Honda Fit v. Hyundai Accent

snakeweasel · May 2006

But it's not terribly practical, to be sure

Yep try taking a bunch of people and the luggage to the airport in a Boxter.

I looked and the best value for the dollar right now seems to be the Accord VP. It has all the stuff the Hyundai has, but at $16K($16,250 will the end of the month) - it's a stunning deal.

I wouldn't say that, $16K is way under invoice for the Accord. I would say that you are going to pay close to $18K for it. A fully loaded Elantra can be had for close to $15K and an Accent for even less.

plekto · May 2006

http://www.carsdirect.com/build/style?make=HO&modelid=108&zipcode=91020&trim_gro- ups=sedan4door2.4l,

Click on the link. That's Los Angeles, CA.
$15,962. Honda is running a $750 rebate until the end of may, and these sell for a couple of hundred over invoice, so it really IS a $16K Accord. Superb deal.

That also includes delivery.

Denver, CO.
http://www.carsdirect.com/build/style?make=HO&modelid=108&zipcode=80202&trim_gro- ups=sedan4door2.4l,
$16,362 (delivery is a bit more)

Atlanta, GA.
http://www.carsdirect.com/build/style?make=HO&modelid=108&zipcode=30318&trim_gro- ups=sedan4door2.4l,
$15,672(different rebates out east, so it seems)

I repeated this all over the country - it's consistently around $16,000 now, for most of the U.S.

backy · May 2006

Let's all chant:
Fit vs. Accent
Fit vs. Accent
Fit vs. Accent
...

snakeweasel · May 2006

Fit vs. Accent
Fit vs. Accent
Fit vs. Accent

plekto · May 2006

Well, I was merely pointing out that there are a couple of good alternatives to the small 15K overpriced econobox segment out there. That Aren't year-end GM fire-sale models, either.

I'd much rather get the Accord VP, though, than a Fit Sport. Really a no-brainer if you drive them both. The Fit handles better, but it's not as smooth and refined on the highway. It ... it needs an EX luxury package ASAP with all the little things fixed.

The Hyundais are nice, I have to admit, but their engines and gearboxes aren't as good as even what GM and Ford make(neither are Subaru and a half dozen others), so it kind of left a flat taste in my mouth. Felt like a Buick, in fact - great interior, and stodgy, old engine/drivetrain. Like a fine car, but so "last decade". Now, that's not to say Hyundais aren't good values for what they are, but they aren't a Honda Accord or Pontiac(Toyota) Vibe - which is the other killer deal after rebates.

Now the Vibe - it truly is a Fit killer. After rebates(just wait - GM will offer them again in a month or two) - it drops to Fit Sport range, and it's well, a better car. More everything and only a bit bigger. Plus, all the GM goodies and gadgets. Not bad for a stripped-down economy car. $18K(decently optioned out with ABS, side aribags, etc) now - $16K when the 2007s come out

hungarian83 · May 2006

"The Hyundais are nice, I have to admit, but their engines and gearboxes aren't as good as even what GM and Ford make"

I have not driven manual transmission Hyundais, but the engine/automatic transmission I have driven on a few Fords are some of the most pathetic attempts at a drivetrain I have seen.

Besides size (something you seem to be big on -- no pun intended), what advantages does the Vibe have over a Fit. Maybe list them on the Fit vs. Matrix discussion being that this is the "Fit vs. Accent! Fit vs. Accent!" discussion.

plekto · May 2006

let's head over there, then...

accentuate · August 2006

I did not get a chance to test drive the Fit as they were all sold.

I did however test drive a stripped GS with a 5 speed and it felt very smooth and shifted just fine. I really enjoyed it.

I did however end up buying an Accent SE 4 speed auto. I had to go with the auto due to the lack of a 5 speed and I did not want to wait.

I am very happy with my Accent SE 3 door hatch and as far as I am concerned the fit and finish is all there. As far as the FIT goes...it looks like a mini-minivan. It looks too tall, too bad porportioned. I didn't get to check the interior but I really love the way my Accent is layed out. The only thing I complain about is the fact that I have to reach quite a bit to grab the seat belt. Other then that I love it. Highly reccomend looking at one.

