Face-Off: Ford Fiesta versus Honda Fit
Ford was kind enough to drop off a Euro-spec 2009 Ford Fiesta into the Edmunds garage last week, showcasing its sub-compact hatchback that's been taking Europe by storm. It will enter the U.S. market for 2011, though we're not entirely sure how much will change beyond the addition of a sedan body style. Our sincerest hope is that the answer is "not much," because the Fiesta is truly an impressive little compact car that could change the way Americans think about small cars.
Yet, that attitude has already begun to turn thanks to the Honda Fit, a marvel of interior packaging and driving fun that has been flying out of dealerships since the previous generation arrived for 2007. As the reigning champ in this class, how does the Fit compare to the Fiesta? While you'll have to wait a bit for a full comparison, we decided to Face-Off this week to give you a taste of each sub-compact's highs and lows.
To Face-Off in true fiesta style, editors James Riswick and Josh Sadlier pondered their chosen defendees over margaritas at Jim's Fiesta Taco Bar and Cantina as Associate Editor Mark Takahashi sat uncomfortably in the next booth jotting down their thoughts over a Bud Light Lime.
Opening Statements
James Riswick for the 2009 Ford Fiesta
The most important thing to know about the Ford Fiesta is that it's a real car, not just some subcompact toy you buy cause you can't afford anything else. Sit behind the chunky wheel in a sport seat that adjusts enough for tall people, look over a sculpted dash of high-quality materials, and feel the European ride that solidly thumps over bumps. The handling is sharp and the punchy engine makes the Fit seem gutless. The shifter's not great, but it feels better than the Fit's, which I'm not entirely convinced is mechanically attached to the transmission. Oh, and the Fiesta looks fantastic. I know Americans hate hatchbacks, but they really need to get over that because I know this Fiesta 5-door will look infinitely better than whatever the sedan manages to be. Look no further than the Yaris, Versa, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus as examples of hatchbacks that look better than the sedan. And no, I will not agree to disagree America. Hatchbacks are cool and the Fiesta is one of the coolest yet.
While driving the Fiesta last week, I could easily see myself owning one. I can't say that about any other sub-20-grand car on the market other than a base Mini Cooper. I don't just say that because it's one of the few small cars that I actually comfortably fit in, but because it doesn't seem like a sub-20-grand car. Very much like the Mazda 3, the Fiesta manages to feel like a richer car than its price would indicate. I think that's because it was born and bred in Europe, so I can only hope they don't muck it up when it crosses the pond.
Josh Sadlier for the 2009 Honda Fit
For the benefit of our readers, who don't have the privilege of seeing the facial expression that your little Fiesta festival provoked, I should disclose that I presently look like Takahashi after a big chin-puckering swig of that Bud Light Lime. Well, alright, except for the whole Japanese thing. Though a girl did once ask me once if I was part Japanese. True story. Suffice it to say that I wasn't impressed by her powers of perception.
Anyway, sure, the Fiesta's easily in the Mini Cooper class, a little car under $20k that I'd actually buy. We can agree on that. But we're not average consumers. Like that Weekly Top 3 guy was saying last week, we care about engine notes and body control and steering feel -- all areas in which (1) the Fiesta trumps the Fit, and (2) most drivers have precisely zero interest. Typical hatchback buyers think the term "road manners" refers to the way you're supposed to act when riding in someone else's car. These people want versatility out of their compact hatches, and absolutely nothing touches the Fit in this regard, least of all the space-challenged Fiesta.
What's max cargo capacity going to be for the Fiesta, anyway? 40 cubic feet? I can't find an official figure that doesn't involve the metric system, but apparently the two-door Fiesta hatch has a measly 34.1 cubes. As for the Fit, it's got 57 cubes -- more than the new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, for Lutz' sake. And the news isn't any better for the Fiesta when it comes to rear legroom: I tried to sit behind myself after I'd positioned the driver seat for my 6'1" frame, and I failed. My knees were practically poking through the seatback. No such issues in the Fit's astoundingly roomy rear quarters.
The Fiesta's easily the best drive in this segment, but the Fit is far more functional. For the average hatchback shopper, I'm afraid that's what matters most.
Rebuttals:
Riswick
Perhaps the average hatchback shopper my lobster-taco-eating friend, but the Fiesta can't worry about that group. Ford has to appeal to the majority of American shoppers who buy less practical sedans instead of hatchbacks because they remember the Gremlin or something. It has to appeal to shoppers who instinctively turn to Honda and Toyota for their tiny car purchases. It has to make people forget about the Gremlin, Pinto and all those other American crap cans that were as appealing as Bud Light Lime.
