10 Honda Fit Competitors to Consider

2019 Honda Fit black driving ・ Photo by Honda

The five-door Honda Fit is one of the best subcompact cars on the market, offering an amazing amount of interior room and cargo space, a good ride, decent handling and good fuel economy (up to 36 mpg combined), all at a starting price of $16,190 for a 2019 model.

All Fits are powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 130 hp when paired with the six-speed manual, or 128 hp when paired with the continuously variable transmission. Base models come with the standard level of equipment, including air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and power locks.

But are there better cars out there? To help you decide, the editors at Autobytel have created a list of 10 Honda Fit competitors to consider.

2018 Toyota Yaris Liftback

Previously known as just the Yaris, the three- or five-door Yaris Liftback takes a bit of an old-school approach to the subcompact hatchback, offering just enough power, average fuel economy, and decent but not outstanding handling and ride comfort, all at a starting price of $15,635.

The 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generates 106 hp and can be paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, and fuel economy is rated at 33 and 32 mpg combined, respectively. The front seats are similar in size to the Fit, as is cargo volume with the rear seats up, but the rear seats themselves are quite a bit smaller, especially in terms of leg room.

Photo by Toyota

2018 Fiat 500

If you’re looking for a Honda Fit competitor with some Italian flair and go-kart-like handling, the three-door FIAT 500 has your bases covered starting at $16,245. However, it isn’t nearly as practical as the Fit and you’ll have to sacrifice a significant amount of rear seat room and cargo space.

Most models are powered by a 135-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter engine backed by either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, but Abarth models get a 160 hp version of the same power plant. None of the models are particularly quick, but the manual versions feel significantly faster, while also being more economical with a combined fuel economy rating of 30 mpg versus the automatic’s 27 mpg.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Toyota Prius C

The Toyota Prius C is the only hybrid on our list of 10 Honda Fit competitors to consider. And with a starting price of $21,530, it’s also one of the most expensive cars on our list, but it still has a lot going for it.

The Prius C’s main selling point is its fuel economy, with a combined rating of 46 mpg. With the 1.5-liter four-cylinder and electric motors combining for just 99 hp, the Prius C isn’t quick, nor is it fun to drive (unless eeking out the best possible fuel economy is fun to you). The front seat is roomy enough and there’s plenty of room in the cargo area, but the rear seat can’t quite match the Fit’s.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Ford Fiesta

Though it’s starting to show its age, the Ford Fiesta is a fun to drive subcompact car with nimble handling, and more than enough power in the 160-hp ST hatchback (our pick of the bunch).

Power for all other models comes from a far less exciting 120-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder that’s paired with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, a combination that’s good for 30 and 31 mpg combined, respectively. The Fiesta’s front seats are similar in size to the Fit, but the rear seat and cargo area are significantly smaller. Prices start at $14,260 for the sedan and $15,790 for the hatch, with the ST starting at $21,340.

Photo by Ford

2019 Mini Cooper

If you’re looking for a subcompact that’s a bit more upscale, the MINI Cooper is worth a look. Refreshed for 2019 and starting at $21,900, the Cooper is available in both two-door and four-door configurations.

Power comes from a 134-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, or a 189-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder (or a 228-hp version in the John Cooper Works), either of which can be backed by either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is relatively decent (with combined ratings between 26 mpg for the John Cooper Works to 32 mpg for a manual three-cylinder), but it’s in the handling department where the Cooper shines. On the practicality side, front seat room is similar to the Fit, but the rear seat and cargo areas are considerably smaller.

Photo by MINI

2019 Chevrolet Spark

Updated for 2019, the Chevrolet Spark is on the smaller end of the subcompact scale, offering less interior room than many of the other cars on our list (and significantly less than the Fit).

On the other hand, with a starting price of $13,220, it’s the cheapest car on our list, though it doesn’t make you feel like you sacrificed (anything other than size) in order to save money, with a nice interior and a surprisingly good and planted ride for such a small car. Power comes from a 1.4-liter four-cylinder that puts out a relatively tame 98 hp. Both a five-speed manual and continuously variable transmission are offered, with both offering a combined fuel economy rating of 33 mpg.

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Hyundai Accent

The Hyundai Accent has a starting price of $14,995, but for the money you get all the standard features, including remote keyless entry.

Power comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that’s good for 130 hp, combined with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, with fuel economy of 31 and 32 mpg combined. Though not overtly sporty, the Accent can be good fun to drive flat out through tight sections of road. The Accent offers similar front seat accommodations as the Fit, but the rear seat is smaller, especially in the leg room department. And as a sedan-only model, the Accent obviously can’t compete with the Fit in terms of cargo capacity.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic is a subcompact car that’s often overlooked, but starting at $15,420 for a sedan (and $18,020 for a hatchback), it has quite a few things going for it, including its attractive exterior styling and its comfortable and quiet interior.

The base 138-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine reminds us of four-cylinder economy cars from days gone by, but go for the optional turbocharged 1.4-liter four and the story changes (despite the same 138-hp rating), with better response and higher efficiency (with combined ratings of up to 31 mpg). The Sonic is smaller inside than the Fit, especially when it comes to rear leg room, though it does have more cargo space with the rear seat up.

Photo by Chevrolet

2018 Kia Rio

You can get into a Kia Rio sedan for $13,900, and a hatchback for just $300 more. Of course for that money, you’ll have to do without keyless entry or power windows, though you do get air conditioning, power door locks and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

All models are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that generates 130 hp, backed by either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission (combined fuel economy is rated at 32 mpg, regardless of transmission). The Rio has a roomier cabin than the Fit in most dimensions, and the five-door offers more cargo space than the Fit with the rear seats up (but can’t compete with the Fit when the rear seats are down).

Photo by Kia

2019 Toyota Yaris

Despite being marketed and sold as a Toyota, the Yaris sedan (formerly known as the Yaris iA, not to be confused with the Yaris Liftback, a model built and designed by Toyota) was designed and is actually built by Mazda, so it shares traits with many other Mazdas.

It’s surprisingly fun to drive for such a small and modestly-powered car (106 hp from its Mazda-sourced 1.5-liter four-cylinder), it’s economical (35 mpg combined with the automatic, 34 mpg with the manual), and it has a nice interior. And with a starting price of $15,450, it isn’t overly expensive. It is available only in sedan form, so it isn’t ideal if you need to carry lots of cargo, but otherwise the Yaris is one of the smartest buys in the subcompact segment.

Photo by Toyota