The Fit holds four full-size adults and 20 cubic feet of stuff, and gets 30-plus mpg. Below, a view of the instrument panel and driving compartment.

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Does the 2009 Honda Fit look like a great work of art? Well, it depends on what you consider beautiful.

All new for 2009, the Fit has more expressive styling, but its basic proportions make its utilitarian mission clear. This isn’t a glamour queen, a flashy car you take to dinner on a Saturday night. Nope, it’s a workhorse, but a masterful one.

Its diminutive exterior belies its bountiful interior. Consider this: The Fit holds four full-sized Americans and 20 cubic feet worth of stuff yet returns 30-plus mpg. You have to wonder why folks find an SUV ideal for suburban shuttling.

Obviously, someone at Honda wondered the same thing. Three years ago, the company brought the Honda Jazz to the states and renamed it the Fit. At the time, it seemed out of step with consumer demand; Americans were still infatuated with large SUVs. But come the summer of 2008, and gas prices that bordered on extortion, Honda’s move looked not only prescient, but well-timed.

And while demand for the car has slackened along with gas prices, the car is still every bit the space capsule. Now that gas prices are climbing again, its demand may soar like a rocket.

Don’t believe me? Visit your local Honda store with three of your beefiest friends or family members. Bring along a loaded duffel bag to stash in the back. You’ll be amazed: Everyone fits. Who designed this thing? David Copperfield?

The Fit’s perfect fit is no accident. It’s 4.2 inches longer this year. While the vehicle’s overall height remains the same, interior headroom has increased 0.4 inches.

And it’s not just bigger, it’s also stronger. Honda engineers added high-strength steel and stiffeners at key points throughout the car’s structure to improve its collision performance and reduce vibration.

In the hot seat, you can feel the improvements. The stiffness gives the car a better feel. That allows you to make the most of the Fit’s 1.5-liter mill. Horsepower is now rated at 117, up 8 horses from 2008.

A five-speed transmission, either manual or automatic, is offered. The automatic comes with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to control the car manually. Before you decide, consider that the automatic gets 1 to 2 more miles per gallon than the manual. If you like to row your own gears, you’ll pay a penalty at pump.

The car has all of the DNA that one expects of a small Honda — a peppy engine, tossable feel, great seats and good ergonomics.

And the view ahead is expansive, thanks to a large, sloping windshield and small secondary windows just aft of the windshield. Look around the car, and you’ll find the view is good on all directions.

And when it comes time to haul something, just fold down the rear seat. It’s easily done with a flip of a lever. No headrest to remove. It neatly stores with the seat. Any downsides? Well, there are no center armrests in the front or rear. That omission gets tiresome on long trips. Also, the center console lacks a covered storage bin to hide valuables from prying eyes.

Finally, opting for the Sport model nets mainly cosmetic and convenience features. While it’s nice to have a navigation system and satellite radio, both of which were on the test car, a fully loaded Sport pushes 20 grand. That’s a lot for a car that starts at just under $15,000.

But those are quibbles. The truth is, the Honda Fit is even better for 2009.

Eschewing the growth hormones that Honda has been injecting into its larger vehicles, the Fit embodies the tight, fun efficiency that has led the automaker to the top of the charts.

Obviously, true beauty is more than skin deep.2009 Honda Fit

What we say: Small wonder

Pro: Frugal, spacious, spunky

Con: Not a looker

Stats:

Engine: 1.5-liter SOHC four-cylinder

Wheelbase: 98.4 inches

Length: 161.6 inches

Weight: 2,615 pounds

Cargo space: 20.6-57.3 cubic feet

EPA rating (city/highway): 27/33 mpg

Fuel economy: 37 mpg

Fuel type: Regular unleaded

Base price: $18,960

As tested: $19,630