To do that, the best way such a car can succeed is by tugging at the heart strings with styling, personality and perceived quality. (Giant sunroofs could also do the trick, because people just love those things). Just look at the Mini or the Fiat 500. Heck, even the Fit's fun to drive nature has been a leading reason for its success. The Fiesta may not have the retro thing going for it or Honda's age-old small-car reputation, but it's got style and personality. Also, let's not forget that American badge. People want to buy from the home team, even if the Fiesta was designed in Europe, built in Mexico and its nombre es espanol. I guarantee you if the Fiesta was out during this Cash for Clunkers period, it would be easily outselling the Fit ... not to mention turkeys like the Focus, Caliber and Cobalt. Well, I could only hope.
Sadlier:
Well, shoot, that's an interesting point. The Fiesta isn't nearly as practical as a Fit, but it's certainly a more capable hauler than the compact sedans that budget-minded Americans have long preferred to hatchbacks. It's also just a nicer car all-around than most of those dopey sedans. Other than the rear legroom issue, I can't think of a single reason I'd tell someone to buy a Civic or Corolla instead of a Fiesta. (For that matter, I can't think of a single reason I'd tell someone to buy a Corolla, period.) You're right, that's the way hatchbacks need to stage their comeback: by being appealing and entertaining cars that just happen to have a more useful cargo bay. From that perspective, the Fiesta's fabulous.
Also, the more desirable little hatches we have running around, the less often people will get suckered into buying Calibers. Forget my Face Off duties; I'm on your side here. Viva la Fiesta!
So aside from both people ultimately choosing the Fiesta, who wins?
This is exactly the reason I got conned into buying a focus back in 2000, the belief it was the same as the European car I had driven in Europe. Instead the build quality wasn't the same (bits kept falling off), materials felt cheap and the engine was terrible. This time I would take a "wait and see" approach to any vehicle Ford claims is just like the European version.
I would, saying that, choose the fiesta over the fit simply because the fit is too dangerous to get onto the beltway in the morning. It hasn't got enough speed.
Fiesta = win. I'm looking forward to driving one. People talk about the Fit as if its the second coming, but I've never really been too enamored by it. Sure it had some advantages, namely the space, but it has some big negatives as well - interior and exterior looks, Honda packaging/pricing.
I'm also looking forward to driving a Fiesta, I really like what I've been hearing about the engine, shifter and handling dynamics. I just hope that they'll bring the Euro-spec Focus RS over too. That car is freaking amazing!
I love the Fit because it's an amazingly practical little car that also happens to drive like an entry level sports car.
If the Fiesta drives even better then it would be a tough choice... give up some of the barn like space for even more fun?
I'll have to drive one before I can say.
Plus 1 to Ford for giving another great car to choose from though.
What I want to know is how does the Fiesta compare to the Mazda2? And will the US ever see that 2008 World car of the year winner?
If the Fiesta had been available, I would've bought one this summer instead of the Fit. If it's built by the same Mexican labor that puts the Fusion together, it'll be tight and reliable.
It's time for the subcompact market in the US to become a truly competitive sector. Death to Aveo!
The interior versatility of the Fit is extremely compelling, but if the Fiesta is even a little quieter at highway speed, then it wins.
But forget all that; I think my favorite part(s) of these Face-Off posts are the descriptions of Mr. Takahashi's ever-decreasing comfort level.
Already experienced the Fiesta in Europe. It is a premium compact and looks & feels much better than the Fit, though the Fit is a good car.
Fiesta is very stylish and almost exotic as far as a economy compact goes.
This is a no brainer contest. The Ford will easily outsell the Fit and the only question is why it took so long to bring it here.
So basically, if the Fit drove like the Fiesta, it would be perfect.
I wonder how the Fiesta will compare with that thing GM is going to make. You know, what's it called, the neon green thing with gigantic bug eye headlamp housings.
I admit that the Fit is a good car and it has superior versatility, but it ends there. However, the Fiesta (assuming we get the same Euro car) is better from every other perspective. I already know I'll buy one when the time to replace the Mazda3 comes. This can only be changed if Ford makes some incredibly stupid mistake or the new Focus is as good or better than Fiesta.
I'm struggling to think of a single reason that I would buy the Fit over the Fiesta.
I would pick the Fiesta over the Fit based on the pic of the Fiesta's dash and interior. Looks much more upscale, less cluttered and more traditional (read European). Look at the dash pic of the Fit: different sized knobs all over the dash, the stereo/nav unit isn't even centered, and all that shiny black plastic. The Fiesta interior looks warm, fun and inviting. I'll definitely have a look see when it hits the show rooms.
"the only question is why it took so long to bring it here."
Because the Focus 4-door sedan outsold the 3-door, 5-door, and wagon combined?
I've always been a hatchback fan, but I've got to disagree that the first-gen Mazda3 looked better as a hatch; while the Protege5 did look better than the sedan. The 2010 Mazda3s are both dreck, partly because they no longer have completely unique body panels, only the roof and rear quarters. The Bora/Jetta also has often looked better than the contemporaneous Golf/Rabbit, especially the A4 version.
