Is there any sports car that is similar to the GE’s handling characteristics?

 

No.

Fits are tall, fairly softly sprung, and feature semi-independent rear suspension.

Sports cars really aren’t any of those things.

a stock miata will roll around a lot like a Fit and be fairly forgiving, but still don’t ‘handle like a Fit’

 

No, because sports cars are RWD. Though, with some more front camber and more roll stiffness, a Fit can turn respectfully.
A Fiesta or Mazda 2, 2000-2007 Focus hatches, would be similar and have been built for cheap commuting without forgetting that small cars can be fun too.

 

I assume you meant in a positive way, but I don't find the handling of the Fit to be the absolute best, largely because of the beam rear suspension. If you just enjoy, and I also do, the relatively immediate sense of direction and lightness of a small car ... well the answer is also not that many, because most other small cars have softer steering than a Honda and less attention paid to visibility and body roll. The mazda2 that was contemporary with the GE is actually better to drive. But overall many cars of the same weight as the Fit are going to have similar handling characteristics simply because they are tiny.

​​​​​​I am a bit curious what a car like the Hyundai Venue is like, but I can not be bothered to go figure it out. I wouldn't do anything useful with this info.

At the time of the GE, a decent number of people were cross shopping or trading up to the Golf, some of them the GTI. I can't imagine it feels like the Honda, having driven other VWs, but in case that's a useful suggestion...

I just got a new Civic hatchback. It feels nothing like the Fit. It doesn't roll, has minimal understeer, and the steering feels like it directly controls every part of the body motion. I feel like the first gen NSX probably felt like that, and it doesn't feel at all small or light or economy. I like the safety, but I miss the small Fit.