Ford Fiesta vs. Honda Fit: Battle of Subcompacts

Trying to decide between the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit? Both of these subcompact cars offer great value for the money, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we'll compare the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit head-to-head to help you decide which car is right for you. We'll cover everything from engine and performance to fuel economy, features, and pricing. So, whether you're a first-time car buyer or you're just looking for a new ride, read on to learn more about the Ford Fiesta vs. Honda Fit: Battle of Subcompacts.

I. Ford Fiesta vs. Honda Fit: A Comparison of Two Subcompact Cars

Engine and Performance

The Ford Fiesta is powered by a 1.6-liter Ti-VCT I-4 engine that produces 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque. The Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter DOHC I-4 engine that produces 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of performance, the Honda Fit has a slight edge over the Ford Fiesta. The Fit's engine produces more horsepower and torque, and it is also lighter than the Fiesta. As a result, the Fit accelerates more quickly and has a higher top speed than the Fiesta.

Dimensions

The Ford Fiesta is slightly larger than the Honda Fit. The Fiesta is 172.2 inches long, 68.1 inches wide, and 57.9 inches tall. The Fit is 161.4 inches long, 66.9 inches wide, and 60.0 inches tall.

The Fiesta's larger size gives it a more spacious interior than the Fit. The Fiesta has 94.5 cubic feet of passenger space, while the Fit has 89.3 cubic feet of passenger space. The Fiesta also has a larger cargo capacity than the Fit. The Fiesta has 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Fit has 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Fuel Economy

The Honda Fit is more fuel-efficient than the Ford Fiesta. The Fit gets an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The Fiesta gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The Fit's better fuel economy is due to its lighter weight and more efficient engine. The Fit weighs about 2,500 pounds, while the Fiesta weighs about 2,700 pounds. The Fit's engine is also more efficient than the Fiesta's engine. The Fit's engine uses variable valve timing and direct injection, while the Fiesta's engine does not.

Features

The Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit offer a similar range of features. Both cars come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, rearview camera, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Fiesta also comes standard with SYNC 3 infotainment system, which includes voice control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Fit comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, which includes lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Both cars offer a variety of optional features, such as navigation, heated seats, and a sunroof. The Fiesta offers a few more optional features than the Fit, such as blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning.

Pricing

The Ford Fiesta has a lower starting price than the Honda Fit. The Fiesta starts at $14,090, while the Fit starts at $16,320. However, the Fit offers more standard features than the Fiesta, so it may be a better value for some buyers.

Ultimately, the best car for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for a fun-to-drive car with a spacious interior, the Ford Fiesta is a good choice. If you're looking for a fuel-efficient car with a lot of standard features, the Honda Fit is a good choice.

• Ford Fiesta: Compact Car with Big Personality
• Honda Fit: Versatile Subcompact Hatchback

II. Performance and Fuel Economy

Engine and Performance

The Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit both offer a variety of engine options, with the Fiesta offering four powertrains and the Fit offering two. The base engine in the Fiesta is a 1.6-liter Ti-VCT I-4 with 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides adequate power for most driving situations, but it can feel underpowered when merging onto the highway or passing other vehicles. For more power, you can upgrade to the 1.0-liter EcoBoost I-3 with 123 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque, or the 1.6-liter EcoBoost I-4 with 197 horsepower and 202 lb-ft of torque. These engines provide a significant boost in power and acceleration, but they also come with a higher price tag.

The Honda Fit comes standard with a 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC I-4 engine with 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides good fuel economy but lacks the power of the Fiesta's optional engines. If you want more power, you can upgrade to the 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo I-4 with 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides a noticeable boost in power and acceleration, but it also comes with a higher price tag.

Dimensions

The Ford Fiesta is slightly smaller than the Honda Fit, with a length of 172.2 inches, a width of 68.1 inches, and a height of 57.9 inches. The Fit is 161.4 inches long, 66.9 inches wide, and 60.0 inches tall. This makes the Fit easier to maneuver and park in tight spaces, but it also means that it has less interior space than the Fiesta.

The Fiesta's interior has 5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 24.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Fit has 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This makes the Fit a more versatile vehicle for carrying cargo, especially if you frequently need to transport large or bulky items.

Read: Hands-On Review: 2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Off-Roading Technology

Fuel Economy

The Ford Fiesta gets better fuel economy than the Honda Fit, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway with the base 1.6-liter engine. The Fit gets an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway with the base 1.5-liter engine. If you opt for the more powerful engines, fuel economy will decrease slightly. The Fiesta's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway, while the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The Fit's 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine gets an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

III. Interior and Features

Comfort and Convenience

The Fiesta's interior is comfortable and well-appointed, with plenty of room for both front and rear passengers. The seats are well-padded and provide good support, even on long drives. The cabin is quiet and well-insulated from road noise. The Fiesta comes standard with a variety of features that make it a pleasure to drive, including air-conditioning, cruise control, and power windows and door locks.

Features and Technology

The Fiesta also comes with a number of features that keep you connected and entertained on the road. The SYNC 3 infotainment system is easy to use and includes a variety of features, such as voice-activated navigation, music streaming, and smartphone integration. The Fiesta also comes with a number of safety features, such as anti-lock breaks, traction control, and stability control. These features help to keep you and your passengers safe on the road.

IV. Safety and Reliability

Key Safety Features

The Fiesta and Fit both come standard with a suite of safety features, including:

• Anti-lock brakes
• Electronic stability control
• Traction control
• Airbags

Reliability Ratings

Both the Fiesta and Fit have good reliability ratings. The Fiesta received a 4 out of 5 rating from J.D. Power and Associates, while the Fit received a 3.5 out of 5 rating. These ratings indicate that both cars are likely to be reliable and trouble-free.

V. Conclusion

The Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit are both great subcompact cars, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The Fiesta is more fun to drive and has a more powerful engine, while the Fit is more fuel-efficient and has more cargo space. Ultimately, the best car for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for a fun-to-drive car that's still affordable, the Fiesta is a great choice. If you're looking for a fuel-efficient car with plenty of cargo space, the Fit is a great choice.