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Fit easily outscores competitors including Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Aveo and Suzuki SX4. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=186290)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Honda_Fit_Sport3.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Feb. 2, 2009

2009 Honda Fit Sport with an AT – 31 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.

Yonkers, NY -- The 2009 Honda Fit outpaced its competitors including the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa in Consumer Reports' latest test of six subcompacts and small sedans for the March issue. The Fit remains CR's highest-rated subcompact.

The Honda Fit became a white hot seller when gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon and remains the only non-hybrid that is still selling well after taking into account the current recession and falling fuel prices.

The 2009 Honda Fit is slightly larger then the 2008 predecessor it replaced and improves on the space-efficient formula that made the last first generation such a hit.

"The Fit seems roomier on the inside than you might expect, with an interior that is unusually versatile and flexible--and cargo capacity rivaling that of a small SUV," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. "Lightness and agility make the Fit fun to drive, the powertrain is smooth and willing, and fuel economy is enviable."

Consumer Reports tested two trim lines of the Fit, a base model with an automatic transmission and a manual upscale Sport model, both of which earned "Very Good" overall road test scores. CR also tested two other subcompacts, a base model Toyota Yaris and a Chevrolet Aveo5, both of which scored "Good" overall; and two small sedans, the Suzuki SX4 and Nissan Versa, both of which were rated Very Good overall.

Prices for the six cars in CR's tests range from $16,020 for the base Fit to $17,378 for the Suzuki SX4.

The Fit and the SX4 are the only vehicles from this month's test group that are Recommended by Consumer Reports because they both performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

The Versa sedan's reliability is much below average; reliability for the hatchback Versa has been average. The Aveo and Yaris scored too low in CR's tests to be recommended.

CR's engineers found the new Fit the most practical and enjoyable car in this month's group. It has easy cabin access and a panoramic view. It also comes well equipped and has comfortable seating. The base Fit ($16,020 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested) and Fit Sport ($16,730 MSRP as tested) are powered by a 118 hp, 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine that delivers quick takeoffs but doesn't brim with power. The Fit Sport's easy shifting five-speed manual transmission adds sportiness; the five-speed automatic in the base model is more relaxed, with lower engine speed on the highway. Braking was rated Very Good. Fuel economy is an impressive 33 mpg overall in the Fit Sport and 30 mpg overall in the base model with the automatic.

The Versa has a nicely made, well-appointed interior. It rides pleasantly and quietly, and the powertrain feels refined. The rear seat is enormous for a small car. Handling is sound but not really agile, and it's tricky at the limits. Its 27 mpg overall fuel economy is not impressive. The Versa 1.8S ($16,130 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 122-horsepower, 1.8 liter, four-cylinder engine that accelerates adequately; the four-speed automatic is smooth and responsive. Interior storage is modest, but trunk space is quite generous. Braking is very good.

The compactly-sized Yaris is ideal for tight spaces, making it a good city car. Its gets very good fuel economy at 30 mpg overall and has some nice interior touches such as a rear seat that adjusts fore and aft and three glove compartments. Handling is responsive but can be tricky at the limits. The base model Yaris ($16,095 MSRP as tested) is equipped with a 106 horsepower, 1.5 liter, four-cylinder engine that feels lively enough around town but lacks reserve power for the highway. The four-speed automatic shifts smoothly. Braking is excellent.

Despite recent updates, the Aveo remains unpleasant, outdated, and overpriced for what you get. Acceleration is slow, the engine is rough and noisy, handling is clumsy, and the ride is jumpy. Fuel economy at 26 mpg overall is poor for its class, and reliability has been below average. The Aveo51LT ($16,470 MSRP as tested) is powered by an anemic 106 horsepower, 1.6 liter, four-cylinder engine, and the four-speed automatic transmission isn't very responsive. Braking performance is very good.

Ah, Chevie, does this mean your Aveo-goose is cooked? (Or will you now say with such certainty, "North Americans don't want small compact fuel-efficient cars, cause lookit, they won't buy the Aveo"?)

I'd be hard-pressed to justify the $16,000 Fit over the $9,990 Versa 1.6. That $6,000 difference will buy a lot of gas, and the Versa is several steps above the Korean Daewoo-made Aveo.

Hi Darrell:

___The $16,000 Fit hatch is quite a few rungs above the $10K Versa in every aspect. I like the Base with CC but no arm rest/center console is a bit bothersome :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I pretty much think the Aevo was made lousy on purpose. GM likes to waste money designing cars that are simple made to upsell people into SUVs

Ah, Chevie, does this mean your Aveo-goose is cooked? (Or will you now say with such certainty, "North Americans don't want small compact fuel-efficient cars, cause lookit, they won't buy the Aveo"?)

Actually, I think GM needed a small car and Daewoo had one.

