Consumer Reports Picks Honda Fit as Top Subcompact

Stacked against four other subcompact vehicles, the Honda Fit Sport got Consumer Reports’ top recommendation with enthusiasm.

Out of the Suzuki SX4, Chevrolet Aveo, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and the Fit, only the SX4 and the Fit Sport managed to get the consumer group’s recommendation. Low road test scores doomed the Yaris and Aveo, while the Versa fell short when it came to reliability.

The Fit Sport got the highest overall marks thanks to impressive fuel economy of 33 mpg during testing, a zero to 60 speed of 9.2 seconds and a versatile interior.

The vehicle’s only low mark came for its headlights, which CR found sorely lacking. So I guess it's tops as long as you drive the Fit Sport during the day?

Honda Fit Dominates Consumer Reports Subcompact Test (Autoblog)

Comments

Headlights?
Doesn't most people tune their Honda after they bought it?
Or, maybe getting a new pair of high performance headlights could help.

I am not surprised, I think this was the right choice, not sure about the headlight issue. It wasn't a problem with my Honda, just an issue with the Fit maybe?

I have invented a way to make these cars safer in collisions. Please help me get my ideas evaluated.

www.safersmallcars.com

the above post of the invention reminds me of this other ridiculous article in USA Today a while back about how "dangerous" small cars are. basically, cars need to be driven by responsible adults. nobody complains about the need for "safe" bullets because they know guns need to be handled by responsible adults and used minimally in specific situations.

car accidents don't just "happen;" people are driving too fast, not paying attention, not slowing down when the weather/road conditions are bad, etc (and i'm too often guilty of these)

about headlights -- each manufacturer can have a wide range of ratings, depending on the model. headlight quality does not necessarily correlate with the manufacturer or the type (halogen vs. HID). the Malibu, for example, has an old-fashioned halogen that was rated very well; some xenons were only rated average (or worse) because of a sharp cutoff.

as for the comment by C, it's obviously a stereotype; regardless, aftermarket bulbs are usually no better; HID lamps (xenons) can be brighter but are illegal unless you perform a proper (EXPENSIVE!) retrofit with the proper projectors etc, which most people do not do.

http://www.minijetplanes.com

Yes It's Cool Car And Good For Fuel Efficiency Also....
I Like This Honda Car....

Why is a sub compact only getting 33 mpg? I have a led foot and I get 34 mpg in city with my Carolla and 30 mpg with my 97 Altima! Both are bigger and older cars. I've gotten darn near 40 mpg on highway. 33 mpg seems unacceptable for something that small.

The Fit's hwy mileage is most unimpressive but everyone ignores this because it's sporty. The 2010 Camry and current Malibu weigh far more and get 33mpg on the highway. The Fit should be getting close to 40mpg on the highway considering its weight and small engine. Then again, with the exception of the Civic Hondas really dont get great highway mileage. The Element only gets 23mpg.

i think a lot of people look at combined mileage too, especially if they live in cities. which of course the Fit gets better.

nuthouse,

What Corolla do you drive?
The EPA number is just a reference. I got buddies who gets 19 out of a EPA rated of 36.

C,
Just a 2000 Toyota Carolla VE w/ a stick. I have not done anyhting special to it. I use cheap Coastal 5W-30, Bosch or Fram (depending which is on sale) oil and air filters. Yesterday I filled up 10.992 of regular octane after traveling 382.0 miles (on the nose) of highway and downtown driving, and using the heater in the morning. I am the typical agressive young adult driver who jumps off the line at green lights.
I know the EPA is just an "estimate." (I'm still waiting to get my 24 mpg hwy on my 99 Ranger.) Usually one gets less than EPA number, not more.

C,
I think that it's pretty "tough" to get 19 mpg out of a Corolla. My roommate has an 06; it gets pretty good mpg. Even my Dodge (3.0L) with very high mileage still gets mid 20s combined.

BTW, I think that, although the Fit is a good car probably the best in its segment, it receives too much praise from the press.

My family own one back home. It's had some some minor reliability issues. But again, the car was built there. Quality may not be the same. Honda and Toyota are very popular there though. My guess is that approximately 70% of cars there are these two brands.

nuthouse,

I am thinking the Fit uses 16" on a 1.5L, does that hurt fuel economy?
382miles out of almost 11 gallons? That's insane. How cold is it over where you live?

Anyway, in order to get only 19mpg on a 36mpg car, my buddy just drives it like it is on a track.

C,
I have a friend who drives just like that as well. And, that's how I decided to stop carpooling with him ;).

Did I mentioned that she drives and text, while sometimes putting on lipsticks? I have always wondered how did she do it.

C,
I'm sporting the very stylish 14" wheels with plastic hub caps w/ the 1.8L. Some one told me that the smaller wheels help with fuel milage, but I'm not sure on that.

It's not very cold in Dallas. Usually when the sun comes up you don't need the heater. Actually, we have had a couple of days this winter where the using the A/C wasn't out of the question.

The Honda Fit should get better gas milage with a smaller engine and lighter car than the 9 year old Corolla. I expect more from Honda. Even is that is the best in the segment, why would someone pay for a clown car that gets similar milage to a Malibu.

Dallas, that explains it.

As a Yooper, it is impossible to get anywhere close to that kind of mileage.

Maybe the Fit really should downsize on the wheels.
That reminds me, the Fit weighs about the same as your Corolla, but using a 1.5L to power it. It could mean that the engine has to work harder for the higher load.

The MPG posted on anything I've seen with the FIT is way too conservative. I've gotten a couple of tanks at 40 MPG and usually average around 36-37 with a combination of city/hwy. You drive like a bat outta hell and you're gonna get less than 35 but that's about it.

No issues with headlight - just wish the earlier 2009 models had the armrests that the later ones do in the showrooms.