The current states of small hatches...

[Danny]

Hello, 'planeteers!

I thought it was worth a new thread to appreciate the absolutely brilliant state of the european mid-hatchback market. With the latest generation of hatchbacks, the choice between them is harder than ever. I know this could be a boring subject for many, but it's actually quicker to name the bad hatchbacks at the moment, rather than the good ones, which hasn't always been the case!

I'm keen to hear what you guys think to the current market, and what, if anything (never thought I'd say that!) could improve the current crop?

Also, which do you guys feel is the best and why?

 

[Joey D]

The way the current crop could be improved? Bring them to America, not one of those cars you posted is sold in America (the MINI is a One which isn't sold here). We need the Swift, Polo, and Mazda2.

I love my MINI and I think it's a great car despite having some issues, mainly with the cost of ownership. Due to the costs of ownership I think it doesn't make it the best one, even in America where the Yaris and the Fit are cheaper and just as good.

I'm really surprised we haven't gotten more of these cars here yet considering every one seems to be concerned with the rising cost of fuel. Maybe automotive company will realise we want and need smaller, more efficient cars now...unless your GM and you don't think Americans want small cars by not offering the Beat here.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I hope that red x is a Fiesta, because even though it's due to be replaced I still think the current one is a damn fine car.

 

[YSSMAN]

Your list has one fatal flaw:

I haven't driven a car that has been that easy to drive, that comfortable, much less capable... In quite some time. If Honda wasn't so prickly with their pricing schemes, chances are that I could have chosen that over the Mazda3 that I had been considering.

(Nevertheless, money issues got in the way)

Honda hit the nail on the head with the Jazz/Fit, the perfect balance of all the necessary features and amenities at the perfect price. Considering a fully-loaded Fit Sport (shown) is just under $16K, its a steal. Particularly when its one of the most fuel-efficent cars you can buy in the United States.

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In terms of what I'd want?

Low prices are always important, as are decent fuel economy. I however have a strong lean towards sporty driving, so while the Honda Fit Sport has that in spades, the Nissan Tiida/Versa did not... And consequently, I lost a lot of respect for the car (which has had a lot of critical acclaim in the US). The interior space has to be livable as well, not necessarily a BMW knock-off, but nevertheless on-par with most of the global competition. Again, Honda takes the benchmark with the Fit.

====

I'm personally most-excited for the Fiesta next year, and certainly, whenever VW gets around to giving us the Polo as well.

 

[G.T]

Swift, cause you get good performance for the cheap price, Japanese reliability, and exclusivity (for a mass production hatch).

 

[TB]

*snip*

Honda hit the nail on the head with the Jazz/Fit

*snip*

Granted this is a discussion for hatches but nonetheless, here goes. When we were looking at replacing our Gran Prix, we did our research, cruised many a dealers lots and test drove a few of our finalists. One of the cars that on paper looked to fit the bill (no pun intended) was the Fit. After seeing it in person, though, my wife, not being one to base car buying decisions solely on looks, immediately said no and she got no argument from me. For a few thousand dollars more, we bought a Civic coupe instead. Current fuel economy ratings put them on par on the highway and the Fit only edges out the Civic by 2 (which I contest as I get better mileage than the 26mpg posted (usually at least 28, thus making that a wash)) in the city.

Granted, if you're looking for a vehicle that can take a decent sized box in it's back end without complaining too much, it might be right up your alley. Since I have a Pilot for just such tasks, it wasn't a priority for me. Bottom line - I think the Fit is hideous, but to each their own.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Your list has one fatal flaw:

The Jazz as far as I know has always been respected much like the Yaris, in that it's a reliable, no-thrills sort of car. "Honest John" of the Telegraph was hugely supportive of it's folding seats and load space but since then alot of the competitors have imrpoved in that area.

Plus, it's most definetley a feminine looking car. Only just less so than the Matiz.

Swift, cause you get good performance for the cheap price, Japanese reliability, and exclusivity (for a mass production hatch).

Exclusivity?! I probably see more than I do Yaris', but the Suzuki dealer is considerably closer than the Toyota dealer... I think.

 

[G.T]

I've only ever seen like 5 new Swifts ever since it came out.

 

[Danny]

Added the Jazz, forgot that one!

Another great car, as already said.👍
The entire point of this thread really is to show that if someone is in the market for a small hatchback at the moment, then... it's brilliant! So many great cars!

 

[Sage]

I love hatches – whenever I watch Top Gear, and they’re like driving through a city, I’m always envious of how many cars are hatches and of all the hatches you guys get that we don’t.

No love for the Fiat 500?

 

[ExigeEvan]

I've only ever seen like 5 new Swifts ever since it came out.

OMGWTF!?

 

[Tornado]

The Jazz as far as I know has always been respected much like the Yaris, in that it's a reliable, no-thrills sort of car.

That is because our Fit is different then your Jazz. Ours is a more practical Mini Cooper competitor (with similar driving characteristics) that often sells for less money. Yours is basic transportation.

 

[Danny]

No love for the Fiat 500?

I'm trying to keep it hatches of similar size rather than mixing segments.

I'm talking bigger than a 500/Smart, smaller than a Megane/A3.

