Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Honda Fit v. Nissan Versa
Both are great hatchbacks - which do you prefer?
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
chris
might wanna check out this article if you haven't already:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/23/autos/carreviews/subcompacts.moneymag/index.htm
The real turn-off for me is the fact that the US Versa is constructed at a brand new plant in Mexico and with Nissan's past reliability issues I am wary.
Aguascalientes is not brand new, not even close to new. Nissan has been manufacturing in Mexico since 1966. Aguascalientes plant has in the past produced vehicles exported to Japan. Aguascalientes even manufactues the Renault Clio and Scenic. The facility producing the Versa has a history of producing above average quality vehicles.
Now, back to the regularly scheduled Fit topic.
mattschechter, "2007 Nissan Versa" #443, 1 Jul 2006 7:53 pm
Comfort:
Versa wins, hands down. Dead pedal is there, fully adjustable seat height is there. Steering wheel is tilt only, however, at 6'2" I was surprised that it was already in the right place.
Fit and Finish:
Versa wins, hands down. It had a much more luxurious air than the Fit. Felt a bit like the Rabbit, which I test drove last week.
Features:
Versa wins, hands down. Keyless entry, keyless ignition (awesome), all your basics like maplights, etc (you know, all the stuff glaringly absent on the Fit). And guess what? I can get CRUISE CONTROL without all the embarassing plastic wingy things. And a sunroof, if I want!
Driving:
Trans: I prefer the Versa, I think it's nifty.
Power: Pretty much the same, both have enough power for my purposes.
Handling: I prefer the Fit, here. The Versa's handling felt.. odd, squirelly, like it was too responsive, or something. Reminded me of a bicycle. Maybe I need some more time with it.
Ride quality: Versa wins, definitely. You don't feel like you are going to break the car and yourself when driving over bumps. Quiet and smooth.
Looks:
Guess what? Versa, hands down! I didn't expect that! The Versa in person looks great. The Fit would have won this category, but unfortunately I have to have cruise control, and so I'm having to compare the Versa to the Sport Fit, which I personally find ridiculous (No offense to those whose aesthetics prefer the addons).
Stereo:
Versa sounded much better. A fuller sound. Plenty of options there, too (speaker packages, satellite radio, etc).
So basically, I am in the market for a new vehicle. I was prepared to buy the Versa after one test drive, I was that sold on it. Oh, wait a minute... I left out one category...
Cargo/storage:
So, Versa is a hatchback. I will only buy a hatchback... I need the storage versatility. But guess what? The rear seats don't fold down ANYWHERE NEAR flat with the cargo floor, giving you a completely uneven floor, and making the extra space of a hatchback COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT! I mean seriously, what are you going to do, fold those things over and then perch your crap on top of the seats only to have your stuff fall right off? You might as well NEVER fold the seats down because then at least the seatbacks will keep the stuff in place.
ARRGGHHHHH.
I've been looking for a long time and the Versa was SO CLOSE. It will be easy for you guys too say that I am picky for letting this issue break the deal, but c'mon! That's the whole point of a hatchback, for me! I need the storage.
So, no dice on the Versa, for me. BUT if you aren't concerned with storage versatility as much as I am and are interested in the Versa, I say GO FOR IT because it is a hell of a car.
One factor you did not mention (which played a large role in my decision) was the quality/reliability issue. I've got to say from my experience that though Nissan is a good make, I would rate Honda as excellent. My Hondas have generally held up better as the years and miles wore on.
I would also be much more comfortable about buying a Japanese-made Fit than a Mexican-made Versa. Not to mention also that the Fit has been around a while and the Versa is new. The Versa may really turn out to be a great model and not have any major problems.
My Hondas also had much better resale value than my Nissans as well.
Just another criteria for potential buyers to consider.
Did you test drive them one after the other? To me that is the best way to compare because they are fresh in your memory. Hence why i love auto malls. You can walk from one car dealership to another.
The Versa has been around in other markets for a couple of years as the Tiida, so it's not a totally new design.
I've surprised myself in finding that my favorite part of the "magic" is TALL mode. I never gave it much thought, but I find myself with the rear backs and the bottoms up for TALL and that it holds a ton of the stuff you always seem to have when you come out of a store.
Besides the fact that I don't really like the current Sentra, it was the Japanese-made Honda versus the Mexican-made Nissan factor that steered me away from Nissan.
I too was persuaded by the Magic Seat and the utility and fun of the Fit.
I guess I am trying to say, I would have been confident buying a Nissan with respects to reliability. My family has had good luck with Nissans for many years.
Granted the FIT has those Magic seats, but how offen are you going to sit in the back seat and fold the front seat down and sit back there, also how offen are you going to have a Lama in your car...
Tony :shades:
By "tighter", I assume you mean more solid and better built? I haven't even seen a Versa in person yet, but hearing this makes me want to take a trip down to the Nissan dealer and check it out. I have to say the Fit (especially considering its segment and price) is exceptionally well put together and really quite solid. After 3000 miles there is not a single rattle or squeak on mine, and despite the rather liberal application of hard plastics, the interior does not feel cheap and is very well put together. A big thing I notice in cars is how the door sounds when shut with the window rolled down. In many cars I have been in, including other Hondas, there is usually a shaking or rattle as the door closes. In the Fit (or at least mine) the shutting door makes a single, solid noise.