I will try and test drive the Honda FIT the next time I go to my Hyundai Dealer as they have a Honda section right next door.

backy · August 2006

Congrats on the SE! I can't even find an SE to test-drive. I did drive the GS stick and liked it, but I need ABS and would like a little crisper handling, which the SE has.

The nearest dealer to me said they got a few SEs in but they sold immediately, and they don't expect to get any more in until January. They had a couple of GSes and several GLSes. The GLS is an option too, but it's close to the price of the SE and the SE has the sport suspension and much nicer wheels, and little touches like leather wheel/shifter.

norahhunt · September 2006

You guys have to check out this sweet test drive that Automobile mag did... wow. Anyone up for kicking up some dirt? And if you listen carefully at the end, they say it's BETTER than the Honda Fit!

http://www.automobilemag.com/multimedia/video/0609_2006_hyundai_accent_se_3_door- /

backy · September 2006

"More fun than a Honda Fit" actually.

What's interesting is that they drove and reported on a car that doesn't exist.

snakeweasel · September 2006

Which car doesn't exist?

backy · September 2006

A 2006 Accent SE.

snakeweasel · September 2006

Simple typo, I wouldn't get to upset over it.

backy · September 2006

Who is upset? I think it's kind of humorous though.

thegraduate · September 2006

Would it be possible to combine the discussions into a "SubCompact Comparison Thread" or "Value Vehicles for $15k" much as we have in the "Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread?"

It seems that people could compare them all if they wanted to much easier in there, and there are obviously a plethora of choices out there for $15k, which deserve to be discussed at length, if possible, altogether.

Just a thought for those who aren't happy when other vehicles are mentioned.

backy · September 2006

We do have Low End Sedans (under $16k) and Economy Sedans ($16k-20k) discussions. Would those work for what you have in mind?

thegraduate · September 2006

Oh, I had seen the $16-20k discussion, but didn't know about the under $16k. Thanks!

gaypenguin · September 2006

Having test driven the new Accent SE, I'd like to respond to the comments about its manual shifting. I think it's excellent - very smooth and precise and comfortable. I loved my 2000 Focus and thought it's shifting was fine and that there's not much difference in shifting - wrong! I don't want shifting that is hard or fights back. I think the Accent is fun to drive and after another test drive, I will likely buy one. Great equipment, surprising quality, excellent value. I can't comment on the Fit's shifting. Dealers can't keep them here long enough to test drive one! And they are marking up the price $500-1000, and I won't play that game.

backy · September 2006

That is good to hear. I thought the stick Accent GLS I drove had a fine shifter. Not rifle-bolt precise, but smooth and with easy clutch engagement. The manual Fit I drove was notchy--not very fun to row through the gears.

The Accent SE is about as hard to get in my area as the Fit. My nearest dealer had a couple of SEs, sold them right away, and says they won't get any more until January. The GS hatch was pleasant to drive, but I'd like to check out the sport suspension on the SE.

Also, I saw a test video on the SE from Automobile Magazine (Web) that mentioned an aftermarket short-throw shifter. I know about such a shifter for the Elantra that improves shift feel considerably--like the Accent, the Elantra's shifter is pretty "tall". Have you heard anything about this? The short-throw shifter for the Elantra is pretty cheap, about $120.

backy · September 2006

OK, I found the answer to my question. Hyundai is making a B&M sport shifter available as a dealer-installed option on the 2007 Accent hatchback, along with many other accessories such as a cold air intake and strut tower brace. I expect this was the shifter mentioned in the Automobile Magazine video clip (the cold air intake and strut tower brace were mentioned also), but I'm not certain.

I wonder if these parts would work on the Accent sedan also, since it has the same powertrain as the Accent hatch? You could build your own "Accent SE" sedan with the sport shifter, strut tower brace, cold air intake, 16" alloys from the SE, and maybe even the stiffer springs from the SE. Actually I wouldn't be surprised to see Hyundai offer an SE version of the sedan in the near future. I think that would be a fun little car, and very good looking with the 16" alloys.

http://www.hyundainews.com/presskit2007/supportfiles/Accent3-doorrelease.doc

eldaino · September 2006

I am clearly the only honda fan left reading this pathetic thread because everyone else decided that instead of talking about how much better their fit was, they decided to go and drive it.

Someone mentioned that the fit doesn't come with anything standard.

