Honda Fit vs Honda Civic Hatchback

Once upon a time, buying a new car on a budget meant scraping the bottom of the barrel. Sure, it had a “low, low” price to get you in the door, but for that price, you did not get a whole lot of car. For most of its existence, the “econo-box” was a much-lamented auto segment.

But times have changed. Automakers like Honda and Toyota have committed to offering small, affordable new cars that are safe, comfortable, and filled with features one would commonly associate with more upscale cars. The standard-bearer for this effort is the 2018 Honda Fit. A car like this can make you ask, “Do I really need any more car?”

In the past year or more, we’ve tested dozens of new compact crossovers. And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, they are all basically high-riding hatchbacks. Their high ground clearance suggests capability, but in reality, accomplishes little more than what a hatchback already does. In that context, it's refreshing to see a car like the 2018 Honda Fit. It has cargo space that not only rivals but exceeds that of some compact crossovers. It also boasts many of the tech and safety features of those pseudo-SUVs. And it accomplishes all this in a small hatchback layout that makes for a great city car.

The popular Honda Civic went through a major redesign for 2016. Both the coupe and sedan got a new look, new technology, and a new turbocharged engine option.

This year, there’s a new model in the mix, and it’s the first Civic Hatchback Honda has sold in the U.S. since 2005. With its extra cargo space and sport-oriented tweaks, it’s aimed squarely at the stereotypical Civic buyer: someone who wants a practical, fun-to-drive compact car.

I spent a week putting a Civic Hatchback Sport through it’s paces—from stop-and-go commuting to a highway slog with a hatch full of cargo—and enjoyed every minute. While any Civic is a safe bet, the Hatchback offers even more to love.