Americans downsizing cars for greater fuel economy in this era of $US3-a-gallon petrol might get some reassurance on safety now that the 2007 Honda Fit [Jazz] has earned the highest “5-star” safety rating for frontal crash performance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
“The Fit has the highest level of standard safety equipment of any car in its competitive set,” claimed American Honda senior vice president John Mendel.
Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all US market Fit models.
The car also has three-point seat belts at all seating positions, as well as two Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) positions in the rear seats.
Anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD) are available.
American Honda said it would complete the first phase of its “Safety for Everyone” initiative this year by voluntarily putting extensive levels of standard safety equipment on all its vehicles, with the exception of two small volume models (the S2000 sportscar and the Insight hybrid which will be axed in September).
Honda also claims to be is the first and only auto manufacturer in the US to list the NHTSA crash test “star” ratings on the new vehicle window display stickers mandatory in the market.
In a seven-way comparison test drive, Car and Driver magazine recently selected the Fit as its first choice among vehicles under $15,000.
