Car and Driver magazine compared the Dodge Caliber, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio5, Nissan Versa, Susuki Reno and Toyota Yaris.

Here is how the Fit 5-speed compared to the others, by the numbers

C/D test results
braking, 70-0,feet - 169 4th (4 feet more than 1st)
roadholding, 300' skidpad,g - .79g 2nd (.01 behind 1st)
lane change, mph - 71.4 1st (6.0 mph better than 2nd)
lb per bhp - 22.8 4th (2.5 behind 1st)
0-30 mph - 2.7 sec. 1st (ave. 2.9)
0-60 mph - 8.7 sec. 1st (ave. 9.4)
0-100 mph - 31.1 sec. 4th (.5 sec. behind 1st)
Qtr. mile - 16.7 sec. 1st (ave. 17.1)
rolling 5-60 mph - 9.6 sec. 2nd (.1 sec. behind 1st)
top gear 30-50 mph - 12.0 3rd (1.7 sec. behind 1st)
top gear 50-70 mph - 13.5 3rd (1.6 sec. behind 1st)
top speed - 114 (drag ltd) 3rd (5 mph behind 1st)
sound level
idle - 40 dBA 3rd (2 behind 1st)
full throttle - 75 dBA 2nd (1 behind 1st)
70 mph cruise - 73 dBA 7th (4 behind 1st)
fuel economy, mpg
EPA city - 33 2nd (1 behind 1st)
EPA Hwy - 38 2nd (2 behind 1st)
C/D 1000 mile trip - 35 2nd (1 behind 1st)

In general, the Yaris had the best fuel economy
the Reno was the fastest
the Accent was the quietest
the Caliber had the most power
the Rio5 had the best brakes
and the Honda Fit was the best overall (IMHO )

When the Fit didn't come in 1st or second it was so close that it really didn't matter with the one exception being road noise at 70 mph.

 

Well, reno tied fit w/ fastest.

 

Great info and thanks for the quick write-up

 

Thats some good info, numbers look good. Does this mean the Fit came in first overall in the comparison?

 

Yes, the Fit finished first in the C&D comparo by a good 25 points. Of note - C&D says the Fit completed the lane change test the fastest of everything they've ever tested - including a Corvette Z06. Good numbers indeed.

 

All the other cars don't look as good as the Fit. I've spent a lot of time looking at this article, crunching numbers. Here's what I like:

Lightweight, I can't believe how heavy the Versa is. 2700+ lbs. That's not a small car. Even the Fit is kind of heavy for a subcompact. My '95 Civic EX with sunroof spec'd out at 2443 lbs, about 15-20 lbs light than the Fit, but Fit is still light.

Fit has the best gear ratios, and lowest Final drive. I think that, coupled with the lightweight (only the Yaris sedan was lighter) made it the quickest in 1/4 mile.

The slick and quality transmission and shifter.

I like the Kia Rio5, but the big ugly bumper guards on the side and bumpers just kill the looks of the Rio5. Otherwise, that car, if it had any kind of aftermarket would be a nice one. Overall, it comes in second place in the looks department behind the Fit.

The Fit has great aftermarket!

Those are my reasons for digging the Fit.

 

Personally I would like it if the Fit had a bigger aftermarket as far as the engine department is concerned. Im not that big into looks so im not one to spend $2k for a JDM body kit but would easily spend that much on a turbo kit if it suited my needs/wants. Im hoping to see more engine parts offered for the Fit in the near future, that would be icing on the cake.

 

I'm sure this will happen soon - I remember reading somewhere that Spoon has their Fit up to 125whp already, so the parts to do that should be out soon.

 

The only thing I worry about is road noise at highway speed. This seems to be the only consistent drawback with Hondas. I have a long daily commute and ruled out a CR-V once I test drove it on the highway I use every day. My Accord wagon was noisy when new, and got worse when it was old. My consolation was that it had only a minor squeak in the dash when it was over 10 years old with 260,000+ miles on it. Other vehicles I've driven that were only 2-3 years old with low miles, may have had quieter engines, but developed annoying noises from the dash, etc. I had the satisfaction of driving on by much newer vehicles broken down by the side of the road -- or filling up at the pump more often. I'm supposed to get my Fit on April 20 and I'll let you know what I think about the road noise.

 

One thing that seems to be a constant from reviewers is the rigid platform and total lack of interior rattles in the Fit.
I can deal with a little road noise (I have a 02 CRV) but interior squeaks drive me frakin' crazy!

 

I think most of everyone that has driven the Fit has scored it as a great car. Now we will just have to see how it sells.

 

What exactly does the lane-change maneuver consist of? (And yes, I know it consists of changing lanes) What is the measurement?

 

IIRC simply a super fast lance change through some cones to simulate avoiding a parked car, deer, debris, etc. A great way to test a car's handling at higher speeds.