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Honda Fit v. Scion xB
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Comments
Now, if they really *would* make a proper Sport version...
What I was refering to was Honda actually equipping the Sport with a better engine/transmission or improved suspension...which is not the case.
I think part of the issue is that the person who posted this tested the two different transmissions and assumed the differences were related to the car. Not surprising he liked the Sport better. It had the manual!
The list of differences between the two adds up to a major win for the Fit.
As the editor of Edmunds.com has stated in his blog, the 2008 Scion XB is not comparable to the earlier Scion XB models. It may have the same name, but it's not a compact car. It's heavier, and so gets less gas mileage. If you compare it to small SUVs, which you should do, it's a great option. It's more like a small SUV. And it has the dependability of Toyota, and not only that, but it comes standard with all those earlier mentioned safety features. All that is great, if you want a small SUV!
However, we decided on a Fit Sport because it gets much better gas mileage, and it has very good safety features as well. It comes standard with ABS, front air bags, and side air bags. Not many entry level cars offer ABS and side air bags as standard (of note, look at all the USA made entry level cars, and look at how may offer ABS and side air bags standard; you won't find many; they'll be listed as options, and good luck finding them available at the end of the model year). So the difference was traction control, stability control, and tire pressure monitoring. Well, I decided that I could monitor the tire pressure myself, and for traction control and stability control, although they are very desirable, because the Fit is lighter than the Scion, I decided they weren't as necessary. Of course, I would like those safety features, but because the Fit is so light and nimble, I figured it'd drive well enough without them -- I mean, what more do you want for an economy car.
And that's the difference right there: the 2008 Scion XB, I think, is no longer an economy car, whereas the Fit is. The Fit costs less, as well. And if you get the Sport model, you get an alarm and alloy wheels included, which would cost you extra for the Scion, about $500 for the alarm and about $800 for the wheels, if my memory is correct. So, for the price, the Fit won.
And of last note: while the Scion drove much smoother than the Fit, it did have some blind spots due to the pillars in the back. So I decided over better visibility over a smoother ride. I'm sure the Scion would be a more comfortable drive over a cross country road trip, but the Fit, for everyday city driving, won out. Not to mention the variability of the Magic Seats, etc. It's a smaller, cheaper car, but in the end, it seemed like more car.
It depends on what you want. And as an aside, the 2007 Scion XB was not in the running because it received a poor rating on side impact crash tests, and I do not see a reason in 2007 why anybody should purchase a vehicle with so many options available that received a poor on such a test. Why risk it? The crash may never happen, but I'd rather not take a chance.
Hope this helps. Good luck making your choice!
I don't think you can really compare the xB to the Fit. The Scion xD is much closer to the Fit and I have driven all of these. We bought the Fit because my wife liked it best. Fuel economy is not all that great on a new xB and the xD is actually a bit better than the Fit. This forum isn't to compare the xD tho, so i won't. I found the xB to be large and my wife didn't drive it very far before she lost interest in it as it was too big. We like the Fit, but would like the Fit to have the engine that comes in the xD. A few more HP would be a big plus in the Fit. The Fit does extremely well in the snow with the stock tires. Normally in my area with unplowed roads snow tires are mandatory but the Fit just blasts through the snow. I don't know if that is a factor for you or not. Ultimately it comes down to what you need and like best. The xB has a ton more power over the Fit. The Fit gets far better mpg than the xB. Drive both, and get what *you* like.