Affordable Cars, Fantastic Fuel Economy
(Page 3 of 4)
December 2006/January 2007
By John Rockhold and Todd Kaho
The Yaris’ engine has punch. I had no trouble getting up to speed on highways, and I enjoyed darting around and away from SUVs. With its zip and nimble handling, the Yaris is an absolute blast to drive. I had so much fun that I sometimes forgot to drive with fuel economy in mind; nevertheless, I averaged 36 mpg and only needed gas once after more than 400 miles.
RELATED CONTENT
The new guide from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provi...
Get ready for better gas mileage!...
Conventional water heaters heat water and store it until it’s used, but a lot of that heat is waste...
Build a woodstove out of mud-cast bricks using a plywood frame and sheetmetal stove pipe....
The numbers are in on Cash for Clunkers, and the program brought about even greater gains in fuel e...
— John Rockhold
Honda Fit
When Honda moved the Civic up last year to become a mid-sized sedan, there was a gap at the entry-level end of their lineup. Enter the 2007 Fit, Honda’s all-new five-door (four plus a hatch) subcompact economy car. Powered by a 109-horsepower, 1.5-liter VTEC engine, the versatile little Fit is a sensible and fun solution at a time of unstable gas prices.
Though small on the outside, the Fit offers a surprising amount of room on the inside. The 60/40 split “magic seat” in the rear has impressive legroom and flips into a flat floor that can carry more than 41 cubic feet of cargo. As you might expect, handling is nimble, and the Fit feels most at home in an urban environment. Fuel capacity is just 10.8 gallons, so $20 will often top off the tank. But with fuel economy estimates of 33 mpg (31 mpg with the five-speed automatic) in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, you won’t make many trips to the gas station.
— Todd Kaho
Nissan Versa
Tall in the middle, with rounded abbreviated lines, the Nissan Versa is versatile and maximizes interior space. To differentiate it from its competitors, the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, Nissan is positioning the Versa as a high-content subcompact. This is no economy car — the Versa has numerous amenities, including an intelligent keyless entry system, Bluetooth hands-free phone and high-end audio systems.
The Versa has best-in-class power from its 122-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine, which can go with a six-speed manual, four-speed automatic or an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). That extra power, though, means the Versa isn’t as efficient as the Fit or Yaris; expect about 30 mpg or less in the city, mid-30s on the highway. But the 13.2 gallon fuel tank offers more than adequate range between fill-ups.
Several hundred pounds heavier than the Fit, the Versa is not quite as agile, but the overall ride and handling qualities are quite good for this class of vehicle. This is a comfortable car offering top-notch quality.
— Todd Kaho
Keys to the Data
Price: the manufacturer’s suggested retail price; pricing may vary based on your region.
Source: respective automakers and Kelley Blue Book
EPA mpg City: average estimate for city driving; actual mileage will vary with driving conditions and habits
EPA mpg Highway: average estimate for highway driving; actual mileage will vary with driving conditions and habits
