styling:
1. sonic
2. fiesta
3. fit
the fit is by far the worst in this category and i think that's a pretty objective statement. just bland and cheap-looking. idk how the hell they can call the highest-trim-level fit a 'honda fit sport.' it literally doesn't look sporty at all
i think ranking the sonic and fiesta is a little more subjective. the fiesta looks more traditional. the sonic, the pre-facelift version ('12-'16) anyway, has a more unique look. personally, i prefer the sonic. the headlights are where it blows the fiesta out of the water as i think the pre-facelift sonic has literally the best-looking headlights in the car industry, while the fiesta's headlights are it's weakpoint in terms of styling
styling is the most important category to me and the main reason i chose a sonic. the motorcycle-themed headlights/tail lights, the chopped-off rear end, the unique-shaped fog lights, the aggressive front end, and the sharp rocker panels on the sides all combine to give a super unique, distinctive look. i also got my sonic in the dragon green metallic color, which makes it stand out even more
interior:
1. sonic
2. fiesta
3. fit
i couldn't care less about tech and am ignorant when it comes to that area, so i'm just going to cover how they look
fit looks cheap as hell, while the sonic and fiesta are close. sonic rs and fiesta st have nice leather seats with rs and st emblems on them that i think just look better than the honda fit sport's. the fiesta has too many buttons for my liking. all 3 obviously have largely hard plastic interiors, but the sonic's and fiesta's look nicer. pre-facelift sonics have a really unique motorcycle-themed gauge cluster to match the exterior that set it apart for me
ride quality:
1. sonic
2. fiesta
3. fit
this is where the sonic really stands out as a subcompact. amazing ride quality, super quiet. fiesta is about middle-of-the-road and the fit sucks ass
performance:
1. fiesta
2. sonic
3. fit
i give the fiesta the edge here as the fiesta blows out the subcompact competition due to the st trim level's 197 horsepower. one negative i'll say with the sonic is that it has clunky gear ratios that don't allow you to accelerate quickly at a smooth rate. i don't really mind it because i'm not someone who feels the need to accelerate quickly on a regular basis, but if performance matters to you then that's something of note. but it still beats out the fit. because, i mean, it's the fit....
cargo area:
1. fit
2. sonic
3. fiesta
i believe the fit destroys the sonic and fiesta in this category. i basically never utilize the cargo area in my car, so it's whatever for me. but the fit definitely wins this category
rear seat room:
1. fit
2. sonic
3. fiesta
i think the fit and sonic are close here. the fiesta's rear seats are so cramped they're virtually unuseable for adults
fuel economy:
1. fit
2. fiesta
3. sonic
easily the fit. sonic's fuel economy is a bit low for it's class and especially low for the rs or the 1.8 liter base motor
reliability:
1. fit
2. sonic
3. fiesta
fit wins this one by a landslide and i don't think i need to explain. sonic also beats out the fiesta by a solid margin because ford.... yeah
safety:
1. sonic
2. fiesta
3. fit
the sonic really shines here. 5-star crash rating and a top safety pick most years (top safety pick criteria frequently changes)
from '12-'15 the sonic posted 'good' ratings (the highest grade) in 4 of the 5 iihs crash tests, and a 'marginal' (2nd worst of 4 grades) in the small overlap crash test. at the time it was still the safest subcompact on the market because those are excellent scores
however, all sonics built march of '15 and onward were made with slight alterations to the car's structure and were designed with earlier-deploying airbags that boosted the sonic's small overlap crash test rating two notches from 'marginal' to 'good', arming the sonic with a top score of 'good' in all 5 iihs crash tests and earning the sonic a top safety pick to go along with its 5-star crash rating. this is why i'm trying to get my hands on a '16 sonic
in summary:
-if unique styling that stands out more, ride quality, and safety are your priorities then i'd recommend a sonic (with the post-facelift sonic losing the unique styling)
-if more traditional styling and superior power and performance are your thing then i'd recommend the fiesta st (lower trim level if you don't care about performance, but want a car that looks good)
-if reliability, practicality, and just getting from point A to point B are your priorities and you couldn't care less about styling then i'd recommend the fit
