There’s a report from a Japanese business publication that Honda will release a Fit Hybrid in late 2010. That might sound like strange news when you consider the recent release of the 2010 Honda Insight, which is based on the Fit platform. And indeed, I would have to agree. Two hybrid hatchbacks based on the same platform?
I like the Fit, for what it is. A reasonably affordable subcompact, reasonably fun to drive, and absolutely cavernous interior space. Couple that with Honda’s reliability and solid gas mileage – it’s a winner. Adding a hybrid option could only make things better. But I simply don’t see what consumer this could serve, that wouldn’t be served just as well with an Insight. Anyone have any thoughts here?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Speaking personally, the Fit’s layout is much more desirable than that of the new Insight. Then there are numerous details where the second generation Fit wins. The “magic” rear seat, which folds up, makes a perfect space for one’s dog. The Fit has less restricted rear view. The ability to put an MP3/iPod into a special upper glove box, and leave it there, out of sight, is nice. That cavernous interior you mentioned. The fact that they share a base platform has little to do with which vehicle appeals to which customer, I think.
I don’t think that’s overkill at all. The Fit is smaller, and a Fit hybrid would be cheaper than the Insight. If ALL models of a manufacturer were hybrids, they’d still have different sizes and models anyway, right?
I’m not terribly sure that the Fit will be cheaper than the Insight. After all, an automatic Fit Sport is already $17970 – nearly eighteen grand. A rougly comparably equipped Insight EX is $22010. That’s just a $4k difference – not a ton of room to undercut the Insight there.
Again I’m not against a Fit Hybrid on principle – the more hybrids the better, really. But I do want to see Honda succeed financially, so they can keep making fantastic cars. From a business standpoint, I don’t see any point to building a Fit Hybrid.
Four grand is a lot of money in this price bracket, about 20%. The difference down to the base model from the sport is less than two grand. I also agree the Fit is better layed out than the Insight. I would consider a Fit hybrid, but not an Insight and I am in the market for a Fit.