What's Your Favorite Fuel-Sipper?

In this age of rising gas prices, small, fuel-stingy cars have suddenly become a hot commodity. Gone are the days when teenage boys thought they had to impress girls with supercharged muscle cars and hulking SUVs. Now young Johnny will angle to borrow his mom's Toyota Yaris to take Sally to the prom. Yet despite the 33% rise in sales of subcompacts, the average sale price of these cars has inexplicably dropped 1.4%. Large SUVs, meanwhile, are selling for 4.8% more than they were a year ago, according to USA Today. Experts are at a loss, especially because the used-car market is reflecting fuel prices more predictably: Used fuel-sippers are up, while dealers are discounting large SUVs.

We've been wondering: What's your favorite subcompact? We've listed the usual suspects below (all 2008 model year); now let us know what you think in our comments section.

• Chevy Aveo: $12,170-$13,920 (23-24/32-34 mpg)
• Hyundai Accent: $10,775-$14,795 (24-27/32-33 mpg)
• Nissan Versa: $12,880-$15,640 (24-30/31-36 mpg)
• Toyota Yaris: $11,550-$13,925 (29/35-36 mpg)
• Ford Focus: $14,395-$16,925 (24/33-35 mpg)
• Honda Fit: $13,950-$15,270 (27-28/33-34 mpg)

Comments

the 2009 honda fit, its the perfect size, and its not butt ugly like the versa

I suppose I should say "Hyundai Accent" since I own a 2007 SE 3 door. I run the living hell out of it and with 26,000 miles (already) it has never needed one single warranty repair or adjustment. I've done nothing but gas, oil and filter changes, and rotated the tires. The SE has a GREAT suspension and I believe it's the only one listed above that has a sport tuned suspension option. Although, the Fit is pretty agile as well as the Focus. I average 26-27 with an auto ... not too bad but I would have liked to have seen closer to 30 mpg. I imagine that would happen if I kept my foot out of it. This little engine loves to rev and it's absolutely dead still and silent at idle ... I have to be very careful I don't start it while it's already running. I like the standard safety features that were offered on the '07 SEs ... ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, with front, side, and curtain airbags.

I wouldn't mind a Focus because there are some really good rebate incentives available and it's a nice looking car that handles well and seems to fit the urban driving style in the US.

I won't consider a Fit because it's a station wagon. Knock off two doors and one would be sitting in my driveway, no kidding.

The Aveo looks awkward and just doesn't interest me. I also found it strange that it's mileage numbers are awful low for a small displacement subcompact.

I strongly considered a Yaris when I was car shopping but the center gauges were a deal breaker. I want the gauges in front of me where they belong! Besides that, it handled like a marshmallow. It soaked up bumps (even big speed bumps) like a german luxury car but without the ability to corner quickly without scraping the door handles on the pavement.

The Nissan Versa is just plain ugly. It's sad that I would base my decision purchase on looks because this really is a great car. I question how well they will hold up, being a rebadged Renault. The numbers on this car are great but the look is just too ... well ... French.

I've had experience with a rear collision as well. I got rear-ended by a newer Jeep Cherokee and surprisingly, only the bumper skin needed replacing. I was very pleased the damage was so minimal because I was hit HARD. $450 for a new bumper skin and a paint job and my baby was all better ... of course, the other driver paid for the damage. At least now I know if I back into something, I'm not going to have to replace everything from the rear bumper to the radio.

Why is the Ford Focus in that list, doesn't that compete with Corolla and Civic not Yaris and Fit?

i have to say the yaris is great. over 5 years, the yaris is one of the cheapest cars to own. it is spacious on the inside. it's one of the most fuel efficient cars on the road (hybrid or not). it's also not too small that you would worry about dying easily in a collision (like a Smart). throw in toyota reliability and durability, and you've got a great car.

tradeoffs include it being a little more expensive than the competition. when equipped with things competitors make standard like power, side airbags, and cruise... yaris is more money to buy up front.... but it still is a great car imo

CJ,
Mainly because of price and mileage being comparable to the others for the size of a Corolla/Civic. Not a bad deal right?

The Civic and Corolla get better mileage than the Focus and are in the same price range.

