Honda Fit Overview

Honda's Fit 5-door, 5-seat hatchback competes with many technologically advanced subcompacts but deserves a look for those who place interior versatility and driving dynamics as top priorities. The Fit uses Honda's 1.5-liter i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder, making 117 hp and mated to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The innovative second-row seat folds flat to accommodate up to 57.3 cubic feet of cargo, way above average for the segment, and can also flip up to reveal a large and tall cargo area behind the front seats. The front passenger seat folds down for additional space for long items. 2011 brings the addition of standard stability and traction control systems.

Other safety features include front side airbags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints and anti-lock braking, though the Fit uses rear drum brakes instead of discs. At around 27 city/33 highway mpg Honda's subcompact trails the segment leaders by a few mpg. Pricing starts at around $15,000.