You are stupid. Maybe you have always been this way, but you certainly have no problems slapping your silly opinions around. Oh and the fit does have an availabe leather wrapped steering wheel, and it comes standard on the sport. I don't know why you keep making comparisons to the base fit, when the accent you keep talking up does not seem to be the base model...as far as their warranty goes i think honda does stand behind thier cars. They know they last and so does everyone else! Even hyundai owners. You all know your cars need that 100,000 mile warranty. It's just the bragging rights that you want on top of it. My grandfather drives a hyundai santa fe and has to take it back to the dealer numerous times, and for different problems. Even he has admitted that without the warranty, he would have been screwed. And since i know that this is going to be counteracted by all this apparent: "my honda shakes and makes noise" and a plethora of honda horror stories, all i have to say is this: altough every car manufacturer will have issues, it has been proven that honda is one that has had the least. You simply cannont say the same for hyundai. Sure you may have all these pleased 'never had a problem with mine' hyundai owners on this forum, but the fact of the matter is that out of all the people who exist in this world who own hyundai's or any korean car for that matter, only a miniscule fraction of them are represented on this forum. Go and tell these stories to the thousands of pleased honda owners who have never had a problem with thier vehicle depsite not having a million mile warranty. It's ok...the big h doesn't need it. Don't waste your time on hyundai's reliabilty by simply stating that 'it hasn't failed me yet' and then try to put into question honda's reliabilty when they hold legendary status.

Oh and that video was a joke. It almost looks like a bunch of people at hyundai said "hey lets make a video after putting aftermarket parts into an accent and then say it's better than a fit, just so that hyundai fans can say that it was said." Oh bs. Need i remind you that all these parts are aftermarket and are not included on the base accent model? So what the heck kind of comparison is that? Good grief of all the cars to tune and you want to choose a hyundai accent? Gimme a break! Have you even seen what is possible with a fit? Or any small honda compact for that matter? You guys are treading into dangerous territory there. But then again i am on a thread where people think its ok to say a mazda 3 is reminscent of a buick and that an accent compares even decently to a fit. Has anyone even read any comparisons between the two on edmunds or car and driver? Because everyone here seems to get pretty pissed off when someone disses the accent without having driven it. Ok then pay heed to someone who spent some time with both cars and scrutinized them! The clear winner has been paraded around all over the place on these websites and it just seems everyone pro hyundai cant except it. Ok fine personal problem.

Now there is the look of the two cars. While style and good looks is completely and totally subjective, i don't think the hyundai looks bad, but i personally think it looks plain. I like the fit's appearance much better. And for those of you commenting on how 'nice' the interior of the accent is, have you ever seen or sat in a fit? I have sat in both of them and you simply cannot deny that the fit feels quite a bit more upscale, has controls that are both more interesting in design and functionality and feel better to the touch. I understand someone who enjoys plush surfaces but oh my goodness the accents interior compared to the fit's is horribly drab! It's not terrible, no, but when you compare the two you would have to be completely clueless as to which was nicer. Perhaps, and i say this with great reluctance, perhaps the build quality might in some small way be just as good, but hyundai's choice of materials is practically sub par compared to hondas. Yes i have sat in both cars.
Goodnight.

backy · September 2006

Hope you feel better now, after calling people who have a different opinion "stupid", "silly", and "clueless". So much anger in that post. It must really hurt when a respected automobile magazine calls another small car more fun to drive than the Fit. Oh, I forgot... that video was a joke, done by "a bunch of people at Hyundai", not by the people at Automobile Magazine.

I did read C/D's review of the Accent. It was the pedestrian GLS sedan, all stock parts, not the better-handling SE hatch. But C/D said that readers should "give it a whirl" if they haven't sampled it yet. They must really hate it to recommend to their readers that they go check it out. The only two negatives they noted were a rubbery shifter (easily fixed with the B&M short-throw unit) and soft springs and struts, which are much stiffer in the SE.

Have you read the Fit discussions in Town Hall, where people go on and on about the features missing from the Fit that they would dearly love to have? Features like height-adjustable driver's seat, dead pedal, driver's center arm rest, a sunroof option, bodyside moldings, decent carpeting? All of which are on the Accent?