My favorite has to be the Nissan Versa. Nothing else has the interesting and attractive looks of the Versa. There are more efficient sub-compacts but the Versa is one of the roomiest and most flexible. It has a substantial feel that some of the other models lack. The interior is well laid out and top notch. I like the high seating position and large back seat. My second favorite is probably the Toyota Yaris, for its excellent economy, reliability, and especially it's improvement in looks above the Echo- especially the sedan version.

I have an 04 matrix, and i average 30 miles per gallon, and thats mixed driving. i live in jersey and take trips to conn and virginia a few times a year, where i average almost 35 mpg with the car. it is a fantastic car.

I was saying compared to some of these above it gets similar mileage and it is 1 or 2 mpg off the other two. Not a huge amount. The Corolla and Civic are both more than the Focus as well especially when comparably equipped. Hence Focus sales up 45% last month.
http://www.cars.com/go/compare/modelCompare.jsp?myids=9542,9736,9208,9808

And don't forget you can get $1-$2K in rebates on a Focus.

MINI Cooper S. Yes, it costs mid $20k but gets 34 FUN mpg. My 2008 is beyond the dream.

Since when is a Fit a station wagon? It's a hatchback, same as a Yaris and a 3 door Accent.

Out of the list above you'd be CRAZY not to take a Fit, with a Versa probably coming in second. It should be closer but it is BUTT UGLY. It's no rebadged Renault though, even if it is derived from the Clio platform. You won't find a Renault looking like THAT. Well, i hope...

Sorry Dave I didn't realize the 2009 corolla cost almost $1000 over what the 2008 did, That's way outside this range. Although the Civic still cost only $400 more than the Focus. I just think that its unfair to the subcompacts to be listed with a bigger more powerful vehicle.
Chevy Aveo: 103 hp
Hyundai Accent: 110 hp
Nissan Versa: 122 hp
Toyota Yaris: 106 hp
Ford Focus: 132 hp (WAY MORE)
Honda Fit: 109 hp

I honestly find it amazing how over-powered some of these little cars are. Where are the small 80hp engines? Thats where you'll probably start to get some seriously good mileage.

CJ: Re Focus

Right now Ford has some ridiculous rebates on the car - depending on where you are.

I got $2400 in rebates + $122 dealer discount on one with a $16,255 sticker. I paid $13,733 The comparable Corolla was going to cost me $15,900.

My wife's boss heard of this and bought a Focus SE. He got $3500 in rebates (military reserve rebate included) and ended up paying about $14,300 A Corolla LE (comparable) was going to cost him just about $18,000.

A lot of these Focus rebates are scheduled to go off on June 2. It will be interesting to see what happens then.

Mart: Re engines

Check out the weight of those subcompacts. They aren't lightweights. A Fit with auto is about 2500 lbs. I just got rid of a 96 Escort. It weighed 2411 lbs. The escort was far bigger than a Fit.

A new Focus weighs about 2650 lbs yet has a 1/3 more powerful engine to push that extra 100-200 lbs. A Corolla weighs about 2700 lbs. and has about the same hp as the Focus.

The fact is that these new little cars weigh a lot and need the power. Their rather low highway mileage, compared to cars like Corolla and Focus, indicates that the engines are working quite hard to propel them at highway speeds.

Focus definitely gives you the most bang for your buck. Independent suspension, lots of upgrades including Sync. Granted it may not win any beauty contests, but then again, most people buying fuel sippers don't care as much about that as people buying say a Ferrari.

If the Focus *is* on this list, I'm surprised the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla aren't - they're pretty comparable in size.

Anyway, I haven't driven any of these cars, but based on what I do know, I would pick the Fit - best use of space, and most fun to drive.

^ That's the same thing I said, but Dave T. said that the Corolla is in a different price segment, and with the heavy rebates and incentives on the Focus you could get one for the price of a Yaris.

my 97 Dodge Neon 5-speed. i get around 40mpg highway and 34 city...

Because I was too lazy to make a decision, I decided to let Consumer Reports make one for me. The only 2 that got excellent reliability were the Yaris and Fit, so then it was a no brainer decision between ugly and nice, my choice would be the Honda Fit.

