The 2018 Honda Fit
The term 'city car' conjures visions of pintsized runabouts best suited for people who are more concerned about finding a parking space than they are back seat room or cargo space. The 2018 Honda Fit bucks that definition by providing an unexpectedly massive interior wrapped in appropriately diminutive packaging, seemingly to defy the laws of physics in the process.
The secret lies in the spell cast by Honda's 'Magic Seat' feature, a design trait that allows the rear seats to flip both up and down in a number of different configurations. Utility is further enhanced by a front passenger’s seat that drops flat should you want to haul something that's almost eight feet long.
In total, the Fit boasts a maximum of 52.7 cubic feet of cargo room, a figure that rivals larger SUVs while absolutely dwarfing its subcompact hatchback competitors.
Even if you don't have cause to haul a bicycle standing upright under the Honda Fit's tall roof, your passengers will be pleased with the adult-friendly accommodations that await them at all four outboard seating locations. You'll also benefit from the EPA’s combined fuel economy rating of 36 mpg, made possible by the Fit's 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and available continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Should you be willing to sacrifice a modest amount of efficiency for a more engaging driving experience, then ordering the Fit with its available 6-speed manual transmission makes best use of the 130 horsepower on offer, delivering a surprisingly fun commute. The Fit Sport adds some visual pizzazz to the equation, but don't look for any performance-enhancing extras, as it's purely a style package.
Sure, you can step up to the loaded EX-L trim, which introduces leather seating along with active safety gear such as a forward collision warning system, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the sweet spot in the Fit lineup is somewhere in the middle, where the Sport and the EX expertly balance features with price, with the bonus of adding the extra on-road security via the optional Honda Sensing package, if desired.
Starting at just over $17,000, the Honda Fit is an affordable alternative to anyone seeking oversized space with an undersized footprint, and when compared against the current crop of similarly-subcompact hatchbacks, it's also an eminently logical choice for our Best City Car of 2018.
You might disagree with our assessment, and if that’s true, the following alternatives received the most love during our voting process. After the Fit, of course. They’re listed in alphabetical order.
Hugely popular in Europe, the Ford Fiesta is known to be a practical car to own and an enjoyable car to drive. Certainly, the changes Ford is making to the 2018 Fiesta will allow the subcompact car to renew its appeal on the international stage.
The new model, equipped with more driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies, and boasting an architecture composed of more than half high-strength steel, is likely to dramatically improve the 2018 Accent’s crash protection.
This, in combination with a more linear power delivery, better gas mileage, improved driving dynamics, new seats, a nicer interior with more interior room, stylish design, and Hyundai’s class-leading warranty and roadside assistance programs, make it the perfect vehicle for people seeking basic transportation that will last for a long time.
You’re shopping for a Kia Rio because you want a good, cheap car that’s going to last. You’ve found one.
There aren’t many hatchbacks on the market that combine premium amenities and fun performance in a stylish little package. Yet, the 2018 Mini Hardtop manages to excel in this regard. Though it can get pricey when fully optioned, the Mini Hardtop undoubtedly presents an interesting option for those looking for something a little out of the ordinary.