Have you just sat in an Accent or have you driven one? Have you driven the SE hatch, which has the sport steering and suspension, and 16" alloys? What did you think of its ride and handling compared to the Fit? How about driver's seat comfort? Did you like the dual-knob height adjuster on the Accent? That is one of my favorite features of the car. How did you find the NVH? C/D found the Accent quieter than the Fit, even quieter than the Accord EX V6. I really like the versatility and handling of the Fit, but appreciate many things about the Accent. If the SE handles as well as the Automobile Magazine people say it does, I could live without the magic seats on the Fit in favor of the better driving position and smooth/quiet ride of the Accent.

What do you think? Are you capable of having a civilized discussion about these two cars? If not... good night!

eldaino · September 2006

As far as a driving position goes, that again is subjective and to each his own. I found the fit much more comfortable to the accent. I will admit that i did not drive the accent, i was just reffering to interior material quality. To be honest with you if the accent hatch does handle better than the fit, ok whatever. Just always know that hyundai had to add extra to it like suspension modification and tires and what not to get it that way. i wont have to do anything to my fit to get it to handle well. And if i wanted to, i can get my little fit pushing more than 200hp with aftermarket parts and any accent,(actually probably any hyundai) could observe my gracious little fits but as it passes it effortlessly on the highway, so don't talk to me about hyundai's compact sport car prowess. Do i listen to peoples complaints about their cars? Umm...no not really. I'll tell you why. Although there are quirks that eventually surface about every vehicle, if such basic things became such an issue to these fit owners, why did they not take the time to really think about that before buying that particular car? I can't stand a lot of the what do you wish your car had' threads. They don't concern me. The only thing i would like for the fit would be an armrest and that is because honda has spoiled me by offering every other vehicle with one. But i'm used to it just fine! And honda will be offering one soon as an option and you could very easily go aftermarket.
And who the hell said that the fit had bad carpeting? Its completely fine! Honda includes basic floor mats with their cars and then if you want nicer ones you can get them as an option. (seems like the fit is full of these option things despite what everyone here says.) And most of the sports i've seen already come with it.

Oh and the fit is still nicer on the inside hands down. And it doesn't need after market to make it handle good. And it is a quiet car. I certainly don't think that just because the accent is quieter that that holds a gargantuan amount of weight with everyone. So it's quiter and has more seat adjustments for the driver. Are we targeting honda's ergonomics now? Most have which set the standard? The fit has everything where i need it just fine and even without the adjustable seat, it is a perfect seating position. Subjective, i know, but if opinions are what this is about then there is mine.

Was that civilized enough for you? I didn't realize i had gotten to you so... :P

eldaino · September 2006

oh and if the se does handle as well as automobile magazine says it does with all those suspension tweaks, you can kiss your quite and supple ride goodbye. Thank you!!

backy · September 2006

Gotten to me? No. I just don't see the need to insult people in these discussions. All that does is take you down, not the people you are targeting.

And who the hell said that the fit had bad carpeting?

So I guess you haven't read the Fit discussions here. Go take a look. Try searching on "carpet". Lots of posts about the thin and poor-quality carpeting. Sure, you can cover most of it up with floormats. But it's just another sign of Honda's cost cutting in the Fit--along with the hard plastic surfaces and lack of features that are de rigeur on cars these days like a temperature gauge, lockable fuel filler door, dead pedal, and armrest for the driver.

As for the ride quality of the SE with the stiffer suspension, we'll have to see about that. I was encouraged by test drive reports in the Accent discussion about good ride qualilty in the SE. If I find it too harsh, then the GLS would be the way to go.

That's cool that you can get the Fit up to 200 hp. I have no need for that kind of speed. I would buy a car like the Fit or Accent for its economy, not for racing. The car will go to my daughter someday. No way I'd turn a 200 hp pocket rocket over to her.

plekto · September 2006

The problems with the Fit stem from the fact that we're getting the JAPAN model in the U.S.

