Best Family Hatch for 21k or under

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: krismoriah72

Also note it is highly desired..high resale values due to demand and they leave the lot quickly. The highest desired color is white.


Agreed on high resale. Used ones are silly expensive, especially late-model used ones. The Fit is one of the cars where buying new is generally better than buying used.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: wn1998
My two criteria, high city mpg (40 mile round trip for work) and reliability

...That's it?

If so, then get any of the ones you listed, but certified pre-owned with the lowest possible miles and the most recent possible in-service date. It'll have a longer warranty that way -- I'm pretty sure all of those companies offer 7 year/100k mile warranties on certified pre-owned cars.

 

[Noey]

Why only japanese?

Try the Ford Focus and let me know what you think...

 

[Spazdog]

The Honda Fit for versatility.

The Mazda 3 for driver's vehicle.

The Prius C.....because you don't really care about versatility or how well a car drives.

I would just get a Yaris in place of the Prius C. It doesn't drive any worse and there are no fears of when the battery pack goes bad. You do lose a few mpg, particularly in the city. You can take the money you saved on the Yaris, buy a Honda PCX 150, and get near 100mpg.

 

[Rolla07]

Prius will get best city mpg out of all of them.

 

[Vuflanovsky]

While I think there are more cars out there than Toyota, Honda, and Mazda, there aren't a lot of great choices for what you're looking for. I looked at a Fit before eventually buying a Hyundai Accent SE hatchback with a GDI in 2013. I really like the Accent as a commuter / stuff hauler but it's not as versatile as the Fit if you want to go that small. The new Fit is quieter and they evidently fixed the ride and gave it a six speed. Those were the reasons I didn't buy it in 2013. Today might be a different story. Mazda 3 is OK but I didn't have a great experience with my 2009 which colors my perspective. YMMV.

 

[JHZR2]

I'd rate the toyota and Honda over the Mazda for longevity and reliability, though driving dynamics will be better on the Mazda.

Since you're looking at a hatch, which has the most cargo and total interior space?

I'd probably drive a harder bargain for the bigger Prius. The Honda is way overpriced.

 

[97tbird]

Mazda 3

 

[Islandvic]

Mazda

 

[yesthatsteve]

You can get a new C-Max hybrid for $21k after rebates. CPO will run even less.

 

[hypervish]

Fit or Prius.

 

[andrewg]

I just bought a 2015 Honda Fit EX a few hours ago.

It's so weird when you look at the car from the outside....as it seems to be pretty small. But when you get inside and look around at the space, it's really roomy.

The seat configurations are great and versatile. The 1.5L engine and tranny (cvt) seem like a great match. Plenty of power...also has an "Econ" mode button for optimum mpg's.

I had read that the driver/passenger seats were uncomfortable. But not for me.

Too soon for me to tell if long-term this is a great car for my needs. From all the research I have obtained online, the new Fit is a substantial winner in it's category.

 

[MCompact]

Mazda 3

 

[spackard]

Just curious if you could get it anything below MSRP or not.
Our used '13 Fit Sport was about $19k out the door, so I guessed they sell close to list.

 

[krismoriah72]

If you can wait a few months.. may be worth it to check this one out.
http://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v/#intro

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Versa Note. Like the Fit, it's physically smaller on the outside than it is on the inside.

 

[IndyIan]

IMO the only new family hatch/wagons left is the Jetta, and PriusV, as you need space with the back seats up IME. Think stroller and kids bike, plus you stop at the grocery store on the way home... Or going camping. Factory roof racks are also worth something to me as well as they are quiet all the time and still have enough capacity for a couple bikes, or boards.
Personally I'd look for used unless you plan to keep it for a long time, kids are a bit rough on everything I find.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: krismoriah72
If you can wait a few months.. may be worth it to check this one out.
http://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v/#intro




I'd thought about it but the mpg's and looks didn't suit me.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
it's physically smaller on the outside than it is on the inside.

I know what you mean by this, but the way it's worded is slightly alarming...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: Miller88
it's physically smaller on the outside than it is on the inside.

I know what you mean by this, but the way it's worded is slightly alarming...

It should come with a warning label: "Certain laws of physics have been broken while making this car."