Today I test drove the '09 Fit Sport Auto, '09 Matrix Auto, & '09 Corrolla 5 speed (because there weren't any 5 speed Matrix's available.)

I'm most interested in the Sport Manual Fit but none were on the lot. Without getting wordy here are my conclusions:

Fit Sport Advantages:

• Seems more roomy and open inside
• Easy to see everything around you...almost an unobstructed 360 degree view
• Peppy engine (didn't drive the 5 speed though)
• Seems quieter and smoother on speeds above 60mph than the '09 Matrix
• Stereo and A/C controls have HUGE interface (I didn't like it at first until I drove it. Things are so easy to reach and control. This is where practicality goes above looks.)
• Seats fold down easier
• Dash gauges looks better and easier to read...LOVE the real time MPG
• Better MPG than the Matrix
• Smaller length...fits in my garage better
• Taller cargo area (great for my mountain bike)
• Car seems cooler and fresher than the '09 Matrix

Matrix Advantages:

• More HP (didn't feel it though)
• Seems quieter and smoother on speeds below 60mph
• Seat height adjuster
• Bigger cargo space
• Rugged cargo area when seats are down... no carpet (The Fit really should learn from this)
• Can buy the Pontiac Vibe (same car) for less and get 100k warranty (or is it lifetime?)
• Dealer can get my exact desired configuration within 48 hours - availability is better

Other observations:

• Paddle shifters on Fit Auto (I want the manual but if I had an Auto, the shifters would be a great toy)
• The '08 Matrix had inferior interior materials compared to the '08. Now it's even with the '09 cars
• Both cars look great but I'll give a slight edge to the '09 Matrix due to the nose on the Fit
• Toyota has electronic steering which makes the steering wheel feel extremely light (I didn't like this but I can see how some will)
• The '09 Matrix is really a Corolla (boring)

Overall I'm leaning towards the Fit but both cars are great. The Matrix cost a little more than the Fit which is a disadvantage I didn't list.

 

nice write up! the fit also has electric power assisted rack & pinion steering like the matrix... honda did a really good job with it though, i like the feel of how the fit steers.. my brother's chevy malibu has electric steering too and it is so light i can't stand it

 

I was also looking at both these cars and I ended up with Fit 09 MT. I test drove the MT Matrix and both the AT and MT 09 Fits. I'm loving the MT. You should really find a 09 Fit with MT before deciding.

Several observations about these cars and your comments:
1. Honda Fit 09 has more cargo space. The Matrix has 19.8 cubic feet with seets up and 48.9 with seets down. The 09 Fit has 20.6 and 57.3. The 09 Fit has over 8 cubic feet of cargo space over the Matrix with back seats down.
2. I agree about rugged cargo space on Matrix but the negative is that stuff can slide around a lot (and if you drive your cars like I do this happens). For $106 I bought a Honda cargo mat for Fit that is rugged, has edges, and stuff does not slide around.
3. The Matrix has more HP but I would guess that the Fit 09 is quicker (though I have not seen 0-60 numbers for both cars).
4. Handling is better on 09 Fit Sport than base Matrix. In my mind this is by a large margin.
5. The 09 Fit has a lot more hip room in back seat than the Matrix. This was a huge issue for me with 2 kids and a dog. The Matrix has 43.7 inches of hip room in back and the 09 Fit has 51.3 inches. That seven inches is very significant.
6. The 09 Fit Sport MT is more fun to drive than the MT Matrix.

You cant go wrong with either car.

 

nice reviews guys. very good info.
i personally always liked the older matrix.
the new one just doesn't do it for me.
but i never got one. thank god cause i got
the Fit now.

 

Isn't the Fit up against Scion vehicles (esp. xD and maybe xB) rather than the Vibe/Matrix??

 

yeah more so the toyota yaris, suzuki aero.. etc..

 

Nice review!

I saw a couple 09 MatrixS's around lately, very nice looking hatch. I like it The non S Matrix is very un-attractive though.

 

Vibe also has the advantage of lower price due to GM Employee discounts. I got price of $18250 for the AWD, but passed. Resale would be the disadvantage.

 

Thanks for your review..

 

I test drove the Scion and Yaris... they felt too cheap and didn't it was worth the review. The Fit compares better to the Matrix in my opinion. At least that's the car I was considering to buy. It's the Fit all the way for me.

The build quality of the Fit is almost up there with the current gen CR-V.

 

Yup...agree 100%.

 

i hate the look of the current crv and how it is AT only. Never drove it though, how does it compare to the second gen?

 

Are you serious??? I can say that the build is even better than Honda Civic coz I know that the current CR-V interior build is better than Civic but the CR-V body is very stiff. I can hear the squeak on the chassis.

3rdGen CR-V is way much better than 2nd Gen CR-V. My parents had both last time so I know how it drives.