OMGWTF!?

+1, quite a lot around where I live. Could the Swift be the model to springboard Suzuki into more mainstream motoring?

 

[ExigeEvan]

That is because our Fit is different then your Jazz. Ours is a more practical Mini Cooper competitor (with similar driving characteristics) that often sells for less money. Yours is basic transportation.

Wait, how? Wiki didn't shine any light on it except for showing that the Fit got better press here than I realised.

+1, quite a lot around where I live. Could the Swift be the model to springboard Suzuki into more mainstream motoring?

With time maybe, but I don't know anyone of my age that drives one because they 1) haven't dropped to student prices yet 2) Parents would rather go with the familiar Fiesta or cheaper panda 3) People like Cliosm dunno why.


Oh and take down the damn Matiz'! plzthxbye.

 

[G.T]

I'm talking bigger than a 500/Smart, smaller than a Megane/A3.

I fail to see why the Matiz is there then.

 

[Leonidae]

Mazda 2 is available with 3 door chassis now, and Mazdaspeed 2 is under development, thus it gets yay from me. and then there's Lupo and Polo GTi.. yay for those as well. the rest can disappear into the history.

 

[Joey D]

Ours is a more practical Mini Cooper competitor (with similar driving characteristics) that often sells for less money. Yours is basic transportation.

The Cooper and the Fit don't really drive all that similarly. Yes the Fit is a fun car but the suspension isn't as tuned as the Cooper's. I test drove both quite a bit when I was in the market for a car.

 

[TopHat]

Out of all of them, we only get a few. It's not fair!


I'd love to have the option of a French car, or an Italian one.

 

[Joey D]

Out of all of them, we only get a few. It's not fair!


I'd love to have the option of a French car, or an Italian one.

We are getting Alfa's fairly soon, they will be sold through MINI dealerships. This means you will have the choice of a Mi.To and possibly a Fiat or two.

 

[Danny]

We are getting Alfa's fairly soon, they will be sold through MINI dealerships. This means you will have the choice of a Mi.To and possibly a Fiat or two.

Oh, you're missing out on the 147?

I really like it, despite some pretty damaging flaws...

Oh, and it (was) beautiful.

 

[Joey D]

We don't get any Alfa's in the states and haven't since 1995. Give me the Brera though and I'll write Alfa a cheque tomorrow.

 

[NLxAROSA]

So how about this one? The 2009 Séat Ibiza, basically it's the next generation Polo, but then from Séat. Or the Skoda Fabia, also from the VAG-group, also based on the next-gen Polo.

Ibiza:

Fabia:

For those of you who do not know what kind of brand Séat is (I don't think they sell them in the US): The Volkswagen-Audi Group has 4 volume brands: VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda. Audi is considered the premium sports brand, Séat the budget sports brand. VW is the premium luxury brand and Skoda the budget luxury brand.

And how can you guys possibly forget the new Alfa Romeo Mito? It's like a small 8C Competizione. And there is lot's of rumor that AR will come to the US!

Mito:

 

[Danny]

The Fabia is on the list already, as is the Ibiza. The Ibiza would be the broken image between the 2 and the Punto that I've only just noticed.

 

[NLxAROSA]

Ah, I just saw the Fabia, but the Ibiza I did not see in the list at all. Also, Audi has a small hatchback concept called the A1. No known releasedates though. Could be a good competitor for the Alfa Romeo Mito. 👍

 

[homeforsummer]

Oh, you're missing out on the 147?

The 147 is from the class above 👍

Of the ones above I'd be having the Mini or the Mazda2. Conceptually I like the 2 because it shows car makers are finally realising that cars need to be lighter, and the new 2 is 100kg lighter than the outgoing model. That's a massive amount for the size of the car.

The Polo is too old, the Yaris and Jazz too boring, the Peugeot and Clio too ugly (apart from the Clio 197)... I like the Swift and Punto though.

Ones you missed by the way, Citroen C2/C3, Daihatsu Materia/Sirion, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Colt, Nissan Micra/Note, Proton Satria Neo and Seat Ibiza. Fair enough, they aren't all brilliant but it just goes to add to the diversity of the market. I could add even more if you considered city cars worthy in the list 👍

 

[CyborgGT]

We don't get any Alfa's in the states and haven't since 1995. Give me the Brera though and I'll write Alfa a cheque tomorrow.

Alfa's coming back to the States this year; they're gonna sell at Mini dealerships.

As for which hatch I prefer, that easily goes to the Cooper S. I'd like to get one and up the horsepower. The thought of speeding around in such a small car is awesome; plus it's the best-looking out of all of those in the topic post, imo.

 

[McLaren]

The way the current crop could be improved? Bring them to America, not one of those cars you posted is sold in America (the MINI is a One which isn't sold here). We need the Swift, Polo, and Mazda2. .

Uh, we actually do get the Yaris (just not the 4-door) & the Jazz/Fit here.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Bare in mind the list has been added to (and reduced, yay no matiz) considerably.

 

[Danny]

Yeah, I took all four out.

 

[Joey D]

Uh, we actually do get the Yaris (just not the 4-door) & the Jazz/Fit here.

Which weren't posted when I made my comment thing morning.