Schomp Honda

Safety

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Fit deploy with different levels of force or don't deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Fit's side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Impreza's side airbags don't have smart features and will always deploy full force.

 

Both the Fit and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Fit is safer than the Impreza 5-door:

	Fit	Impreza
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Head Injury Index	312	443
Chest forces	39 g's	42 g's
Leg injuries (L/R)	148 / 116	334 / 455
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest forces	39 g's	43 g's

More stars indicate a better overall result. Lower numbers indicate better individual test results.

Warranty

 

There are over 71 percent more Honda dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the Fit's warranty.

 

Reliability

 

The camshaft in the Fit's engine is driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The Impreza's camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the Impreza's cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

 

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Fit's reliability will be 11% better than the Subaru Impreza 5-door Outback Sport and 16% better than the Subaru Impreza Sedan.

 

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Fit third among subcompacts in their 2010 Initial Quality Study. The Impreza isn't in the top three in its category.

 

J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 22nd, below the industry average.

 

J.D. Power and Associates' surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 14th.

 

Engine

 

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda Fit is faster than the Subaru Impreza (manual transmissions tested):

	Fit	Impreza
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	8.4 sec

 

Fuel Economy and Range

 

On the EPA test cycle the Fit gets better fuel mileage than the Impreza:

		Fit	Impreza
	Manual	27 city/33 hwy	20 city/27 hwy
	Auto	28 city/35 hwy	20 city/26 hwy
	Sport Auto	27 city/33 hwy	n/a

 

Environmental Friendliness

 

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Fit higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Subaru Impreza (5). This means the Fit produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Impreza every 15,000 miles.

 

The EPA certifies the Honda Fit as an 'Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle' (ULEV). The Subaru Impreza is only certified to 'Low Emissions Vehicle' (LEV) standards.

 

Transmission

 

A five-speed automatic is optional on the Honda Fit, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a four-speed automatic is available for the Impreza.

 

Suspension and Handling

 

The Fit Sport has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Fit Sport flat and controlled during cornering. The Impreza's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

 

Chassis

 

The Honda Fit may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 600 pounds less than the Subaru Impreza.

 

The Fit is 1 foot shorter than the Impreza 5-door, making the Fit easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

 

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Fit Sport is quieter than the Impreza 2.5i 5-door:

	Fit	Impreza
At idle	36 dB	45 dB

 

Passenger Space

 

The Fit has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear legroom than the Impreza.

 

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Fit's rear seats recline. The Impreza's rear seats don't recline.

 

Cargo Capacity

 

The Fit has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat up than the Impreza 5-door with its rear seat up (20.6 vs. 19 cubic feet). The Fit has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat folded than the Impreza 5-door with its rear seat folded (57.3 vs. 44.4 cubic feet).

 

The Fit has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat up than the Impreza Sedan (20.6 vs. 11.3 cubic feet).

 

Servicing Ease

 

A Maintenance Minder is standard on the Fit to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement, tire rotation, radiator flush and transmission fluid replacement based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Subaru doesn't offer a maintenance reminder on the Impreza.

 

Ergonomics

 

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Fit has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Impreza doesn't offer a telescoping steering wheel.

 

The Fit's driver's power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Impreza's power windows' switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

 

With optional voice command, the Fit Sport offers the driver hands free control of the radio, cell phone and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Impreza doesn't offer a voice control system.

 

Economic Advantages

 

Insurance will cost less for the Fit owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Fit will cost $95 to $2250 less than the Impreza over a five-year period.

 

The Fit will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the Fit will retain a greater percentage of its original price after two and four years than the Impreza.

	Fit	Impreza
Four Year	40%	36%
Two Year	59%	53% to 54%

 

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Fit is less expensive to operate than the Impreza because it costs $630 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Fit than the Impreza, including $107 less for a water pump, $101 less for an alternator, $38 less for front brake pads, $102 less for fuel injection, $8 less for a fuel pump, $94 less for front struts and $153 less for a power steering pump.

 

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Fit will be $6739 to $13215 less than for the Subaru Impreza.

 

Recommendations

 

The Honda Fit has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	Fit	Impreza
Consumer Reports Recommends	TRUE	TRUE
Car Book 'Best Bet'	TRUE	FALSE

 

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Fit third among subcompacts in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Impreza isn't in the top three in its category.

 

The Fit was chosen as one of Car and Driver's 'Top Ten' for 4 of the last 4 years. The Impreza hasn't been picked since 2003.

 

The Fit was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine's 'All Stars' in 2009. The Impreza hasn't been picked since 2003.

 

The Honda Fit outsold the Subaru Impreza by 25% during the 2010 model year.

* [1]  Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.