Prius v vs Honda Fit vs 2012 Impreza Hatch

Just my 2 cents:
I've owned two Subaru's-dont't go there,for the short term you'll like the Fit, for the long term I think the Prius would be your best bet.

 

You already know the answer or you wouldn't be here

 

In 5 to 10 years down the road, which car would you rather be driving? I think the answer is clear.

 

I own a 2010 Honda Fit Sport. What I can tell you is that in my opinion for a subcompact vehicle The Fit is excellent. I find it to be fun to drive, and with the seat configurability incredibly versatile.

However? As versatile as it is, it is a subcompact. While I think it can be used for short periods for up to 5 passengers it certainly would not be ideal. It is a subcompact regardless.

Also, I have found that while with careful manipulation and removal of the front wheel I can fit a bicycle in the back, I myself plan to buy a bike rack. At best the fit it tight, with risk to the interior I'd rather not take.

I really like my Honda Fit, but I'm also single and rarely have to transport large groups. I believe that if my priorities were gas mileage along with ability to transport a family or group of 5, then my choice would clearly be the Mid-Size Prius or even the new Prius v.

You're going to have all the benefits of a Hybrid AND the extra space with a Prius. The Fit is an amazing subcompact, but even with what I think is a brilliant design and layout it's ultimately limited by the reality of what it is.

I believe both Prius and Honda Fit are deserving of the accolades they receive. However, if I were charged with the responsibility of transporting a group of 5 routinely, I think my choice would be clear. Mid-Size Prius...and I might even take a look at the new Prius v.

 

Same job description as the Saab ?

 

We bought a Fit in 2007, only a few weeks after they were introduced in the US. It was an excellent car for over 5 years, great interior, we averaged 33 - 36 mpg on a regular basis (though our commute is almost all freeway driving, a friend of mine who drives mostly city gets 25). The seats were reasonably comfortable and stayed that way for 270,000 miles. It's a great car for a couple who occasionally takes along two other people - I would not want to carry a 5th person though. It worked well for carrying cargo, and I was rather sad to say goodbye to it 2 weeks ago.

We ended up buying a Prius model 4 over another Fit (we did seriously consider getting one) or a Subaru Forester (the AWD Forester would be cheaper to run in the winter than our second vehicle, a Wrangler). I don't know how the V will compare to the hatchback, but we found the Prius quieter, smoother to drive, and love the heated leather seats. It's quite a bit more luxury and the 50 mpg we are averaging so far sure helps to off-set the extra cost. The amount of cargo space is probably similar, though it doesn't have the versatility of the Honda's interior. It's nice to have real carpet instead of what passed for carpet in the Fit - I regret not getting floor mats for the Fit, there was a hole in the flooring material on the passenger side.

I have no regrets about paying quite a bit more for the Prius, especially when I see the fact our local gas is still at $3.79.

 

I have a 2010 Subaru wrx and came from a 2007 Impreza.
Subaru is right at the top for sales and reliability right now. In my experience (owning a 03 civic before my 07) the Subaru's are just amazing. My civic was crap, I'll never own another Honda again (bought brand new).

Now our Prius, has also been just amazing. 183,000km on it and hasn't had a thing done to it. It needs brakes now, tires, an a alignment, and some fluids changed. That's it. But at the age and kms on it, who could complain?

If you need AWD I'd go with the Subaru. If you're looking at mpg, and maintenance I'd go with the Prius.
The new Subaru's 2.0 is suppose to be a very good engine along with the new cvt.
The drivetrain (boxer engine being one), symmetrical layout with the AWD is just an amazing setup in the winter.

 

Seems odd to compare the Prius v to the Fit. Why not include the regular Prius in there too? Should be a little less pokey and has better mileage, besides having a a lower starting price.

Per http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm, the regular Prius already has more passenger and luggage volume than the Fit.

The last time I looked at a Fit's interior, I wasn't impressed w/the quality of it. It's worse than that of the Prius, but it's not surprise, given the Fit's price.

Prius is a tiny bit faster than an automatic Fit per http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/fuel-economy-vs-performance/overview/index.htm. You can see how the Prius stacks up at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...ce/most-fuelefficient-cars/overview/index.htm.

 

Prius if you can afford it otherwise the fit . I own both but the prius is my # 1.

 

You`re making a classic mistake IMHO. You`re comparing the wrong vehicles again. The Pv is larger than the iconic model. Whythen would you compare it to the subcompact Fit?

The Fit`s natural competition in the Toyota lineup is the Yaris.

The Pv will be competing against its sibling the Matrix, the Mazda3 hatch, Gms HHR, and the Focus. Of course you are free to create any comparo that you wish but the end result is often predetermined in those cases.

 

Why not toss in the Hyundai Veloster for your comparo? It should get similar mpg to the Fit, looks nicer than any of your vehicle choices and fits within your price range. Ultimately I think the standard Prius would be the best comprise.

 

Prius v looks an awful lot like the Mazda 5 ... very similar dimensions within an inch or so and same silhouette.

Prius v is about $5k more than Mazda 5 w/ auto trans., but you'd be saving a lot on gas in Prius. I figured if gas averaged about $4 / gallon and each car got its average FE, you'd earn back the $5k in about 70k miles of driving....

but you'd be enjoying some really nice features like Smart key, push button start, Entune audio and more in Prius v.

I'm excited to see Prius v coming out. I hope it sells really well!

 

It's also not a Mazda, which is a benefit. Though the mazda 5 does seat 6. Resale on them is not good, the mazdas, I've seen late model ones going for insane prices, earlier this year I saw one for about $12,000 in great shape with hardly any miles (was a 2009). So they are a good pick used.

 

wow, that Prius v is a great looking car! Doesn't look wagoney at all .. looks fresh and modern. Great for family of 5 and more cargo room than a Camry.

 

Prius v is a midsize wagon, interior just about measures up to Camry.

Fit is a subcompact that sits almost like a compact

Impreza hatch is a compact.

v is a class up.

 

As a general rule, you might want to stay away from 1st year models. And as others have said, the current Prius might be a better choice and comparison to the other cars than the new V.

That said, I've wanted a Prius for a long time, even before the 2010 model was introduced. But I've decided that my upcoming purchase will be a 2012 Honda Fit. Hey, even at PriusChat, there should be one voice of dissent to keep this discussion balanced.

I live in the city and my work commute is a relatively short 13 miles round trip. For me, gasoline savings wouldn't match the difference in price. The Fit starts at a little over $15K and that includes a USB audio jack, cruise control, remote entry & security system. The environmental difference of lower emissions is important to me, but how much pollution am I truly contributing (or saving with the Prius) with my 5000 miles per year? Is it worth the extra cost? Or could I direct that money into other environmental choices for my home and lifestyle?

I thought the Fit was ugly and too small until I spent some time inside one. It is difficult to explain how spacious it feels on the inside (including the back seat). I guess it is the high roofline that does it. It felt roomier than many of the cars that were one tier higher like the new Elantra, Civic, and new Focus.

The internal design of the Fit is very nice with it's "magic seats" in the back that can flip up to allow tall items or flip down to a flat surface with 57 cubic feet of storage. Everywhere you turn, there's a storage area or cup holder available. And the view in the rear-view mirror is unencumbered due to back head restraints that recede into the seats when not being used.

I think it's too easy to dismiss the Fit out of hand. That's what I initially did but thankfully I took the time to examine it in person. What I've chosen isn't necessarily the right choice for you. Whatever you choose, if you do your research and match your car with your needs, expectations, and price range, it's going to be the right choice.