k,

looking to get a subcompact car for my commute. test drove the mazda3 skyactiv, honda fit, an the toyota yaris.

i've test drove the skyactiv in 5 speed, fit in five speed, and the yaris in automatic.

i think it's down to the fit and yaris. 5 speed a must and looking at the sport model for the fit and the SE model for the yaris.

both get about the same amount of gas mileage. i am liking the magic seats from the honda and it seems to drive a bit more sporty.

my commute is 55 miles each way.

preference/suggestion welcomed.

thanks in advance.

 

We had a 2009 Fit Sport up until this year when we sold it for a new Impreza Wagon.

Had we not had a baby on the way we would have kept the Fit. Super reliable car that has TONS of cargo space and gets great gas mileage. Highly recommend it.

 

The 2012 Impreza is really cool and gets:
"Fuel economy, manual transmission (city/highway): 25/34 mpg (4-door), 25/33 mpg (5-door)
Fuel economy, automatic transmission (city/highway): 27/36 mpg
Fuel requirement: Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)"

Copied from Subaru's site.

I just know for me, that I would be disappointed in the Fit and Yaris. I am Subaru all the way. The 2012 Impreza is one of the best out there!

 

+1! I have my mom thinking of trying to trade in her '09 Forester for a '12 Impreza simply to save on gas. We also have a 55 mile each way commute.

 

Yeah, they don't really need the forester. Easier to get in and out of but that's about it.

 

Curious as to why you didn't like the mazda?

 

I have heard good things about the new Fiat 500. No first hand experience though.

 

sounds like you already made up your mind you just want some to confirm your decision. I was the same way when i got my 1st car.
fits have the better resale value. and you could do a K24 swap later if you ever want to make it fast lol

 

500 is cool. I've been in a few, but it is tiny. Great car for a city like SF or L.A.

 

Another vote for the 2012 impreza sedan/hatch.

 

What's your price range and do you really need a hatch?

I was recently looking for a new car and ended up with a '12 TSX SE 6MT. I love the car, it's very comfortable and has a good amount of luxury, great for long commutes. Trunk is surprisingly roomy. Mileage is great and K24 is a nice engine, suspension is set up nicely and it has double-wishbone in the front. It's pricier than the cars you are looking at, but right now they are basically giving these things away (I think 2012 is the last year of the TSX, though Honda won't say it just yet). I was considering a Mazda 3 Skyactive as well, the TSX is much nicer (tough more expensive).

The new Imprezas are looking pretty good, too.

Stan

 

The magic seats in the fit are amazing, you get a ton of use out of it.

 

I have one critical question:
What's the budget?

 

This.

Looks like your price range is hovering around the $17,000 to $20,000 range.

From what I've heard, the Fit is an awesome car. I would definitely pick it as my next car if it wasn't for the drum brakes. I'm sure it can stop adequately, but a peace of mind with disk brakes is nice.

Like others have mentioned, why not the 2012 Impreza Hatch? It's a great car, lots of room (and rear legroom!), and safe as well. The only downside I've seen are with the multiple TSBs and some issues with the car, such as moisture on the inside of the windows or something. If you get a 2013 model, they should be solved by then.

 

I'd recommend the fit, my girl has a 2011 sport and I drive it time to time. Surprisingly powerful for such a small car with the amount of power it outputs in the 1.5. Very spacious. When we go out with the family we drive her car over my is250 simply because its roomier in the back seats (if that's a concern for you...). As for the drum brakes per dSpec says, I wouldn't worry at all because after all, its a lightweight slow car, the stock brakes works just fine as long as you got good tires on.

As for comfort (since your commuting with the car 55 miles each way) I think its fairly comfortable (and I'm actually comparing this to my IS250...) for a non-luxury sports hatchback. The 2012 supposedly has better sound deadening as well and audio control buttons on the steering wheel.