As fuel prices continue to rise and fears of an economic recession worsen, consumers are flocking to small cars in record numbers, attracted by the fuel economy and budget sticker prices these vehicles offer. In the crowded, ultra-competitive subcompact and compact car markets, two Honda models—the Fit and the Civic—are tops in their segment in initial quality, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS).SM
Subcompact Car Segment
Highest Ranked: 2008 Honda Fit
Though relatively new to the U.S. market, having debuted only last year, the Honda Fit has already established itself as a high-quality, high-volume model in the burgeoning subcompact car segment. Moving up one rank position from its debut in last year’s study, the 2008 Honda Fit is the award recipient in the subcompact car segment in the 2008 IQS.
The 2008 Honda Fit is offered in 5-door hatchback configuration only, and comes in Base or Sport trim. Though the Fit is a subcompact car, it offers 90 cubic feet of interior volume—among the best in the segment—and an innovative rear Magic Seat that offers versatile cargo- and passenger-carrying options. Standard features on the Base model include air conditioning, power windows/mirrors/locks, and, new for 2008, a tire-pressure-monitoring system. Sport versions offer a body kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, remote keyless entry, cruise control, security system, 15-inch alloy wheels, and a 160-watt, 6-speaker audio system with MP3/WMA playback capability, 5-mode equalizer, and auxiliary audio input jack. Beyond its list of standard and optional features, the 2008 Honda Fit is also offered with a long list of interior and exterior accessories for those who want to personalize their vehicle.
The front-wheel-drive Honda Fit is powered by a 109-hp, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, though a 5-speed automatic transmission is available. Sport models with the automatic transmission can be equipped with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 28 mpg city/34 mpg city for vehicles equipped with the manual transmission, 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway for the Fit Base automatic transmission, and 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway for the Fit Sport with automatic transmission.
2008 Honda Fit prices
2008 Honda Fit photos
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Honda Fit First Time Buyer’s Guide
Ranked No. 2: 2008 Kia Rio/Rio5
Ranked No. 2 in the subcompact car segment is the Kia Rio/Rio5, which ranked highest in the segment in last year’s study. Mechanically similar to the Hyundai Accent, the Rio/Rio5 comes in 4-door sedan (Rio) or 5-door hatchback (Rio5) configurations, and is offered in Base (sedan only), LX and SX trim levels. Base models are fairly plain, but LX models come with air conditioning, adjustable rear headrests, split and folding rear seats, and an AM/FM/CD stereo. Rio SX models feature gray sport seats with red stitching, metallic interior trim, metal pedals, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, fog lights and a rear spoiler. The 2008 Kia Rio/Rio5 is powered by a 110-hp, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. It is available with either a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission (on LX and SX models).
Ranked No. 3: 2008 Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent maintains its position from last year’s IQS, again ranking No. 3 among subcompact cars. The Accent is offered in sedan (GLS) and hatchback (GS and SE) configurations, though the Accent hatchback is a 3-door model as opposed to the Rio5’s 5-door configuration. And, like the Rio, all 2008 Accent models are powered by a 110-hp, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, and offer a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Compact Car Segment
Highest Ranked: 2008 Honda Civic
A perennial best-seller in the crowded compact car segment, the Honda Civic also offers top-notch quality, as evidenced by its repeat performance as the highest-ranked compact car in initial quality in the 2008 IQS.
Available in two body styles (2-door coupe or 4-door sedan) with a choice of three powertrain configurations (gasoline, gasoline-electric hybrid, natural gas), four transmissions (5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic or CVT), and seven trim levels (DX, LX, EX, EX-L, GX, Hybrid and Si), the front-wheel-drive Civic offers consumers many choices. Standard equipment levels gradually increase from DX to EX-L, and navigation and XM satellite radio are available as factory options. New for 2008 is the leather-equipped EX-L model, as well as the performance-oriented Mugen Si (sedan only), complete with its 197-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, body kit with rear spoiler, and a sport-tuned exhaust.
Standard on DX, LX, EX and EX-L trims is a 140-hp, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The natural-gas-powered Civic GX employs the same 1.8-liter engine, but uses compressed natural gas for fuel, rather than gasoline (output is reduced to 113 hp). Civic Si and Mugen Si models share the aforementioned 197-hp, 2.0-liter engine, and Hybrid models feature Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system, which combines a 1.4-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. The Hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission, and combined power output for the hybrid powertrain is 110 hp. Fuel-economy estimates for the 2008 Honda Civic lineup range anywhere from 21 mpg city for the Mugen Si sedan with 6-speed manual transmission to 45 mpg highway for the Civic Hybrid sedan with CVT.
2008 Honda Civic prices
2008 Honda Civic photos
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Honda Civic First Time Buyer’s Guide
Ranked No. 2: 2008 Toyota Prius
Replacing the Toyota Corolla as the No. 2-ranked model in the compact car segment in the 2008 IQS is another small car from the Japanese automaker—the Toyota Prius. In addition to top-notch quality, the Prius also delivers segment-leading fuel economy (48 mpg city, according to the EPA), thanks to its Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, which combines a 76-hp, 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. Combined output is only 110 hp, but the Prius’ 295 lb.-ft. of torque is on par with that of many V-8s. An electronic continuously variable transmission (ECVT) is the only available transmission.
Ranked No. 3: 2008 Hyundai Elantra
Redesigned for the 2007 model year, the Hyundai Elantra ranks No. 3 in the compact car segment in initial quality for the second consecutive year. The “big on the inside” Elantra sedan is offered in GLS and SE trim levels, and comes standard with power windows and locks, keyless entry, and heated power mirrors. The front-wheel-drive 2008 Hyundai Elantra is powered by a 138-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and comes with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
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