We decided to get a hatchback last summer, so we tried out the Versa, Fit, and Rabbit. I liked the Versa and how they fit so much space into such a small car. But I did not like some of the fit & finish. I also did not like how I had to stretch out my arms to drive it. It is in desperate need of a telescopic steering wheel.
I know that a lot of people really like the Fit, but I hated it. Let me first say that I have been a Honda fan/owner for years. But the Fit just felt cheap. It drove like my old 1983 Civic. Combine that with the price, and it was a no go. Too much money for too little car.
We ended up going with the Rabbit. It cost more than the others, but we felt it was worth the extra. The fit & finish/equipment levels are not far off from the last Mercedes we owned. I love the torque in the 5 cylinder (but we do pay for that at the pump). Overall, it just feels like a much more solid car than the other two. It was great to drive this past winter, and the amount of cargo we can carry always impresses.