 175/65/15), a rear antiroll bar, foglights, a body kit and spoiler, the killer steering wheel of the Civic Si, paddle shifters on the auto, and a lot more. Also available on the Fit Sport is Honda's top-notch navigation and vehicle stability control.

Both trim levels get a 117bhp in-line four, this time with real 16-valve i-VTEC, as opposed to the previous engine, which used a less-complex valve shutout system to generate 109 bhp. As you probably guessed, it's still no speed demon, but the Honda is plenty peppy for freeway driving.

Even when canyon carving, there's no denying that the relatively light (2,520 pound) Fit Sport is downright fun, with its new 13.8:1 steering rack offering up a truly sporting character. If it weren't for the giant blind spots created by the big front-quarter windows, we could be convinced that we were in an EF Civic Si. We're having fun, but understeer is resolute-nothing that can't be fixed with a bigger rear antiroll bar.

Of course, that faithful old EF didn't have the torsion beam rear suspension that this one does. What can they say? It's an evil that was necessary to have a cargo area with 20.6-cubic-feet of storage space, and to be honest, it takes a finely tuned rear end to notice the absence of a fully independent rear end.

The Fit can be had with either an automatic or manual transmission, and we're hoping you won't break up with us when we say we'll take our Fit Sport with paddle shifters (speak for yourself, Brad -AH). It gets the same gas mileage as the manual transmission (27/33 city/hwy), is less of a hassle in rush hour, and it's almost as much fun.

Inside, there's more of the stuff that made the last Fit so cool: flip-up or -down rear seats can now be actuated by a single pull, regardless of front seat position; the refresh mode is no longer, but you and your significant other can still "refresh" in the back seats; and there's a compartment under the back seat, two gloveboxes, and 10 cupholders.

If you're looking for an economical daily driver, and you're not into the hybrid thing (we don't blame you), go buy a new Fit. Just don't expect to waste any Camaros anytime soon.