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Which Hatchback?

768 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2012 at 2:54 PM

You are in the Hatchbacks Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Mazda Protege5, Suzuki Aerio, Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 74 of 77

#729 of 768 Re: Getting ready for a new car.... [backy] by backy

Mar 08, 2008 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 03, 2008 5:11 pm)
Correction: I just found out at our local auto show, from a Hyundai factory rep, that the Elantra Touring won't be available until fall/winter. So that leaves the Matrix and its twin the Vibe, and the Rabbit. The Impreza might be another option, but I don't know how quiet it is.

#730 of 768 2009 Honda Fit vs. ??? by backy

Aug 16, 2008 (2:20 pm)

In the 2009/2010 Honda Fit discussion, skeptical asked:
 
My question was are there any Hatchbacks that can compete with the FIT's safety, MPG , quality, reliability, price.
 
A fitting question for this discussion. I think the answer to that is "yes." Here's some possibilities:
 
2009 Yaris 5-door: The Yaris got excellent crash test results on the IIHS frontal and side impact tests--Good on both. The rear test was not as good, but then the Fit's latest score wasn't very good either--the 2009 should improve there. The Fit has ABS and 6 airbags standard, and those are available on the Yaris but not standard (maybe for 2009 they will be?). The Fit offers VSA only on its highest trim level, Sport with nav. The Yaris doesn't offer VSC. FE wise, the Yaris bests the Fit. Quality and reliability? Honda vs. Toyota, pretty even there. Price? The Yaris' pricing starts lower than the Fit's, although comparably equipped they are pretty even.
 
Versa 5-door: Safety-wise, the Versa runs the table on the IIHS crash tests: Good/Good/Good, a rarity for small cars. It has six airbags standard but ABS is optional. ESC is not available. FE-wise, the Versa is very close to the Fit. Quality-wise, the Versa is very nicely trimmed for an inexpensive car, with plush seats. Reliability-wise, the Fit has the advantage, with CR rating the Fit much above average and the Versa average. But price-wise, the Versa is considerably less than the Fit, although you can order some options on the Versa like a killer sound system, Bluetooth, Intelligent Key, and moonroof that put it in the same territory price-wise as the Fit Sport w/o nav.
 
Matrix/Vibe: Really a class up from the Fit in size (based on the Corolla), yet the Matrix and Vibe can be had very nicely equipped for the same money as a Fit Sport. They offer the latest safety features including ABS and six airbags standard, VSC is widely available, FE is about the same as the Fit (unless you get the 2.4L engine), and offer traditional Toyota quality and reliability (although IMO some of the interior bits look/feel cheap).
 
Elantra Touring: Due for late 2009, this is a 5-door wagon version of the Elantra SE. Like the Matrix/Vibe, it's a class up in size from the Fit. It will offer best-in-class interior volume, tons of standard safety features including ESC, ABS, and six airbags, FE very close to that of the Fit (based on the Elantra sedan's FE) but with a 138 hp engine, standard 16" alloys with 17 inchers optional, and excellent quality and reliability (the Elantra sedan is rated much above average for reliability by CR). Price-wise, it's a guess at this point, but the previous-generation Elantra hatch was just a few hundred more than the sedan, and the Touring is close in equipment to the SE. So a good guess is around $17.5k for the MT, $18.5k for the AT--in the range of the Fit Sport w/o nav.
 
There's some other really good hatchbacks out there, including the Impreza (with AWD), Mazda3s, and Rabbit, that would be in the same price ballpark as the Fit Sport, but they are all a notch down from these other cars in FE--but also a notch up in power.
 
UPDATE: I just found out that the 2009 Yaris will have ABS and 6 airbags standard! Woo-hoo! Also, the 5-door with AT starts at $13.3k--a heckofadeal compared to the base Fit, although I expect the base Fit has more equipment standard, e.g. power package.

#731 of 768 Re: 2009 Honda Fit vs. ??? [backy] by skeptical

Aug 16, 2008 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: backy (Aug 16, 2008 2:20 pm)
Wow--I just requested this follow-up with actual names but five minutes ago --you either already had this typed up and ready to send, or you type faster than the speed of light!
 
In any case, a thousand thanks for indulging me so thoroughly. This is tremendously helpful. I plan to test drive each of these cars--I'm really curious now!
 
Have a fantastic day, backy
 
(Wonder how many others are peeking over here too from the FIT forum?)

#732 of 768 Re: 2009 Honda Fit vs. ??? [skeptical] by backy

Aug 16, 2008 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: skeptical (Aug 16, 2008 2:36 pm)
I never thought of myself as a fast typist, but maybe I should.
 
Unless you have to have super-high FE, be sure to check out the Rabbit, Mazda3, and Impreza also. They are very nice cars. The Impreza is the best of class for safety--the only IIHS "Top Pick" of small cars. The Mazda3 is a blast to drive, especially with a stick. And the Rabbit is a very refined little car and pretty reasonably priced in 3-door form.

#733 of 768 Re: 2009 Honda Fit vs. ??? [skeptical] by iwant1too

Aug 16, 2008 (9:05 pm)

Replying to: skeptical (Aug 16, 2008 2:36 pm)
Wonder how many others are peeking over here too from the FIT forum?)
 
I am.

#734 of 768 Re: 2009 Honda Fit vs. ??? [backy] by skeptical

Aug 17, 2008 (11:48 am)

Replying to: backy (Aug 16, 2008 3:30 pm)
What are you referring to when you say FE?

#735 of 768 Re: 2009 Honda Fit vs. ??? [skeptical] by backy

Aug 17, 2008 (11:59 am)

Replying to: skeptical (Aug 17, 2008 11:48 am)
Fuel economy.

#736 of 768 Re: 2009 Honda Fit vs. ??? [backy] by skeptical

Aug 17, 2008 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: backy (Aug 17, 2008 11:59 am)
Fuel Economy is one of my top priorities both for my pocketbook and for my carbon footprint. So I won't be looking at any that get any worse mpg than the civic or FIT--that's for darn sure.
 
I'm already feeling very guilty not going for the Prius, but it's just a bit too high for my budget right now, and I think things are going to be much more competitive what with solar panels and plug-ins and so forth in the next 2-5 years...

#737 of 768 Elantra Touring by otis12

Aug 24, 2008 (6:29 am)

Backy, will the ET be available this fall when the '09 models traditionally roll out or did you mean in Fall Calendar Year '09? You still got your Elantra GT?

#738 of 768 Re: Elantra Touring [otis12] by backy

Aug 24, 2008 (10:03 am)

Replying to: otis12 (Aug 24, 2008 6:29 am)
A Hyundai factory rep told me a few months ago that the 2009 Elantra Touring would roll out "late this year", meaning this fall.
 
I do still have my 2004 Elantra GT hatch but am getting ready to turn it over to my middle son for school. He'll use up the rest of the powertrain warranty.
 

 
So I'll be getting another car this fall, which eventually will go to my daughter. Hence my interest in hatchbacks like the Elantra Touring. If the 2009 Fit had VSA in base trim, it would probably be my top choice (assuming I like how it drives).

Messages Page 74 of 77

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