They switched the dash to the U.S. side, but the rest of the car remains unchanged. It's a right-hand drive car, which is why the filler doesn't lock, there's no dead-pedal(being that that's the passenger side and the gas tank is under the passenger side as well(kills seat height adjuster as an option), the wpier is reversed in the rear, and little things like the split in the seats is reversed and of course, the fact that the driver has the only vanity mirror. (heh)

The next generation model in a year or two will solve all of this - and we'll likely get nice thick carpet as well.

eldaino · September 2006

Ok so why bother puttin an intake in it? Why make it sporty at all? There is a reason why the fit is at that price level but to say that honda uses hard plastics when your defending a hyundai is ridiculous. Hyundai is like the messiah of hard plastics. And plekto is right, we do have the japanese fit here. And to me that is actually kinda cool. The carpet issues? i read them. No biggie. Get the floormats and i'm good to go and i strongly think that honda would not have cut such a big corner; people like being nitpicky. Like all of your complaints and agruments against the fit have been. Dead pedal is no biggie either and i drive a lot. My 06 ex civic has 22000 miles on it and i purchased it in november of 05. A lockable fuel filler door? That means jack to me. and if your are willing to keep going on all these insignificant little things to justify that the fit is inferior to the hyundai. Go ahead. It makes me laugh.

As far as 200 hp in a fit goes, that is quite a bit of engineering. TO build an engine that can do that is incredible. Hyundai even remotely acknowledging this by putting an intake on their little accent is hilarious. I was just talking about what is possible with a fit. not the sole reason why i like it though. But it does say a lot about honda's engineering.

hungarian83 · September 2006

What?

I find it interesting that what some people do regarding Hyundai, you are doing to Honda (but it's perfectly fine, since you are doing it). :sick:

My family (including extended) and I have had countless Hondas...Accords and Civics mostly, but plenty of others as well. I love the cars they make, but I am not afraid to make a constructive criticism here or there.
Carpet is perfectly fine in the Fit? Please, it's like a plastic-felt material. I easily cut it right apart with a not-so-sharp knife when installing my floor mats. After a few years my heel would have worn right through it.

Floor mats are absolutely not standard on the Fit. There is no "basic floor mat" in the Fit, unless you are counting that thin sheet of black plastic under the pedals in the driver's foot well. You have to buy the carpet floor mats or all-weather rubber floor mats separately...they are not standard.

What frustrates most people about the items lacking in the Fit is that they are available in other markets and would have been very easy for Honda to just bring over to the NA-market. I personally would like things like the turn signals on the side mirrors and door guards. Others want height-adjustable seats and armrests. The only thing that I see in demand on the Fit boards, but is universally non-existant in the Fit/Jazz is a dead pedal.

I love my Fit, but I am not afraid to point out a few faults that it has. Of course, I also prefer a firm ride, so the Fit is great. I haven't driven the new Accent yet, but as far as looks go, I like it. I am not going to assume people will take me seriously by saying one car is more comfortable than the other without test driving both!

eldaino · September 2006

test driving both doesn't seem to hold any value with anyone here since all the reviews ever posted (minus that silly video of the accent spinning all over the place.), say that the fit is better and just as comfy. I know comfort is personal preference, and i didn't say the accent was UNcomfortable, just not as much as i thought the fit was. My civic has it's shortcomings too but nothing is perfect and even the issues i do have with it are not enough to make me want to go on and on about what i wish it had. Thats why i got the civc. It had what i wanted. and now that the fit is here, it's got what i want and need to. To keep pursing why people like thier fit's better than hyundai's accent despite what the fit is apparently lacking, says a lot about honda.

backy · September 2006

What I don't understand is how you can say the Fit is more comfortable than the Accent when you haven't even driven the Accent. If you did, you might find out what I and others (like C/D) have found out: the Accent has a smooth and comfortable ride for a small car, is very quiet at idle and cruise (quiestest of the seven small cars C/D tested recently), has a smooth, easy clutch that is a pleasure to use, smooth (if somewhat rubbery) shifter (not like the notchy shifter of the Fit), exceptionally comfortable driver's seat, comfy rear seating with center armrest, and lots of little amenities to make driving and riding more comfortable such as lighted vanity mirrors (two!), door storage pockets with cupholders front and rear, and other things already mentioned so I won't belabor them. No one will buy an Accent just because it has one little feature like lighted vanity mirrors or folding armrests front and rear or a locking fuel filler door or heated mirrors, but add all of them up and they add up to a little car that is comfortable. At least that is my opinion after taking three drives in various Accents.

Hyundai's slogan used to be "Driving is Believing." There is a lot of truth to that. The current slogan is "Rethink Everything." Also good advice--these new Hyundai designs like the Accent aren't the Hyundais of yore, that paled in comparison to Hondas. BTW, I've owned two Civics. Really nice cars. And I do really like the Fit (would like it a lot better if it had a seat-height adjuster!). But they don't keep me from looking for goodness in other cars.

hungarian83 · September 2006

Plekto, I remember explaining this to you already.

