How is the Honda Fit always on top?

[LS1notFOUND]

I don't get it, even in this review "the couple" they had said it was way ahead but the male says "based on the exterior we wouldn't own something like this"...than why it is waaaayy ahead? The H on the grill has to be it.

Either way the Sonic did make it into the top 4 so that is something!

Chevy provided a 1.8L LS model for the comparison of "under 16K". The interior is apparently love or hate, however no one I've had around has knocked it only praised.

"While a strict price cap was set at $16,000, manufactures were free to pack as much or as little as they saw fit into their car. We were also joined by a local Southern California couple, to keep us jaded journalists in check and give us their perspective on what's important to young couples in the market for affordable and efficient daily transportation."

"BRIAN ROBINSON: The Chevrolet Sonic, in typical American car fashion, has got big power, it’s good to look at, and it’s actually pretty fun to drive. The interior might be a little much for most buyers as they might have went a little over the top in trying to attract the youth market."

$16K Subcompact Shootout | MotorWeek

Automatics apparently also eat up MPG compared to manual models.

 

[jim_de_hunter]

1. The Honda is built in Japan.

2. My wife loves her '11 Fit and looked at all of the other except the Sonic because it wasn't available. Hard to argue with success.

 

[Eric Smit]

I don't get it. Their front end, wing mirrors forward, look like poop.


-Eric Smit

 

[Step219]

Honda Fit? I havent seen one around central virginia in months. How are they on top when a civic is at every intersection? I have only seen maybe 10 fits in my life.

 

[BrianH]

Wait a second ... They used the 1.8L 5 speed AT instead of the 1.4L Turbocharged 6 speed MT for the Sonic comparison? The video quoted it as the 2nd cheapest car in the whole lineup. If they had used the 1.4L Turbo, it would have knocked almost $1k off the cost of the vehicle AND given it a higher fuel economy rating at 35/40 instead of 25/35. Kelsey Mays also said their Sonic sedan has a 6 speed AT. Unless I missed the memo, the ATs only have 5 speeds, not 6 like the MTs.

 

[BrianH]

I did some Googling on the 6 speed AT, looks like I missed the memo. But even still, I'm reading the 6 speed ATs are MSRP $17,630 (a $1,070 from the 6 speed MTs) which pushes the price out of their lineup comparison. There's no way they only paid $15,155 for that vehicle.

(Source: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo With Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Priced)

 

[JimmyQ]

The fit has less hp and gets lower mpg's... So I'm clueless

 

[SSpeckerwood]

It's all in the name Honda has made for themselves...

 

[JimmyQ]

Well the after market for the fit is crazy but like you said, it's because of the name

 

[Eric Smit]

I did some Googling on the 6 speed AT, looks like I missed the memo. But even still, I'm reading the 6 speed ATs are MSRP $17,630 (a $1,070 from the 6 speed MTs) which pushes the price out of their lineup comparison. There's no way they only paid $15,155 for that vehicle.

(Source: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo With Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Priced)

An LS Sedan with auto starts at 14,935 while the LS Hatch auto starts at 15,835.


-Eric Smit

 

[J T]

I don't get it. Their front end, wing mirrors forward, look like poop.

I agree, it's ugly...but chicks dig it. My gf wants one bad.

I see TONS of Fits daily around my area. They must sell really well in Michigan.

 

[BrianH]

An LS Sedan with auto starts at 14,935 while the LS Hatch auto starts at 15,835.


-Eric Smit

Isn't that the 5 speed AT and not the 6 speed AT?

 

[BrianH]

I went to Chevy's website and their MSRP must really depend on where you live. I plug in ZIP 15801, and the MSRP for the LS Sedan AT is $15,730, LS Hatchback AT is $16,630. And they must be waiving the $795 freight charge in the video review.

 

[gdideric]

i think in that configuration it should have been 1. Honda Fit, 2. Chevy Sonic 3/4. kia/hyundia.

The honda is a damn nice car to drive, and versatile as they say. And the chevy with the 1.8 and the trunk, is not as good.

The hyundai/kia when I drove them handled like it had a loose backpack on the rear bumper...it threw its rear end around wildly. I hated it. The motor was noisy and slow.

Now, put the 1.4T and the hatch on the sonic and it is by far the winner. Best engine in the class, and the sonic has good sound dampening (for the class)...

 

[J T]

The hyundai/kia when I drove them handled like it had a loose backpack on the rear bumper...it threw its rear end around wildly. I hated it.

My sedan does that, and that's with 225/45/17 tires that supposedly have a stiff sidewall.

I've never driven a car with a more squirrely rear end than the Sonic.

 

[SSpeckerwood]

My sedan does that, and that's with 225/45/17 tires that supposedly have a stiff sidewall.

I've never driven a car with a more squirrely rear end than the Sonic.

your not running the OEM size tire.... so what brand is it?

 

[J T]

your not running the OEM size tire.... so what brand is it?

I thought the wider tires would improve the sloppy rear end, but it pretty much made no difference.

Check this link for the wheels/tires I have: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/post39116-3/

I have a feeling it has more to do with the negative camber. On grooved highways, the back end is all over the place. When I do some "test" left-right swerving at lower speeds, the back end feels like it's going to slide out. The oddest feeling comes after I straightened the wheel back out...there seems to be one more correction that feels bigger than my initial swerves. It's like the car is trying to over correct itself even after I've stopped the swerving. And there is no difference if I have the traction control engaged or disengaged.

My stock (suspension, wheels/tires) 2004 Mazda3 with 285,000 miles feels like a slot car compared to my Sonic. The oversteer in this car in normal driving conditions is very evident.

 

[Eric Smit]

Isn't that the 5 speed AT and not the 6 speed AT?

There is no 5 speed AT.

And that is GM's MSRP, no destination, no dealer fees, just price.


-Eric Smit

 

[SSpeckerwood]

^^^ i think your wrong eric. when i bought mine they had another one on another lot with a 5 speed AT. maybe the salesman was wrong though.

 

[gdideric]

I thought the wider tires would improve the sloppy rear end, but it pretty much made no difference.

Check this link for the wheels/tires I have: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/post39116-3/

I have a feeling it has more to do with the negative camber. On grooved highways, the back end is all over the place. When I do some "test" left-right swerving at lower speeds, the back end feels like it's going to slide out. The oddest feeling comes after I straightened the wheel back out...there seems to be one more correction that feels bigger than my initial swerves. It's like the car is trying to over correct itself even after I've stopped the swerving. And there is no difference if I have the traction control engaged or disengaged.

My stock (suspension, wheels/tires) 2004 Mazda3 with 285,000 miles feels like a slot car compared to my Sonic. The oversteer in this car in normal driving conditions is very evident.

Needs better shocks methinks. I agree the sonic does it too...but the hyundai was really bad...