2008 Woodie Awards
Micro cars are best, for the college driver market
Ryan Boule
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Technology
In a time of climbing gas prices, the three major Japanese automotive manufacturers, Honda, Nissan and Toyota, have come up with a solution. Micro cars get ridiculous gas mileage and have extremely low manufactured suggested retail prices (MSRP).
The first micro car in my comparison is the Honda Fit, with a MSRP of $14,650 for the base model this is a practical car for the money. With 109 horsepower and 31/38 fuel economy, anyone can afford to buy one and even more important---fill the tank on a regular basis.
The Fit's performance is nothing to drool over. With a 0 to 60 miles per hour (MPH) time of 12 seconds, the Fit is the slowest car tested and you definitely won't be eating any Ferraris alive as you cruise along the freeway. Not quite fit for racing, but a great all around town car.
The Nissan Versa is the powerhouse of the group with a whopping 120 horsepower and an estimated 28/35 fuel economy.
The Versa is the quickest car in the test with a 9.4 seconds launch from 0 to 60 MPH. This is not impressive and definitely not what you would expect from the company that brought us the 350Z and 240SX. At least Nissan was able to keep their tradition of having more horsepower than their in class competitors on almost all occasions.
The Toyota Yaris is the nice guy in the equation, with the highest fuel economy and lowest MSRP of the group, $12,650. The 34/39 fuel economy is the highest of the bunch but the 106 horsepower is also the lowest in the test.
The Yaris performance is the middle of the road, at least for this test, with a less-than frantic romp to 60 MPH in 10.4 seconds. It's faster than the Fit but slower than the Versa by a whole second. The Yaris has never been or will ever be a sports car. The Yaris is made by Toyota, so expect great fuel economy and a car that will live as long as you will.
Neither of the micro cars tested can be seen as striped interior, race-ready, super-handling tuned up sports cars, I am a sports car fan, but for those of you who have common sense and a tight wallet when it comes to gas, one of these cars are for you.
The first micro car in my comparison is the Honda Fit, with a MSRP of $14,650 for the base model this is a practical car for the money. With 109 horsepower and 31/38 fuel economy, anyone can afford to buy one and even more important---fill the tank on a regular basis.
The Fit's performance is nothing to drool over. With a 0 to 60 miles per hour (MPH) time of 12 seconds, the Fit is the slowest car tested and you definitely won't be eating any Ferraris alive as you cruise along the freeway. Not quite fit for racing, but a great all around town car.
The Nissan Versa is the powerhouse of the group with a whopping 120 horsepower and an estimated 28/35 fuel economy.
The Versa is the quickest car in the test with a 9.4 seconds launch from 0 to 60 MPH. This is not impressive and definitely not what you would expect from the company that brought us the 350Z and 240SX. At least Nissan was able to keep their tradition of having more horsepower than their in class competitors on almost all occasions.
The Toyota Yaris is the nice guy in the equation, with the highest fuel economy and lowest MSRP of the group, $12,650. The 34/39 fuel economy is the highest of the bunch but the 106 horsepower is also the lowest in the test.
The Yaris performance is the middle of the road, at least for this test, with a less-than frantic romp to 60 MPH in 10.4 seconds. It's faster than the Fit but slower than the Versa by a whole second. The Yaris has never been or will ever be a sports car. The Yaris is made by Toyota, so expect great fuel economy and a car that will live as long as you will.
Neither of the micro cars tested can be seen as striped interior, race-ready, super-handling tuned up sports cars, I am a sports car fan, but for those of you who have common sense and a tight wallet when it comes to gas, one of these cars are for you.
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