The worldwide LHD and RHD models have absolutely no differences in design other than the dashboard. Its not like Honda made the LHD version for Europe (other than UK and Ireland) by making a mirror image of the car, but just gave the US a switched-dashboard version of the Japanese car.

True, the direction of the window wiper in the back is a quirk from the fact that it was originally designed for the RHD Japanese market, but thats about it.

The fuel tank is not only under the passenger seat, it is under both seats. European models that have the same LHD format as the US have seat-height adjusters...and the fuel tank in relation to the front seats is identical between the US and Europe. There is no reason the NA-market models couldnt have height-adjusters. All Fit/Jazzes around the world (LHD or RHD) have the fuel filler door on the left side of the car under the rear windowand they all lock. The reason the NA models dont is that they moved the filler door higher up on the car and decided to eliminate the lock. Why, I dont know, but the filler door is several inches farther up.

Japan doesn't have a dead pedal either.

As for the vanity mirror, its another quirk, but I cant imagine its because we are sitting in the Japanese passengers seat. If Honda could give North American unique features like larger bumpers, a unique automatic transmission, and electronic throttle, they could have definitely stuck the mirror on the other visor...or why not both!

prosource1 · September 2006

I was interested in the Hyundai Accent Sedan and 3-door SE until I priced the Mazda 3i and the ACCENT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE? The Accent doesn't have tilt-telescopic steering, the 148 hp engine that still gets 28-36mpg vs. the Accents 110 hp with 32-38mpg, the 3i's larger cabin, standard audio controls on steering wheel, and the 3's great suspension. I realize the 3i doesn't have the power package and air but even with that package added, the Accent is too expensive in comparison to the 3i. Hyundai is pricing themselves too high and you will see evidence of this as they attempt to sell these cars to a far more discriminating public who still does not perceive the Hyundai Accent with the Mazda 3. Noone should argue the Elantra either because the 07 Elantra is not even in the game yet and the old Elantra doesn't compete due to a dated/aging platform and appearance. I've decided to wait and buy a Civic Si Sedan in November. In this car I am basically getting a baby TSX. I'll take this any day over any of these other vehicles.

snakeweasel · September 2006

I was interested in the Hyundai Accent Sedan and 3-door SE until I priced the Mazda 3i and the ACCENT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE?

Two questions: First is what are you smoking? Second is can I have some?

I do believe that a fully loaded Accent with automatic transmission stickers for about $30 more than the base Mazda 3i with a manual and no options. Make them similarly equipted and the Mazda 3i is a few thousand more.

backy · September 2006

Well, the Mazda3i isn't exactly a Fit, is it?

And you know what? A stripped Yaris hatchback costs a lot less than either an Accent SE or a Mazda3i, or a Fit for that matter! We should all go out and buy a stripped Yaris!

The point is, let's compare apples to apples here. A Mazda3i, equipped as close as possible to an Accent SE with no options (meaning a 3i Touring with the safety package, fog lamps, and lip spoiler) comes to $17,735. The Accent SE lists for $14,495. Quite a difference in my (pocket)book. You do get a little more room in the 3i and more power plus a couple extra features (although the SE has some features over the 3i also). And don't forget that the SE has a sport-tuned suspension and steering. But the 3i is a class above the Accent in size--and price.

That being said, I really like the 3i Touring and it's high on my "consider list". But assuming I like how the SE drives, I'd need some financial incentives to justify its purchase over the 3i Touring.

I won't even get into the Elantra, which is Hyundai's competitor to the Mazda3, because this isn't an Elantra vs. Mazda3 discussion.

eldaino · September 2006

what I don't understand is why you keep thinking that i said the accent was UNcomfortable. Even though i didn't drive it, when i sat down in it, i didnt feel the same way when i sat in the fit. A connection ,if you will, was felt when i sat in the fit. Was the hyundai uncomfortable? No!! BUt it wasnt my cup of tea. I never argued it was uncomfortable, just not up to par with what my idea of materials in this price range should feel like: and honda exceeded even that. This thread is getting sillier by the minute: now we are comparing an se accent to a mazda 3? Even if it is the i, that is totally apples to oranges. Yeah it's a big class above and even with it's "sport tuned" suspension, the 3 would out-handle it anyday. Same for the new civic. Oh and what is your definition of "sport steering"? That sounds kinda interesting...

prosource1 · September 2006

' First is what are you smoking?'

