from Car & Driver today:
https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...0Non%20Openers

Cheap new cars are barely a thing anymore, and the Honda Fit was one of the best in recent memory. The first two generations were real standouts because of the way they combined fuel efficiency with sharp handling and a huge cargo area. The third and final generation of the Fit shared the same innovative layout that placed the fuel tank under the front seats, meaning it was still amazingly spacious and versatile for its diminutive size. But it didn’t have quite as quirky of a personality and wasn’t as fun to drive as its predecessors were. Even so, when Honda canceled the Fit in 2020 it was a huge loss for budget-minded buyers and enthusiasts alike. For a base price of just over $17,000, the Fit offered more cargo space than many small SUVs along with up to 36 mpg combined and a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. The HR-V subcompact SUV that was spawned from the Fit’s platform is a sorry substitute, as it costs significantly more, is less fun to drive, and will abandon its Fit underpinnings with the redesigned 2023 model. The fact that the charming Fit hatchback has continued on elsewhere in the world makes its loss sting even more. —Joey Capparella

 

And in this SIFTTF (S* Is Flying Toward The Fan) times, the great gas mileage and even the tiny fuel tank is a boon.
I mean, who'd want to bother stealing fuel from such a tiny thing?

 

I just had a great discussion with someone about how EVs will save us. They are convinced that the EV is better value (Hyundai Niro $40000) and better for the environment - yet this LX Fit gets 42 mpg of real gas mileage at $17000 US out the door. I haven't seen a great analysis of how a heavy metal battery and all of the industry retooling at an upcharge of $23000 saves the environment and is a value to the owner. It's a long payout for that money - and still need to spend to get charging capacity at home and lack of a good nationwide network in the US.

 

The industry loves the EV right now for one reason - it's the increased profit margin on technology trade-up. Remember the LP to CD conversion that promised lower cost music (CDs lasted longer but still are starting to fail 35+ years out)?

 

EV and gas cars are both bad for the world. Less cars are better than more cars regardless of power source.

 

"Less cars" or "Fewer cars"?

I think there are people driving around in way too much car than they really need (e.g. 3-row crossover being used to transport one person and no cargo 99.99% of the time). Actual people doing work (semi's hauling useful stuff, trucks carrying materials, minivans moving people around) are all cool to me, but man, most cars are over-sized these days, especially in the US.
We Fit owners know better, of course.

 

Both. Cars should be smaller. But there should be fewer cars on the road. Cars are one of the primary enemies of good, safe cities and climate protection.