"Granted the FIT has those Magic seats, but how offen are you going to sit in the back seat and fold the front seat down and sit back there"
I will admit that I have never used Refresh mode, but that is just one of the modes. Actual experience: Being able to take a 6-foot tall bookshelf (unassembled in a 7-foot long box), 8-foot tall patio umbrella (top was resting on the dashboard), a half trunk load of groceries, and a passenger is in my opinion quite an accomplishment for Long mode. On one outing I threw in my bicycle (front wheel removed), a cooler, box of firewood, and two folding chairs in Utility mode.
With the Versa, putting the rear seats down is like having two suitcases in the back.
Anyway, I'm glad you like your Versa and have fun with it.
That is not really accurate. Here is a quote from C/D for example:
If you're chiefly interested in commuting and errand hopping, this [Versa] is the one.
Meaning that if you use a small car the way a lot of people do, the Versa was the preferred car in C/D's comparo--which included the Fit.
Here is a comment from Edmunds' review (they haven't yet done a comparo of the Versa vs. Fit):
In this category of low-priced, basic transportation I'd probably pick the Versa over the competition solely because of the roomy interior.
As I recall, MT made similar comments but I don't have that issue in front of me.
What does this even mean? Are you saying the concept of "Fit and Finish" is a purely objective category, and people that prefer the Versa are somehow wrong or misguided? Those are mostly opinions and would be best stated as such.
Anyhow, I spent time in both and think that the superior interior lies in the Versa.
The Nissan has the second best weight-to-power ratio, but its gearing advantage over the four-speed Toyota made it the best performer at the track, reaching 60 mph in 9.7 seconds, over two seconds faster than the Fit (11.9) and 0.7 second faster than the Yaris.
But later in the article they did say that it was the "runaway sporty car of the three". This due to a combination of quicker steering, and firmer suspension to name a few.
I personally think that both the Fit and the Versa have their strong points. Most every magazine I have read states the Versa to be a better people mover, where as the Fit is the more versatile car/"stuff" mover.
Popular? :confuse:
Scarce would be much more appropriate to describe the Fit.
Honda sold 308,415 Civic's in 2005 and will sell even more in 2006. Compare that to the 40,000 Fit expected to be imported in 2006.
Honda will sell 8 Civics for every Fit sold. :surprise:
Only the S2000 and Insight are less popular than the Fit. :P
Anyway, without so much as seeing a versa, i will try to compare with the Fit.
My impressions with the Fit are that it is a very bare bones, simplistic cargo mover. It is charming in a sense that it doesnt have many of the features common on today's vehicles. I almost feel like im back insidde by 92 civic dx when i sit in it. I would have loved to have had armrests, map lights, and an overhead console but after driving the fit for 2 1/2 months, i dont miss them anymore.
Nissan did a great job with all of the features they have included with the Versa. Not just the typical things like maplights, fully adjustable seats and an available armrest, but also bluetooth, keyless entry/ignition, steering wheel mounted audio controls and a 6 speed MT.
I knew the Versa would have all of this when i bought my Fit, but to me the Fit won out because of the "magic" seats. I drove a rental Chevy HHR last week and my parents drove a rental dodge caliber. seeing these cars with their seats folded down reminded me of how incredible the fit is with its rear seats folded down.
before my fit i had a 99 altima for 3 years. I bought it from carmax. The car had tons of style and drove almost like a sports car. Meanwhile the 98-99 accords i test drove made me feel 10 yrs older just by sitting behind the wheel. However, the car was a piece of junk. It was in the shop every couple of months. I dont know if my experience reflects poorly on nissan, carmax, or the previous owner.
So maybe after these cars are on the market for a little while their differences might not be so great. Honda will probably figure out to install cooler features (and basic accessories) and nissan might be able to rethink the rear seat design.
I don't think we can really, truly judge how popular the car will be, until the supply is able to exceed demand, and those who want a Fit, won't have to settle for something else, simply because they can't get their hands on one.
What I miss on these forums is "I traded my 14 mpg truck for a 35 mpg (FIT, VERSA, Yaris, etc)". I did that, down-sizing from an 05 Honda Odyssey to my FIT. In the 5300 miles I have had my FIT I have saved some $850 in fuel. Plus it's paid off!
I lived through the long gas lines of the 70's and 80's and I hope and pray we will not have to go though that again. You would sit in lines for hours and only allowed to get $10 worth. That's 3-4 gallons at todays prices. If prices hit the $4-5 a gallon and they sell you only 10 gallons that's $40-50! BUT it would fill my FIT!
I myself love my FIT, but would be happier if it was a hybrid or even more efficient a hybrid diesel. Can you imagine 50-70 mpg if not more! Come on Honda, Toyota, Nissan give is something more efficient.
Again, give yourself a pat on the back for getting your fuel efficient vehicle. Let's hope more of us in the U.S. do the same.
