Best economy car, hatchback 2011 Honda Fit *Est. $15100
Best economy car, sedan 2011 Hyundai Elantra *Est. $14830
Best sporty compact car 2011 Volkswagen GTI *Est. $23695
Best nonhybrid fuel economy 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI *Est. $23225
Best cheap compact car 2011 Nissan Versa *Est. $9990

See All Economy Cars

2008 Honda Fit

*Est. $13,950 to $16,070

Pros

Lively handling
Comfortable and versatile interior
Outstanding fuel economy
Impressive range of standard features
Superior predicted reliability and resale value

Cons

Small engine not great on highways or hills
Poor rating on rear-impact crash test
Some in-demand options not available

Our Analysis

The 2008 Honda Fit is regarded as the best subcompact hatchback; it garners better reviews overall than the competing Toyota Yaris (*est. $11,350 to $14,450) and Nissan Versa (*est. $12,880 to $15,980). Highlights include the Fit's nimble handling and its versatile and cleverly designed interior. Reviewers point out that the Honda Fit has the same amount of interior passenger room and more cargo space than the Honda Civic sedan (*est. $14,800 to $23,250), despite being 19 inches shorter. Real-world fuel economy averages of about 35 mpg in mixed driving make the Fit one of the most efficient non-hybrid cars on the market. One downside is its small 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, which renders the 2008 Honda Fit better suited for city driving than for highway treks.

The Honda Fit hatchback has been one of the most talked-about subcompact cars since its 2007 model-year debut. Car and Driver magazine posts an excellent article detailing the Honda Fit's inclusion on its 2008 10 Best Cars list. The 2008 Honda Fit earns a spot on other experts' rosters as well: It's a 2008 Best Bet at Cars.com, a top-five editors' choice at Kelley Blue Book, and a Best Resale winner at Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. We also found good coverage of the Honda Fit at Consumer Reports and ConsumerGuide.com, where editors conduct independent testing and rate the Fit against other budget cars. Road & Track magazine offers a head-to-head comparison of the Honda Fit Sport, the Nissan Versa and the Toyota Yaris hatchbacks.

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Our Sources

1. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

This article represents the culmination of Car and Driver's annual evaluations of new 2008 vehicles. Editors say thanks to the Honda Fit, drivers no longer have to sacrifice comfort and fun for frugality.

Review: 2008 10 Best Cars, Csaba Csere and Tony Swan, Jan. 2008

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports evaluates most 2008 subcompact cars on the market, using a two-tier rating system. Coverage for the 2008 Honda Fit includes road-test results, notes on driving impressions, reliability predictions and crash-test data.

Review: 2008 Honda Fit, Editors of Consumer Reports

3. ConsumerGuide.com

The 2008 Honda Fit receives a "Recommended" label from editors here. They appreciate the Fit's fuel economy, build quality, control layout and steering/handling, but they notice feeble acceleration and engine/tire noise'.

Review: 2008 Honda Fit, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Aug. 26, 2008

4. Kiplinger.com Details/Subscribe

Kiplinger's magazine picks the best 2008 cars in several categories. In the $20,000 and under range, Best Resale goes to the popular Honda Fit hatchback, with a three-year retained value estimated at 65 percent.

Review: The Best Cars for 2008, Mark Solheim and Jessica Anderson, March 2008

5. Cars.com

Issues like safety, practicality, comfort and performance are considered in compiling Cars.com's fairly long list of Best Bets. There are links to reviews of the Honda Fit, and some brief comparisons with other models.

Review: New Best Bets, Editors of Cars.com

6. Kelley Blue Book

KBB.com, the website of Kelley Blue Book, offers a listing of editors' recommended compact cars. The Honda Fit, one of five selected cars priced under $15,000, is commended for its affordability, handling and cargo space.

Review: Recommended Shopping Lists: Compact Cars, Editors of KBB.com

7. GreenCar.com

GreenCar.com's editors go beyond fuel-economy numbers when selecting their top picks among environmentally friendly cars. In the under-$15,000 category, they like the fuel-sipping Honda Fit for its roomy and versatile interior.

Review: Top 2008 Fuel Economy Faves, Todd Kaho

8. Road & Track Details/Subscribe

Road & Track lines up three nicely equipped compact hatchbacks for this head-to-head evaluation. The Honda Fit Sport edges out the Nissan Versa 1.8 S and Toyota Yaris S, despite its higher as-tested price.

Review: Comparison Test: The Battle of the Bs at Little G, Mike Monticello, Apr. 2007

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