My 07 Civic EX.
Just got 37.5mpg on last tank in 100% city driving. Can't beat that one easy.

what about the kia rio. i have one with the 5 speed trans. get 40 mpg when i go 55 mph. paid only 10600 for it

Jack, It's easy to get 40 mpg in any car going 55 mph.

The problem with these little "fuel sippers" is that their gas mileage really isn't all that much better than a 4 cyl mid-size. I mean, the 4spd version of Versa gets the same mileage as the Altima.
Cars have too much weight, too much power, and if large, heavy and tall vehicles were banned, we wouldn't need to weigh small cars down with all this safety stuff.

Hey Mart,

I'm not sure what exactly defines a hatchback these days but the Fit is a five door ... where the fifth door is a nearly vertical gate and the roof carries out nearly even with the rear bumper. I consider that a station wagon.

Cj

Try that with ANY Lamboghini.

^ I guess I shouldn't have said any car. LOL :D

Finally found someone that can take jokes.

But it is different for different vehicles.

I've found my car's sweet spot is right around 45 - 53.

Nissan Sentra 2007 or 2008.
It's funny, everyone picks the Fit but my Sentra gets (a 2007 Sentra 2.0S w/CVT) gets 28mpg in city driving and 36 in highway, is much larger inside. The Sentra is not much more expensive than either the Fit or the Versa. Only thing you can't get on the Sentra is stability control

Aztec, most compact sedans in the market get the same or better fuel economy than the majority of subcompacts.

I'm wondering if there is an equation where you can work out the ideal matching of weight/transmission. We see all the time that larger cars get better mileage than smaller ones because you have to work the smaller engine so much harder to get up to speed.

So presumably, if you put a bigger engine in the subcompact you'd get better mileage? What would happen if you put the Corolla engine in the Yaris for example? Surely it'd then beat out the Corolla on mileage AND be faster and more fun to drive?

But where does the graph tip? If you follow the logic above, then a Tahoe engine in an Aveo would be the most efficient ever, but we know it wouldn't be. Where does an engine cease to increase in efficiency? Obviously, weight plays a big role, but it seems to me that with subcompacts, the manufacturers are deliberately selling cars with the wrong engine choices. Although they are probably heavier than they should be, it seems madness that cars a whole class above can match their mileage.

Is the answer to use a smaller engine which even if you thrash it it gets good mileage, or use a bigger engine and drive it softer? I have no idea...

I don't about other subcompacts but the Fit gets worse mileage in the US market than in other markets because the transmission in other markets is geared for fuel economy. Honda was unsure how US consumers would react to a 109 hp car so they geared the transmission so that it would "feel" more powerful and responsive, but that sacrificed fuel economy greatly. The Civic's engine is powerful enough for Americans therefore Honda was able to tune the transmission for fuel economy while retaining great driving characteristics.

But the Sentra's exterior design is just not my cup of tea.
The cinnamon-roll-look is an immediate turn off.
Plus, the Fit has a hatch. I just wish the Civic has that hatch!

^ Jalopnik (really bad source for info and rumors) supposedly spied a 5-door Civic. But don't get your hopes up because this supposed spy had no shots, so there's no proof, but who knows, maybe one day... :)

Well, it's no mystery that it exists, just about whether they think there's a market for it:

http://www.carquake.co.uk/content/Car_Images/Honda/Civic/p0021294.jpg

^Sorry I mean they said that they spied it in Ohio.

I'd take the Focus- its old platform is also a proven one. It's cheap, has cool options and its fun to drive while still riding well- thats one thing that you can't say about the fit. The Accent 3 door looks cool with its sport package too.

Broq

Broq, a lower wider sedan is going to drive better than a tall narrow hatchback. I don't want to make wide generalizations, but that's normally the case. I know I stated this before, but you really can't (shouldn't) compare a focus to a fit. They are in totally different categories. It's like comparing a Pontiac G8 to an Avalon. The Focus should be judged against it's own class benchmark the Civic. I know some might cross shop the Focus and Fit, but people also cross shop the Fit and the Civic. Both the Focus and the Civic could probably out handle and out perform any subcompact. I'm not trying to say that the Focus or Fit are bad cars, I'm just trying to put everything into perspective.