LIKE A GLOVE; THE FIT, HONDA'S NEW LITTLE BIG CAR.(News)

Byline: NATALIE NEFF

The Honda Fit is called the Jazz in other parts of the world, where it has been drowning out the competition since 2001. So as the Fit sets to debut on these shores, already an almost five-year-old car, why does it feel so, well, new?

Because it is new to us-or new again, anyway. Like a creature brought back from the edge of extinction, the Fit is a success story of the automotive Endangered Species Act, if you will. Fit's taxonomy puts it in the subcompact segment, which is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, aided in part by skyrocketing fuel prices and consumer backlash against gas-sucking, road-clogging SUVs.

And while subcompacts have never quite disappeared from the scene, pickings have been slim-and far from inspiring-for some time now. Honda hopes to change that with the Fit.

Powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC inline four-cylinder engine, with 109 horses and 105 lb-ft of torque on tap, the Fit won't break any land-speed records, but it does feel surprisingly meaty (for a Honda) at lower revs. The standard five-speed manual allows for quick access to that power-and with its relatively short throws, an engaging experience-but we're pleasantly surprised to find the optional five-speed automatic doesn't turn the Fit into a slug as we feared. Add the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters from the Sport model, and the automatic-equipped Fit is not a bad choice.

The Fit more than holds its own on the road as its MacPherson-strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension provides a firm ride and spirited handling, with a satisfying dearth of body roll when pushed hard into corners. It's a solid little car, with a chassis that feels-dare we say it-almost sports car-like. Almost.

Yet as fun a car to drive as it is, the Fit's big story lies inside: Its diminutive size at the curb belies the fact the Fit provides plenty of real-world room for five adults.