Don't insult my comments, pinhead.

prosource1 · September 2006

Where is the host who is supposed to clamp down on inappropriate comments?

eldaino · September 2006

apparently no one. Look what this thread is even about.

snakeweasel · September 2006

Prosource wrote:
Don't insult my comments, pinhead.

Zippy replies:
Well when something costs less and you say it costs more something must be wrong.

So I see that instead of addressing what I wrote about the costs of the cars you called me a pinhead. Does that mean you agree that you were wrong saying the Accent costs more?

snakeweasel · September 2006

Where is the host who is supposed to clamp down on inappropriate comments?

You mean like calling people pinhead?

prosource1 · September 2006

And initiating it by asking me what I was smoking.

snakeweasel · September 2006

well first off you really should complain about "inappropriate" posts just after you made one just as "inappropriate".

Secondly since you say a $16,000 car costs more than a $18,000 something must be clouding your judgement.

Finally why don't we keep to the topic at hand and explain how a car that actually costs less can cost more.

kagedude · September 2006

And who the hell said that the fit had bad carpeting? Its completely fine! Honda includes basic floor mats with their cars and then if you want nicer ones you can get them as an option. (seems like the fit is full of these option things despite what everyone here says.) And most of the sports i've seen already come with it.

I disagree. Coming from a Fit Sport owner, my Fit doesn't have carpeting. Its more like felt/insulation carpet. I don't really care as I use the all-weather mats.

Hey, at least my old Hyundai Accent and family's 2 Elantra never had issues like the A/C button on the Honda Fit breaking. Haha. I should be ^%$#@ but its a Honda so I'm giving it a pass. right?

backy · September 2006

what I don't understand is why you keep thinking that i said the accent was UNcomfortable.

I don't think that. What you said is that you think the Fit is more comfortable than the Accent. I was just wondering aloud (?) how you could determine relative comfort without driving both cars. But if by comfort you mean just the way the seats feel while sitting in the cars a short time and the interior materials quality, well, so be it, but IMO there is a lot more to comfort in a car than that.

I agree that comparing the 3i to the Accent is apples to oranges, and I said as much. That's not what this discussion is about. But I don't know that the 3i can out-handle the Accent SE until I drive the SE. I know the 3i handles pretty darn well.

"Sport steering" is how Hyundai describes the tweaked steering that they offer in the Accent hatchback--different steering than in the sedan. I'm not quite sure what the tweaks are though, but I do know the steering felt great--very precise--even in the strippo Accent GS hatch that I drove, which has 14" wheels.

plekto · September 2006

The worldwide LHD and RHD models have absolutely no differences in design other than the dashboard. Its not like Honda made the LHD version for Europe (other than UK and Ireland) by making a mirror image of the car, but just gave the US a switched-dashboard version of the Japanese car.

That may be true, but it's only because they use the same right-hand drive template for every Fit.

- The fuel tank is more under the driver's seat thant the passenger seat in the U.S. - but that's the opposite seat in Japan.
- The foot areas for the passenger side are larger than the drier's side. Oh - wait - that's because in Japan, the driver gets the bigger foot area. There's plenty of space on that side to rest your feet against the floor right next to the pedals(and they aren't scrunched together, either)
- The split in the seat - it's supposed to be larger on the passenger side towards the curb/not behind the driver, yet it's onthe wrong side/unchanged for the U.S.
- The center rear seatbelt fastens on the wrong side.
- The rear window wiper is reversed.
- The vanity mirror, which we only get one of, is reversed. Of course, in Japan and the U.K., that's the passenger side, so all's well and good.

It's tons of small things that detract from it. We really need a left-hand drive version of it that's purposely built as such. Sunroof and leather would be nice as well, especially since you can get those in China, of all places.

It feels rough and very first generation, and frankly, not really "Honda". At least the version we get in the U.S., that is.

hungarian83 · September 2006

It sounded like you were referring to the US/Canada getting just a switched-dashboard while other LHD countries got a special version that was properly done.
What I meant is that from a design perspective it is the same car throughout the world whether LHD or RHD. Anyway, unlike certain models, the Fit was never intended to be a Japan-only car. It began sales in Europe (almost entirely LHD) just a few months after Japan.

