If safety is your main concern then bigger is better as mentioned earlier. You will have to sacrifice MPG for it but it will be safer.

If MPG, safety and space is important to you I'd highly consider getting a diesel wagon. I now own a SportWagen and without trying can average 37-38 MPG around town. Highway is over 40 and safety ratings are higher then the Fit. Now it is certainly no Honda when it comes to reliability (I have not had any issues with my VW's) but the diesel cars are pretty solid. It does add some extra stuff like if other people drive the car make sure they do not put gas in it. Some places diesel is more expensive then gas also. The SportWagon is hella fun to drive too, mine is a 6 speed manual but the dual clutch auto is nice too.

I do still miss the magic seats in the Fit but the SportWagon has been very useful with 2 kids and carrying their stuff.

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle...oor-wagon/2009

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle...oor-wagon/2009

 

Thank you for your reply. Yes safety is always my concern. So recently I went on a spree of watching actual accidents on YouTube... and it’s always very scary. For both sides both small and big cars. But of course do to the law of physics bigger mass and bigger heavier cars will of course be a more danger.

I don’t like putting that here on the fit forums because well... a fit is awesome etc I love the fit, I’ve never driven one but from videos everyone says it’s fun to drive. but yes safety is always my concern. But I wish my MPGs were higher as well. At most my CRV does 22 Average and about 26-30hw. For the family it really is pretty much perfect. But I did wish it just had a much better MPG.... Most newer CRVs and SUVs that I have seen actually have even better MPG. But now that you also recommended a diesel hmmm that interests me. I have learned a long while back that diesel burns much slower than regular gasoline. And I wondered why don’t manufacturers make their cars all diesel. And wow! That’s great MPG you are getting. That’s a great seller for me! And if it has great safety ratings even better!

Reliability is also a concern... for me anything Toyota or Honda. But I did hear VWs reliability is getting better over the years. And and yes definitely but I’m the only one that would be driving my car. And if someone else drives it the gas is always with half a tank.

Gas prices always concern me as well.

The main reason why I really wanted a Honda Fit is basically. The fuel economy. Had this CRV had similar economy to a Honda Fit (I heard some people get 37mpg on the highway consistently) Now... if gas prices dropped... (it’s about $3.19 per gallon. currently here in California. Cheapest is about $3.09, if you wanted cheaper than this you would have to go on an off brand maker. Are off brand maker good gasoline’s? Cheapest off brand here is maybe $2.79-$2.54) safety is also a concern. And finally. I do travel to like the mountains. The desert. I’m an outdoorsy person so I was thinking maybe the higher clearance of the CRV and overall ruggedness when tackling gravel roads or desert roads is worth sticking with it.

I think my full answer is an HRV.... if only I could afford it. That would answer my dilemma. Good Safety. Fuel economy similar to Honda Fit. Higher clearance. I think Honda thought “people want fuel economy like the fit. Want an Suv/Cuv want safety all in one package. HRV is the answer”

I will look into diesel cars as you mentioned from VWs. My priority is safety. Followed by fuel economy. Followed by overall car experience.

 

So I just Checked out the Jetta Sportswagon online. And wow... ok I’ll admit it at first I did not like the look of the outside of the car. But then again idk why but I actually did like cars like a Suburu Forester 2005 And those Volvo wagons. But once they went inside the car. Wow it’s like luxury! It’s very practical very roomy (I research detail for detail) my CRV is about 181’ in length. Honda Fit is maybe 161-164 inches. And the Volkswagon Sportswagon... about 178 inches. So the Volkswagon is pretty much like a Compact SUV. With the car like ride! With great and spacious room and safety all around. Some cars I’ve looked at... Toyota Prius V. And Pontiac Vibe.

What do you think of the Pontiac Vibe 2005-2007 BTW?

The Sportswagon is a really nice car btw especially in diesel. You made a fine choice!

 

Fits are awesome cars and I still miss mine at times. I had always owned Honda's and they have always been great to me. I am still a huge Honda fan boy but now that I have ventured into VW and German car territory I understand why people like them. You are correct that VW has gotten better over the years with reliability and some might argue that Honda has gone down. Toyota still remains top IMO and if reliability is #1 you can't go wrong with a Toyota. The HRV looks like a great in between and if you like sitting up high but want something small and good on gas it fit's the bill. Being able to go "off road" is a plus and the added ground clearance helps with that. You can actually put Tiguan springs on a SportWagon to raise it up a bit so it's more like a Forester. The low torque of the diesel is really nice for hills. I have virtually none around me but recently went to a hilly area in Maryland and the torque of the diesel shoots up the hills with ease.

Did I mention you can tow with it?!? Not advertised but in Europe they do it all the time. Diesel is very popular in Europe and something that just didn't take off in the US. There are things that are unique to diesel cars that may make them more of a hassle I guess. DEF fluid (my wagon doesn't take any), gelling in cold climates and getting the engine warm or started in cold temperatures. I don't think these are an issue nowadays with modern diesels and if you are in Cali don't need to worry. Diesel fuel attracts water so old diesel from some hole in the wall station with old tanks and little diesel traffic can ruin an engine. Diesel is also a lubricant so the water reduces the lubricity of it. You can use an additive if it's an issue or you are worried about it. Do you have BioDiesel near you? You can convert the car to run on old grease too lol.

I always stick with Top Tier fuel in my GTI but with my Honda's I just put whatever I am around at the time.

 

Thank you!

Lol yeah it certainly is not winning any beauty contests but what it lacks in beauty it makes up in MPG, versatility and fun to drive. The seats are much comfier then the ones in my GE Fit. Fit and finish is typical German quality (not as much as my GTI which was made in Germany) but still good. My Japan built Fit had great fit and finish also but didn't feel as grown up or upscale. The SportWagon feels more luxurious. Audi has a diesel wagon also that is basically a nicer SportWagon. I prefer the looks of it but it is smaller so I went for the more spacious option.

Interior of my SportWagen which is a 2014.



The ride in my SportWagen is very subtle and sporty. Since it has a longer wheel base then say a Fit it takes to rough roads with ease.

The Pontiac Vibe is basically a re-badged Toyota Matrix and the important stuff like the engine I think is a Toyota but I'd have to check. I always thought they were cool. I had a boss with a Matrix and he loved it.

After now daily driving a TDI wagon I get why Europeans love their "Estates" as they call them.

I love Volvo wagons and was considering them also. Forester was on the list but I don't need anything that "rugged" and the interior was not as nice IMO.

Edit: When I try I can get great MPG driving on country back roads.