I'm looking forward to the Fiesta; I disagree that maximum cargo capacity trumps everything, as long as there is enough. The Fit is the first Honda I've liked even a little bit in about 15 years, but $18,000 without even the option of a sunroof is unacceptable. Small car doesn't mean cheap car, Honda; return to your roots. Obviously the Koreans have a cost advantage, but an Accent SE with a sunroof costs less than a Fit without, and it gets better highway mileage even with the ancient 4-speed auto (my knees don't work as well as they used to, but I'm not ready for replacements yet).
Of course, if the US Fiesta doesn't have a sunroof, it's off the list as well and I go for the Accent SE or the 3-door Golf, because I don't need or particularly like rear doors.
The big question for all of us who want the automatic, will it have the cool 6 spd dual clutch or the dopey 4spd auto?
"The Fiesta isn't nearly as practical as the Fit" Um - isn't that kind of an important consideration for subcompact hatch buyers? Guys who want a sports car first and foremost have better options than the Fiesta.
Then there's the whole resale thing... a Mexican-built subcompact Ford might get you a cup of coffee in 5 years.
jaeger1,
Hatch buyers don't buy their vehicles just for utility. Just look at Mazda3 sales. Despite being around 22" longer, it just offers 44 cu. ft. of storage. People buy it because it's nice to drive, and it used to look good.
The Fusion is Mexican built and resale values and reliability seem just fine for it.
IL must surely have connections in Ford's engineering department, please e-mail them a link to these comments.
I can't stress how important it is that Ford bring this car over with it's suspension tuning intact. I know that American roads are often in worse shape than European, especially the midwest and northest with heavy traffic and wide swings in temperatures.
But I am tired of American auto executives thinking that I am not 'sophisticated' enough to appreciate a firmer ride.
How about they just TRY it on the first year of cars and see how the public reacts. I see a ton of Mazda3's, Golfs and Mini's on the road here in Chicago. Clearly there are LOTS of buyers who will buy a car that doesn't feel like it's riding on 4 marshmallows.
I've heard this a lot, that European roads are better than American roads. Having never been to Europe, I don't know. ARE European roads in better condition than American roads? Northern Europe sees the same temperature extremes as the northern US. Other than constant road repairs or significantly less traffic, it's hard to imagine a reason that European roads would be any better than North American roads after a couple winters' worth of freeze-thaw cycles.
I've been noticing online lately that the decision not to offer the three door hatchback is not sitting well with a lot of people. I can say for myself that if they don't offer it I won't buy one. I'm kind of tired of four door cars. Oh, please Ford, give me the three door.
The proper door pull handles alone make Fiesta the better car. Just look at them -- they are works of art!
I'll buck the trend here. As much as I like the sportier look of a three-door hatch, the smaller the space, the more important it is to have versatile access. So put me down for a five-door, as soon as my Fit wears out.
Either way, I'm happy. I currently drive a 2005 Acura RSX Type S and I don't think I could ever go back to a normal coupe or sedan. The rear hatch is practical and useful that I don't think I could ever go back. It's extremely easy to pack a with a rear hatch since the opening is so large.
Personally, I packed everything I needed for college in my RSX. (I'm 19 btw)
It'll be a while until my next car, but I've set my sights on a hatch of some sort. So I hope the fiesta and fit both do well and show the market for hatchbacks.
more hatches= more hot hatches = more choices for me in the future :P
I'm thinking my next car will be something like the MS3 or WRX wagon
I had a Fiesta (3 door, hatch) in the early 1980's that lasted very nicely for more than a decade. Was a really nice vehicle for a single mom with a large dog. More than enough room for shopping trips, lay the seat down and the dog could easily ride in the back. Seriously, how many people are going to have 4 big boys in a vehicle? And it would work fine for 2 couples with the men up front and the women in the back.
I've been missing my old Fiesta for well over a decade; haven't seen that kind of gas mileage since then and that's really sad. I WANT the Euro spec mileage and pray Ford doesn't muck this up! Any chance you at Edmunds tested the emissions on the Euro model? Or have the Euro specs on emissions? Ford is bizarrely refusing to be cooperative on importing the Euro spec Fiesta (ECOnetic).
Hatchbacks absolutely rock! I want my 3 door Hatch Ford Fiesta ECOnetic. Give it up Ford!!!
My 2008 Fit is fun to drive and peppy if you keep the revs up. However, my wife's Focus is more comfortable, better quality, has a stronger engine and better highway mileage so I would like to drive the Fiesta when it arrives. I owned 4 Focus hatchbacks before they quit making them and enjoyed them all. Hope they keep the European handling this time.