Reviews of Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Versa

Small cars are big again. Triggered by recent spikes at the pump and the continuing threat of unstable fuel prices, consumers and automakers are once again serious about efficient transportation. The result is the reemergence of the all-but-forgotten subcompact - or "B" class - segment.

We recently sampled three diminutive hatchbacks from Japan's big three: Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Versa. While smaller than most, these cars are a far cry from the "econoboxes" of old. Competent and refined, this trio doesn't make you feel like you're driving in a penalty box on wheels. They are well built with the quality and attention-to-detail that we've come to expect from these three automakers ... to the point where it's easy to forget that you're driving an entry-level car.

Whether intended as a first car, college car, city car, or economical daily commuter, these new subcompacts are easy on the wallet. All three deliver real-world mileage in the mid-30 mpg range. EPA numbers are 33 city and 38 highway for the Fit, 30 city and 36 highway for the Versa, and 34 city and 40 highway for the Yaris.

The Nissan Versa is the largest and heaviest of this group and has a correspondingly larger 1.8-liter engine, compared to the 1.5-liter four cylinder engines in both the Fit and Yaris. All three carry CARB LEV-2 ULEV (Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle) emissions ratings. Thanks to sophisticated engine controls and advanced technology like variable valve timing, these engines make a lot happen with little in the way of engine size. Honda's 1.5-liter, 16-valve SOHC VTEC four-cylinder produces 109 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, with 105 lbs-ft of torque. The Yaris 1.5-liter four is fitted with dual-overhead cams and produces 106 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, with 103 lbs-ft of torque. The larger Versa's 1.8-liter single overhead cam 16-valve engine cranks out 122 horsepower at a lower 5,200 rpm and produces 127 lbs-ft of torque.

If you haven't been in a small car for a while, you're in for a pleasant surprise. The light weight and willing engines in all three make them fun to drive, as well as economical. They're quick enough, too. Both the Versa and Fit will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds flat, while the Yaris is a touch quicker in the mid 8-second range. Each is quite nimble and a blast to point down a stretch of twisty two-lane road. Unlike the economy cars of old, these feel solid and well planted, never twitchy or busy. Of the group, the Honda Fit Sport gets our nod in the handling department, and we confess to not always taking the shortest distance between two points if the alternate turned out to be a "driver's" road.

Obviously, this class of car works great in an urban environment. Each of our testers allowed zipping in and out of traffic with ease. When it comes time to park, you don't have to shy away from those spaces marked "compact," either. Plus, parallel parking is a cinch.

The five-door Fit hatchback is a model that Honda sells in other markets, where it's known as the Jazz. Likewise, the U.S. market Versa can be found in other countries under the model name Tiida. Both the Versa and Yaris are available in hatchback or sedan versions, though the Yaris hatch is a three-door compared to the five-door Jazz and Versa hatches.

Perhaps most impressive is the way this new generation of subcompacts accommodates passengers and cargo. While small on the outside, all three feel surprisingly big on the inside. Interior designers have taken cues from minivan and SUV platforms to create very flexible interior spaces. The Honda Fit, for example, has a rear seat that not only folds completely flat thanks to collapsing seat cushion supports, but the bottom cushion also flips up and out of the way to provide more than 4 feet of floor-to-ceiling clearance. All three offer impressive interior volumes, with the Yaris offering 84.6 cubic feet, the Fit 90.1 cubic feet, and the Versa 94.4 cubic feet.

It doesn't take long to get used to driving one of these next-generation subcompacts, either. We transitioned from a mid-sized hybrid SUV with little acclimation time. All have unique interior features. The Yaris, for instance, has a center dash instrument pod. While this design statement sets the Yaris apart, we would prefer the gauges in a more direct line-of-sight. A common tall cabin profile translates into plenty of headroom in these vehicles, enhancing the larger-than-they-really-are impression.

In addition to inexpensive operation, these cars won't set you back much on initial purchase, either. The Yaris is the least expensive to buy with a base manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $11,150 for the three-door hatch, and $12,025 for the sedan. Add another $900 if you want an automatic transmission. Nissan's base MSRP for the Versa hatchback and sedan is $12,550, with an additional $800 required if opting for the automatic. The Honda Fit starts at a base price of $13,850, with a bump upward to $15,170 for the Sport model plus $800 more if you must have a five-speed automatic. That extra eight bills is worth it, in our estimation. In fact, Honda's five-speed automatic changed our perception of small displacement engines and automatic transmissions. With this automatic's manual mode - which allows gear changes to be selected by steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters - it's easy to have fun with an automatic.

The best part about owning one of these three super-subcompacts takes place when you pull up to the pump. If you put more than 10 gallons in the tank then you were running on fumes. The Versa has the biggest tank at 13.2 gallons, while the Yaris holds 11.1 gallons and the Fit takes 10.8 gallons. Often enough, a top-off is less than twenty bucks...and that's like money in the bank.

SPECIFICATIONS

2007 HONDA FIT
Base MSRP	$ 13,850
Engine	1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder
Horsepower	109 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	105 lbs-ft @ 4,800 rpm
Interior Volume	90.5 cu-ft
Curb Weight	2,477 lbs
Fuel Capacity	10.8 gal
EPA City/Highway	33/38 mpg

2007 NISSAN VERSA 1.8S
Base MSRP	$12,550
Engine	1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder
Horsepower	122 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Torque	127 lbs-ft @ 4,800 rpm
Interior Volume	94.4 cu-ft
Curb Weight	2,725 lbs
Fuel Capacity	13.2 gal
EPA City/Highway	30/34 mpg

2007 TOYOTA YARIS LIFTBACK
Base MSRP	$11,150
Engine	1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder
Horsepower	106 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	103 lbs-ft @ 4,200 rpm
Interior Volume	84.6 cu-ft
Curb Weight	2,290 lbs
Fuel Capacity	11.1 gal
EPA City/Highway	34/40 mpg