Hi Darrell:

___The $16,000 Fit hatch is quite a few rungs above the $10K Versa in every aspect. I like the Base with CC but no arm rest/center console is a bit bothersome :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne,

I have a 09 Fit Sport MT, and actually there is sort of a center arm rest. It folds down off the side of the driver's seat. If one goes with the AT, there is a center console available as an extra, but I would think that for that price, it should be included. I really wanted it for my MT, but they don't even offer it for the MT since I guess it would get in the way of shifting. :mad: Ah well.

Jeremy

I'd be hard-pressed to justify the $16,000 Fit over the $9,990 Versa 1.6. That $6,000 difference will buy a lot of gas, and the Versa is several steps above the Korean Daewoo-made Aveo.

There is no doubt the Fit is nicer than the Versa or our Yaris, but nicer doesn't matter to everyone and in our case Money made our choice. I can't remember the exact figure anymore, but an equally equipped Fit was nearly $3000 more than our Yaris. It had better be nicer for that kind of price difference. Over 10% is no small thing in this segment.

Affordability factored in heavily in my choice also. Both the Fit and Yaris were providing impressive mpg numbers in my research so that was a tossup. The Fit was more car than I really needed, I was after the 5 day a week commuter vehicle. Maybe once or twice a year there would be more than me in it, the dog 4 or 5 times a year, and weekly groceries for one in the back. Fit [no pun intended], finish and luxury were not part of the decision, something dependable, affordable and economical were. Can you even get the Fit with manual windows?

I took all the reviews with a grain of salt when they described power, handling, interior noise and cabin accommodations. Anything was going to be a major improvement over the vehicle I was driving at the time! I’ve been happier than a dog digging holes with the Yaris so far.

The Fit is just about the perfect "sensible" car. Price, quality and function all match very well.

(Add a smaller euro engine with the taller gearing and it would be.)

With the Versa or Aveo with an out the door price of below $10,000. It is hard to justify the extra $7000 to buy the fit if you are looking at price.

Except... the Versa hatch doesn't come in anywhere near that 10k price ;). Is it fair to compare the non-hatch version to the Fit? The nissan hatch starts at 13k (which is irksome as the commercials always show the hatch with the catch phrase "starting at just 9999"). I would consider it at 10k, but not 13k.

Hi Jud:

___It is not the upfront price you have to consider, it is the total cost of ownership.

___In the same breathe, the out the door price on a Fit is $14K (not $17K unless you were to compare the loaded up Aveo at $19K :rolleyes:) and its TCO is actually lower than the Versa and Aveo. When you have to drive a car for 5-years and the Fit costs less to own over the period then either the Aveo or Versa, it is a lot to consider.

___The Fit is that much nicer of a vehicle. The Yaris is my favorite however given the better FE but it too is not even close to the Fit’s interior feel, fit, finish and accommodations.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

The Fit is just about the perfect "sensible" car. Price, quality and function all match very well.

(Add a smaller euro engine with the taller gearing and it would be.)

Exactly.

Comparing three cars, equipped as close to identical as possible, yields the following result:
Versa $11,935
Yaris $12,135(after current rebate of $750)
Fit $15,420
I would buy the Yaris.

Being prone to the occasional bout of spirited driving, I have to say the Fit has it. It really is what the reviews make it out to be. The Toyota is a bit too vanilla bean, and the Versa... other than suffering the most basic of auto design flaws - it just doesn't look right in certain colors - the back seat folds down, but not flat. What is the point of that in a hatch?

I agree with Maxx. The Yaris doesn't offer much of a driving experience. It's not always about FE - I need a car I can look forward to driving anytime! The Fit has the spirit of a little terrier: high strung and happy to go anywhere, but still doesn't eat much. :)

I agree with Maxx. The Yaris doesn't offer much of a driving experience. It's not always about FE - I need a car I can look forward to driving anytime! The Fit has the spirit of a little terrier: high strung and happy to go anywhere, but still doesn't eat much. :)

That's what i like about driving the smart.

My wife likes the Yaris best because it's cutest. I'm not a Toyota fan in general, and definitely not a Yaris fan in particular.

I like the Fit best because of the driving dynamics, the versatility (exceptional even by 5-door standards) and the fact that it's a Honda. Put a hybrid drivetrain in it and you have my dream car. (And yes, I know that's basically what the Insight II is! :drool: )

I like the Versa best for value, especially if I have to pay MSRP. Even the $3k difference is hard to justify (sorry, sedans are not an option for me so the $5k-cheaper Versa stripper sedan is an apples-and-giraffes comparison as far as I'm concerned). Despite the somewhat lower mpg, I think I could be satisfied with the Versa -- although if I bought one, I still think deep down I'd long for the Fit! ;)