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Downsizing: Compacts With Big Ambitions

Compacts from Nissan, Honda and Suzuki

May 31, 2007

 
 

There’s increasing talk about living small these days, but it’s challenging to shed excess when all around we still hear the mantra of “more.” And, when it comes to cars, concern about the amount of fuel we burn — be it worry for the pocketbook or the planet — is sometimes trumped by the number of seatbelts. We want it all.

When I was a kid (one of four), we were the first family in town with an SUV — a boxy yellow Jeep Wagoneer that we nicknamed “the Lemon” (but that’s another story). We lived on a big hill and it snowed a lot in New Hampshire in those days, and besides, we towed stuff in the summer. The six of us, plus my grandmother, rode comfortably in the car. My little sister sat untethered on the bench seat between my parents (this was before a parent’s spring-loaded arm was replaced by the airbag) and I sat in a folding beach chair in the rear cargo area, where I could read in peace.

These days, such a scenario would land you in traffic court, and a family like ours would have to meekly climb into a minivan or a Suburban — or take two cars — for a group outing. I’m not complaining. Despite increased miles logged and more cars on the road, the death rate among car passengers in accidents has dropped dramatically since I was a teenager (down 22.7 percent from 1975 to 1992, and down an additional 2 percent from 1992 to 2004), thanks to seatbelts, airbags, seatbelts, traction control and seatbelts (not to mention the enforcement of seatbelt laws).

The good news is that there’s a flush of new compact cars out there that can hold a cozy five with a couple of bags of groceries to boot. The compact car segment has grown by about 20 percent in the last three years, and the latest entries are nimble and peppy, relatively responsible at the fuel pump and loaded with cool features you never would have found in a Datsun.

These newcomers are truncated wagons and follow close on the heels of the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe. I drove four cars in five weeks, and to be honest the details of the models tend to blend a bit. If I hadn’t taken notes I’m not sure I could remember which car had the comfiest seats (the Honda), the best acceleration (the Suzuki) or the annoying steering wheel-mounted radio tuner.

That was the Nissan Versa, a car I loved — until I accidentally hit the tuner switch with my thumb just as WTMD was about to play a never-released Beatles song. No joke. I had to fiddle for several critical minutes and missed the whole thing.

The other annoyance on the tricked-out Versa that I tested was the keyless start ­— as with the Prius and a handful of other models, you don’t actually have to put a key into a slot. In this case, you crank the casing where the key would go (as long as the key is nearby). I don’t understand why this is such a popular feature in luxury cars. So it saves you from fumbling for your keys — but you still have to unlock the car with a key. I’ve found myself searching the car whenever I get out, worried that I’ve dropped the key under the seat. Furthermore, I have twice now driven out of a parking garage while the key remained in a valet’s pocket.

Nevertheless, the Versa seems to be the most spacious of the cars I tested — not only for bodies, thanks to its 102.4-inch wheelbase, but also for stuff: There is an enormous glove box and a nice bin between the seats. The seats themselves are comfortable and not at all what you would expect from a compact car.

I guess this isn’t a compact after all. There’s room enough for five, though the back really isn’t designed for three adults (how many backseats are these days?), and the 1.8-liter, 122-horsepower engine is full of pep. The downside? Anti-lock brakes, standard on the Honda Fit, are a $250 option.

The Honda Fit, in spite of its name, was the slowest on the hills — I had to floor the thing even after downshifting. Its 1.5-liter engine is small, delivering only 109 horsepower, though it benefits from the VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) engine. I wasn’t impressed by the pull, even in the manual transmission. But the Fit is the most innovative inside, with its “magic seat” configurations: Seats flip this way and that, so you can load anything from ladders and surfboards to dog crates and rocking chairs. There’s lots of storage space when the seats are down. And the quirky shape is eye-catching.

The Suzuki SX4 is probably the most elaborate car of the bunch, especially if you are interested in all-wheel drive, which comes standard — along with ABS. But the EPA fuel economy estimates are considerably lower than the others’ (at 23/28 city/highway, a full 10 mpg below the Fit). The Suzuki feels larger than the other cars. With a length of 162.8 inches and a 98.4-inch wheelbase, the Suzuki is a few inches shorter than the Versa, but it feels roomy thanks to its oversized raked front windshield and larger side windows. The Suzuki is also heavier than the competition: At 2,800 pounds, it outweighs the 2,432-pound Fit and the 2,513-pound Nissan Versa.

Finally, there’s the hatchback version of the Toyota Yaris, which may not really belong in this group. About 20 inches shorter than the 169-inch-long sedan version, the two-door Yaris is less convenient and has substantially less space for legs and cargo. The four-door sedan, however, is roomy and has been hailed as a big improvement over its much-maligned predecessor, the Echo. The hatchback does have a lower sticker price as well as the best fuel ratings, 34/40.

10 TIPS to Keep Your Car Running at Top Speed

Sometimes we get so busy that we forget to take proper care of our car. Here is a cheat sheet to help you keep your vehicle — and yourself — safe and sound.

  1. Change your oil at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals — and even more often if you plan to keep the car for a long time. I recommend every 5,000 miles.
  2. Use the appropriate type of gas for your car, and fill up when the gauge is at ¼ tank. Fuel pumped from a relatively dry tank may cause damage to the fuel filter or fuel pump.
  3. Maintain the proper tire pressure — for safety, tire life and good fuel economy.
  4. Read your owner’s manual — there’s a reason why you get one when you buy a car.
  5. Learn how to change a tire. AAA might not be there quickly when you need them most.
  6. Keep a flashlight in your car, along with a small first aid kit.
  7. A well-maintained vehicle will run properly and use fuel more efficiently.
  8. Have your tires rotated every 7,500 miles for optimum wear.
  9. Have your brakes checked and replace them when your service provider recommends that this be done. It could mean the difference between life and death.
  10. Establish a relationship with a reputable service facility. A steady relationship allows the facility
    to monitor your service and maintenance history, which keeps your vehicle in excellent shape.

Take good care of your car and it will take good care of you!

— Jenny Trostel, owner and president, Saab of Baltimore

 
 
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