Battle Of The Compacts: 2009 Ford Fiesta Titanium vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport

Subcompact Is No Longer a Four-Letter Word

Proponents of the subcompact car will tell you that its low purchase price and handy dimensions deliver a combination that can't be matched for efficiency and practicality. Its detractors turn up their noses because they don't want to drive a slow, cramped tin box.

Taking up the ground between these camps are two modern examples of the subcompact car that demonstrate that driving enjoyment and frugality don't have to be mutually exclusive: the 2009 Honda Fit and 2009 Ford Fiesta. The former is one of the best small cars you can buy. So is the latter, with one crucial caveat for those of us here in the land of baseball and apple pie — you can't yet buy one here.

A New Challenger Faces the Best of the Establishment
The 2009 Ford Fiesta serves as Ford's entry in the so-called B-segment, positioned just below the Focus in terms of size and price. Though a sales darling in Europe, the Fiesta has been absent in the subcompact-averse U.S. market. Then the world went to hell, and Ford reconsidered.

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800over - 9/21/2009 12:08:38 PM

+12 Boost

You're right. It's junk. Reliable, fuel efficient, high resale and it'll last longer than anything you build...but yep its a P.O.S.

inspirion7 - 9/21/2009 12:43:41 PM

+6 Boost

I at first didn't like the Fit for its size and it toyish looks. After a number of years and helping friends and clients purchase vehicles, I've come to admire the Fit for what it is, a great econo car. I felt it was too small for me, but it has good space inside. The market for this type of car isn't going anywhere by all means it will expand. The Fit was the spear that made this size vehicle popular. I love the Fiesta and can't wait to test it out once available.

_43LE - 9/21/2009 10:09:24 AM

-1 Boost

I would buy the Fiesta over the Fit, just based on looks alone. Unfortunately, for the Fit, it seems that the Fiesta also drives better too.

inspirion7 - 9/21/2009 5:38:47 PM

+2 Boost

Uh, news flash Badgewhore, Ford never received money from the government.

inspirion7 - 9/22/2009 1:02:39 PM

+1 Boost

Technically, Ford never borrowed from the billions given to the bailout. A number of car companies receive money for that a number of reasons if you want to go that route, but Ford never received money again for a bailout like badgewhore stated that was his point.

inspirion7 - 9/21/2009 5:43:27 PM

-3 Boost

Do know what you are talking about? So as other brands work their way up, Toyota is on its way down. Fitting so all is well. How old are you?

inspirion7 - 9/21/2009 5:48:42 PM

0 Boost

Ford experiences the success Honda wish it could have in Europe. True, stateside that hasn't been the case, but it is what it is. At lease they are making a strong comeback, not getting pimped by the government, and not needing to kiss Japan ass for anything. It all good. Patience.

inspirion7 - 9/21/2009 5:57:18 PM

0 Boost

Ford of Europe sets 10-year market share record

COLOGNE, Germany – Ford of Europe set a new sales record in this century in July. The No.2 best-selling new vehicle brand in Europe increased its market share for the seventh consecutive month, by 0.6 percentage points to 9.0 per cent, resulting in the company's highest share in a July and July year-to-date since 1999.

For the second month in a row in 2009, Ford increased its sales volume compared to the same month a year ago. In total, Ford sold 125,200 new vehicles in its 19 main European markets in July, up by 6,000 units or 5.0 per cent. This sales success was driven by strong customer demand for the latest Ford products across the line-up, including the Fiesta, new Ka, and best-selling Focus. Ford's 5.0 per cent volume increase contrasts to a 1.5 per cent industry decline in the same month.

"As we are moving into the second half of the year, we are encouraged to see Ford at a ten year high market share for July and, as a result of this, firmly established as Europe's second best-selling new vehicle brand in Europe,"

PPower - 9/21/2009 7:56:02 PM

+2 Boost

There seems to have be a concerted effort to try to speak favorably of domestic brand cars as they are coming out ever since the Aura and Malibu so as to not dissuade potential buyers away from "American" cars as they have traditionally done before. We'll see if the comparison results are the same a year after it has been for sale here.

inspirion7 - 9/22/2009 1:04:39 PM

+1 Boost

Ford (Fiesta) is American like Honda (Fit) is Japanese.

truckman - 9/22/2009 5:37:39 AM

+1 Boost

The Fit should come with the more powerful/efficient civic engine, and I hope that it now has a 5 star crash results for the rear passengers, the ford? I am not a huge fan of this one, I could be swayed is it was safer than Honda, the recalls? We'll see.

tango - 9/22/2009 10:51:32 AM

+2 Boost

Cars have really come a long way. Back in 1989 the Toyota Camry's 2.0L 16v I4 had 118hp. Now the 1.6L 16v I4 in the Ford Fiesta has 118hp. Who says there isn't progress? In a little while I am betting a 1.2L 16v I4 will have this output too. I wish Ford all the best with it, of course. Let's just hope they price it right, because the current tred at Ford is really to ask way too much for good, but not particularly stellar cars.