I actually think it feels quite "Honda". All of these eccentricities you have mentioned can be gotten used to very easily, if one even notices them at all. Apart from some weird things like no passenger side mirror visor (rarely affects me :P ) and no height-adjuster, I find the general ergonomics of the car to be excellent and very Honda-like.

Fuel tank: I checked the service manual for a nice, in-depth image of the tank. It's fairly symmetrical, but it looks like there is a small pipe running under the left-front seat. That's about it.
However, that is no reason to not give the US a seat-height adjuster. I have been in the height-adjuster equipped LHD European model Jazz and the difference in the shape of the floor (and the fuel tank itself) between the left and right seats is identical to the US model. American Honda just left out the seat adjuster...the fuel tank has nothing to do with its absence.

Foot areas: The shape of the foot well is entirely dependent on the location of the wheel well in the Fit and from a seating position the intrusion of the fuel tank is the same on both sides...I just sat in both sides of my car and the fuel tank does not affect your feet placement for driving. One big thing though is that the Japanese consumer will be resting their left foot against the console where there is more room than against the wheel well like a LHD customer.
I just spent a minute looking at a picture of the interior of the Japanese Fit. I don't see any size difference between the driver and passenger side. Do you have any measurements to back this up?

Split in rear seat: We have a 2002 Civic coupé. Unlike the Fit, the primary market for the Civic coupé is the US. The 2-door Civic isn't even sold in a RHD country like Japan or the UK. It was built in the US, and I'm sure the design was influenced quite a bit, if not entirely for the US market. The split in the rear seat is identical to that of the Fit. Large area on the left and small area on the right.

Center rear seatbelt on wrong side: Again, it's the same in our US Civic. Shoulder belt on the left and latch on the right. Same with the Fit. I have been in other Hondas with the exact same setup.

Rear window wiper: As I already pointed out in the last post, this is a design quirk for an RHD-designed car. It's just a matter of getting used to though since the cleaning path is still large enough to allow for sufficient visibility during a rainstorm.

Vanity mirror: That is just a stupid mistake done by someone at American Honda. It would have been mind-numbingly easy to just stick a mirror on the passenger side. Also, Honda's Japanese Fit page has a picture of a RHD driver's side (US passenger side) rear view mirror. They just left it out, simple as that...it's not an inherent LHD/RHD design flaw.

plekto · September 2006

One big thing though is that the Japanese consumer will be resting their left foot against the console where there is more room than against the wheel well like a LHD customer.
I just spent a minute looking at a picture of the interior of the Japanese Fit. I don't see any size difference between the driver and passenger side. Do you have any measurements to back this up?

I was referring to this. You don't need a dead-pedal on the right-hand models because there's plenty of space to put your left foot on the floor. The wheel-well forces you to put it halfway down... um.. nowhere(so you need something to rest it aginst)

hungarian83 · September 2006

It seems like there is some sort of indentation on the LHD models to rest one's foot. What I mean is that if I rest my foot next to the clutch pedal, it's not like it just slips off the wheel well. Sure, I suppose it would be nice to have a proper dead pedal, but there is some sort of "semi-dead pedal" there.

If I am not mistaken, our 1st generation CR-V has a dead pedal, and that is essentially a RHD model that was switched to a LHD format. I think it is just a general lack of space in the Fit that prevents this from happening due to the intrusion of the wheel well.

eldaino · September 2006

Ok backy. For a lot of people, that first initial sit down in a car says a lot. To you it doesn't. Fine. Whatev. But if you want me to physically go and test drive an accent to prove to you that I dont think that it is comfortable to ME, thats fine. It's really silly, but if thats what it takes so be it. I just don't understand why its so hard for you to understand that some people may not hold hyundai in such a high regard...i've seen your other posts, any one who says otherwise seems to be in for a long discussion on why hyundai's are the best thing since sliced bread.

Don't get me started on the 3i's handling. Please. I wish some mazda guys or any other people familiar with the better handling cars in that segment (3, civic) could witness the weirdness of these comments. :sick:

Honda Fit v. Hyundai Accent

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