Vehicle Reviews

"While "doing my homework" about the Hybrid Honda Fit (compared to my existing standard petrol 2007 Fit) I learned a couple of useful hints - first, as well as an AA check, get the nearest Honda dealer to perform a "full electrical check including the hybrid system" to get a report on the state of the Hybrid battery pack. They aren't as expensive to replace as they used to be, but should be factored into your purchase price as to how long the pack might last. Secondly, definitely consider replacing the 12v battery in a fresh import Fit Hybrid, because its likely to be the original battery from Honda Japan and may well be weak (as this one was found to be) and this actually affects the fuel efficiency of the Hybrid powertrain's electronic control system. This isn't as noticeable as in a normal car where you might notice it struggling to start the engine on a cold day, even after being charged by an alternator - instead, it acts like an auxiliary battery for all the car's12v systems, while starting and charging is actually done by the hybrid motor/generator section connected to the high voltage Hybrid battery pack in the rear of the car, and a stepson converter charged the 12v batter from the high voltage one. After having my Honda dealer replace the original 12v battery (dealer necessary, to make sure the Fit ECU and Hybrid control system are properly rebooted), the hybrid system showed an immediate improvement in the percentage of time it decided that the hybrid battery could be used to boost acceleration, and indeed I can now see the car ECU deciding it it happy to drive as a pure EV on battery alone for short distances around town (when under 50km/hr) which it didn't do during my delivery trip and first few days at home. Just 2 other general Honda notes to the unaware (I knew already ahead of purchase) that 1. all import Honda Fit (including the hybrids) since 2007 don't carry a spare tire, not even a space saver, compared to the Aus/NZ market cars. Instead you get an air compressor and a liquid gum bottle repair system. This won't worry most kiwis, but if its your only car, you may want to investigate getting a spare rim from a wrecker to put a spare tyre one to keep in the garage). 2. Honda car keys are wickedly expensive to get replacements for if you lose the only one you have, so if comparing two identical vehicles, get the one with an extra key! Getting a spare non-remote key cut and programmed is costly enough (around $300 or so), but getting a spare key with remote door lock buttons on it costs a lot more, and for the "smart Key" equipped vehicles (where you don't need to insert the key in the ignition, it just needs to be in your pocket inside the car) I have been quoted around $1000 for a spare "smart key" programmed to the car, and it must be done by the dealer as proprietary Honda ECU service software is needed to make the car accept the newly coded key."