Comparison Test: 2015 Honda Fit vs 2015 Nissan Versa Note

Driving

OK, I’ll get it right out there to start. I understand full well what continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs) are all about, but that doesn’t mean I like them, in particular. They’re good on gas, I’ll give them that, but they tend to rob some (all?) of the excitement (involvement… whatever) from the driving experience. With little cars like this, well, you want to delve into their fun-to-drive elements from time to time.

The Nissan is the CVT vet, here, in that it uses a type of transmission that has been used in Nissan products since the early ‘90s. More recently, the previous-generation Versa used it, while this is the first time we’ve seen Honda’s adaptation of the tech in the Fit.

Having said that, as similar as they look, the two cars do display distinctive variations in the drive.

2015 Honda Fit EX. Click image to enlarge

For starters, the Fit is equipped with wheel-mounted paddle shifters, meaning you can “swap” cogs on your own; in fact, what you’re doing is choosing from a set of predetermined virtual ratios, that help make it feel like you’re actually shifting gears. Nissan doesn’t provide the Note with these at any trim level, even our SR tester, which is supposed to be the sporty trim of the four available. It’s a strange choice, especially considering that Nissan has this tech on other cars in the lineup, and it works rather well there.

Then again, maybe it’s not as strange as it may seem at first blush.

You see, the Note is actually more refined in its drive than the Fit is. Remember: Honda takes pride in building sporty cars, and some of that rambunctious DNA has rubbed off on the little Fit.

The Note is just a little smoother, just a little more relaxed than the Fit is. The engine, while actually boasting a higher redline than the Fit (by no more than 500 rpm, but still), is a little smoother, not quite as spiky in its delivery. Indeed, it does a good job of advertising that other CVT quality, and that’s a smooth, linear power delivery.

2015 Nissan Versa Note SR. Click image to enlarge

What the Honda may lack in refinement, however, it makes up for with power. Its 1.5L I4 is good for 130 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque while the Nissan’s larger, 1.6L lump makes 109 hp and 107 lb-ft. That’s a pretty large gap considering how similarly priced the two cars are, and the Fit feels downright sporty compared to the Note.

The two cars’ corner manners revisit a similar theme; the Fit positively dives into the bends, while the Note displays just a little more body roll and squishiness. Add those paddle shifters, which come as standard on both the EX and EX-L Navi trim levels, and the Fit has the performance game wrapped up. Sounds a little meatier, too.