Ford was kind enough to drop off a Euro-spec 2009 Ford Fiesta into the Edmunds garage last week, showcasing its sub-compact hatchback that's been taking Europe by storm. It will enter the U.S. market for 2011, though we're not entirely sure how much will change beyond the addition of a sedan body style. Our sincerest hope is that the answer is "not much," because the Fiesta is truly an impressive little compact car that could change the way Americans think about small cars.
Yet, that attitude has already begun to turn thanks to the Honda Fit, a marvel of interior packaging and driving fun that has been flying out of dealerships since the previous generation arrived for 2007. As the reigning champ in this class, how does the Fit compare to the Fiesta? While you'll have to wait a bit for a full comparison, we decided to Face-Off this week to give you a taste of each sub-compact's highs and lows.
To Face-Off in true fiesta style, editors James Riswick and Josh Sadlier pondered their chosen defendees over margaritas at Jim's Fiesta Taco Bar and Cantina as Associate Editor Mark Takahashi sat uncomfortably in the next booth jotting down their thoughts over a Bud Light Lime.
Opening Statements
James Riswick for the 2009 Ford Fiesta
The most important thing to know about the Ford Fiesta is that it's a real car, not just some subcompact toy you buy cause you can't afford anything else. Sit behind the chunky wheel in a sport seat that adjusts enough for tall people, look over a sculpted dash of high-quality materials, and feel the European ride that solidly thumps over bumps. The handling is sharp and the punchy engine makes the Fit seem gutless. The shifter's not great, but it feels better than the Fit's, which I'm not entirely convinced is mechanically attached to the transmission. Oh, and the Fiesta looks fantastic. I know Americans hate hatchbacks, but they really need to get over that because I know this Fiesta 5-door will look infinitely better than whatever the sedan manages to be. Look no further than the Yaris, Versa, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus as examples of hatchbacks that look better than the sedan. And no, I will not agree to disagree America. Hatchbacks are cool and the Fiesta is one of the coolest yet.
While driving the Fiesta last week, I could easily see myself owning one. I can't say that about any other sub-20-grand car on the market other than a base Mini Cooper. I don't just say that because it's one of the few small cars that I actually comfortably fit in, but because it doesn't seem like a sub-20-grand car. Very much like the Mazda 3, the Fiesta manages to feel like a richer car than its price would indicate. I think that's because it was born and bred in Europe, so I can only hope they don't muck it up when it crosses the pond.
Josh Sadlier for the 2009 Honda Fit
For the benefit of our readers, who don't have the privilege of seeing the facial expression that your little Fiesta festival provoked, I should disclose that I presently look like Takahashi after a big chin-puckering swig of that Bud Light Lime. Well, alright, except for the whole Japanese thing. Though a girl did once ask me once if I was part Japanese. True story. Suffice it to say that I wasn't impressed by her powers of perception.
Anyway, sure, the Fiesta's easily in the Mini Cooper class, a little car under $20k that I'd actually buy. We can agree on that. But we're not average consumers. Like that Weekly Top 3 guy was saying last week, we care about engine notes and body control and steering feel — all areas in which (1) the Fiesta trumps the Fit, and (2) most drivers have precisely zero interest. Typical hatchback buyers think the term "road manners" refers to the way you're supposed to act when riding in someone else's car. These people want versatility out of their compact hatches, and absolutely nothing touches the Fit in this regard, least of all the space-challenged Fiesta.
What's max cargo capacity going to be for the Fiesta, anyway? 40 cubic feet? I can't find an official figure that doesn't involve the metric system, but apparently the two-door Fiesta hatch has a measly 34.1 cubes. As for the Fit, it's got 57 cubes — more than the new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, for Lutz' sake. And the news isn't any better for the Fiesta when it comes to rear legroom: I tried to sit behind myself after I'd positioned the driver seat for my 6'1" frame, and I failed. My knees were practically poking through the seatback. No such issues in the Fit's astoundingly roomy rear quarters.
The Fiesta's easily the best drive in this segment, but the Fit is far more functional. For the average hatchback shopper, I'm afraid that's what matters most.
Rebuttals:
Riswick
Perhaps the average hatchback shopper my lobster-taco-eating friend, but the Fiesta can't worry about that group. Ford has to appeal to the majority of American shoppers who buy less practical sedans instead of hatchbacks because they remember the Gremlin or something. It has to appeal to shoppers who instinctively turn to Honda and Toyota for their tiny car purchases. It has to make people forget about the Gremlin, Pinto and all those other American crap cans that were as appealing as Bud Light Lime.
To do that, the best way such a car can succeed is by tugging at the heart strings with styling, personality and perceived quality. (Giant sunroofs could also do the trick, because people just love those things). Just look at the Mini or the Fiat 500. Heck, even the Fit's fun to drive nature has been a leading reason for its success. The Fiesta may not have the retro thing going for it or Honda's age-old small-car reputation, but it's got style and personality. Also, let's not forget that American badge. People want to buy from the home team, even if the Fiesta was designed in Europe, built in Mexico and its nombre es espanol. I guarantee you if the Fiesta was out during this Cash for Clunkers period, it would be easily outselling the Fit … not to mention turkeys like the Focus, Caliber and Cobalt. Well, I could only hope.
Sadlier:
Well, shoot, that's an interesting point. The Fiesta isn't nearly as practical as a Fit, but it's certainly a more capable hauler than the compact sedans that budget-minded Americans have long preferred to hatchbacks. It's also just a nicer car all-around than most of those dopey sedans. Other than the rear legroom issue, I can't think of a single reason I'd tell someone to buy a Civic or Corolla instead of a Fiesta. (For that matter, I can't think of a single reason I'd tell someone to buy a Corolla, period.) You're right, that's the way hatchbacks need to stage their comeback: by being appealing and entertaining cars that just happen to have a more useful cargo bay. From that perspective, the Fiesta's fabulous.
Also, the more desirable little hatches we have running around, the less often people will get suckered into buying Calibers. Forget my Face Off duties; I'm on your side here. Viva la Fiesta!
So aside from both people ultimately choosing the Fiesta, who wins?
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