Give me a break! The Fit has limited supply and just because they are going to sell 1 for every 8 Civics doesn't mean it's not popular. Also, don't forget that the factory that makes the Fit for the US and Canada also produces it for Japan and most of Europe. You can't say a model isn't popular just by looking at total sales and then completely ignoring the supply issue.
...and is the S2000 "less popular" or just "more scarce" than the Fit?
Most Viewed Cars This Week
Each week Yahoo! Autos brings you the top 10 most popular cars in each of the different categories. The rankings are determined by the number of visitors that view each new car.
Top Economy Vehicles
1. 2006 Volkswagen Golf
2. 2006 Pontiac Solstice
3. 2006 Mazda MAZDA3
4. 2006 Toyota Corolla
5. 2006 MINI Cooper
Give yourself a break! Most of the general population is not even aware the Fit and Versa even exist.
Also, if you want/need ABS, the Fit is the natural choice because the Versa is not yet available with ABS, and every indication is that option will be very limited in availability.
Beyond that, I think it comes down to what other criteria are more important to you: fuel economy vs. the comfort of a larger, quieter car; sharp handling vs. a smoother but more rubbery suspension; well-executed basics vs. availability of features like Bluetooth, IntelligentKey, CD changer,and moonroof; Japanese vs. French-inspired styling. And so on.
Both are good cars and good choices, but cater to different needs.
1. 2006 Volkswagen Golf
2. 2006 Pontiac Solstice
3. 2006 Mazda MAZDA3
4. 2006 Toyota Corolla
5. 2006 MINI Cooper
Seems like a pretty odd list. Since when is the Solstice an 'economy' vehicle? :confuse:
And yes, the Mini Cooper, one of the automobile icons of history, a car known by millions upon millions of people around the world is #5 on the list. Yet how many Minis are sold in the US each year? The figure for June 2006 is 3,556 vehicles, a drop from June 2005. Meanwhile, Honda sold 3,747 Fits in June 2006.
So, from a previous post you informed me that the Civic is 8 times more popular than the Fit, but now you are telling me that the Mini (which sold less vehicles in June than the Fit) is more popular because it is on Yahoo! Autos TOP 5 list?
As I said before, give me a break.
Interesting.
Most people don't know about the Fit...yet...
1. Dealers can't keep them on their lots
2. Many people need to go on a waiting list for one
3. Many dealers are charging premiums on this car.
Sounds popular to me. Hate to repeat what backy said, but can you imagine if everyone knew about the Fit, what the demand problem would be then?!
Why don't we look at a real determinate of vehicle popularity...something like "number of days spent on dealer lots". I know the Wall Street Journal publishes that every month, a list of the truly "popular" cars from a real source, not some BS like Yahoo! Autos hits per page.
Of course, they only measure cars that have been on sale for a few months...4 I think. So, since the Fit started sales in April, they would start measuring in August. Let's find out if the Fit makes that list on September 1st, OK?
Autos and the auto industry are one of my interests. I've worked as a salesperson and as a dealer. I owned over 20 just from the time I turned 14 to the time I was 18!
I like the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa very much. The Honda is sportier and the Versa is directed more to comfort and offers more premium options.
It is impossible to determine how popular either of these vehicles will be until there is greater supply. 40,000 vehicles is one grain of sand on a beach in the North American auto marketplace.
Q. If everyone knew about the Fit, how many would Honda sell?
A. 40,000
Why don't we look at a real determinate of vehicle popularity...something like "number of days spent on dealer lots". I know the Wall Street Journal publishes that every month, a list of the truly "popular" cars from a real source, not some BS like Yahoo! Autos hits per page.
Of course, they only measure cars that have been on sale for a few months...4 I think. So, since the Fit started sales in April, they would start measuring in August. Let's find out if the Fit makes that list on September 1st, OK?
OK, sounds fair. To give the comparison some validity, only vehicles being sold in low volumes (50,000 or less) may be compared. Example- Solstice or Cobra.
It was a very different feel than the seat on the xA, where I felt up high.
I don't recall it being more than a couple inches though - I was already pumping like a maniac.
In all seriousness, do some of you use these things as a van everyday? If so, what do you haul? More curious than anything as the Versa is a people hauler to me with the boot used for groceries, etc...
Thanks!
Just moved a 32 inch TV last month. Went to Linen n Things, bought a pair of floor rocking chairs.
I'm finding I use it quite often actually.
I think that the general concensus has been if you mainly haul people the Versa may be the better choice. The Versa just can't match the versatility of the Fit's interior for hauling stuff. The lack of fold flat seats wouldn't be so bad if the Versa had a larger usable cargo area with the seats up. For me the Versa's lack of fold flat seats is a deal breaker as I am hauling stuff all the time.
I found the height of the Versa S's drivers seat to be OK. The benefit of the height adjuster for me is to provide more thigh support. Unfortunately, the Versa's height adjuster is like those in many other cars, a single adjustment that raises the seat bottom along one axis. So even though I raised the seat fully, I still wished for a little more thigh support. I prefer the dual-knob height adjusters (or power, but that is unrealistic in this class). But the the dual-knob adjusters are becoming increasingly rare. Fortunately, the Versa S's seat was not intolerable; I found it more comfortable than the Fit's.