I'm looking at a hatchback for a first-time car, given my age and the entry into my chosen profession, and the Suzuki SX4 is my top-of-the-line pick at the moment, going against the Kia Rio5 and the Chevrolet Aveo5 (all 2010 models).
I've looked at the majority of the hatches that others have suggested it against, but I'm more in the mind that it should be comparable to the Subaru or the VolksWagen -- the Honda Fit was just a disaster waiting to happen (if you're female that is, which I am)! Let's be honest here -- I need to see everything about my car because otherwise I can't tell the spatial difference between where my car ends and gee, where that curb begins...
The Honda Fit had NO front. It disappeared off the radar and would make it impossible to drive (albeit, it had really, really comfy seats). The Chevy Aveo5 also has this problem; I sat in a black model and the front disappeared into the wind shield wipers. The Suzuki SX4 doesn't have that problem, which is a huuuuuuuugge plus for me. Also, comfy seats, and what I think someone else wrote here already, their female partner likes having the height of the seats. It's a definite plus, making it easy for me to see what I need to see and where I need to go.
Sure, another car might do the same... but the SX4 does have the items I want out of a first-time car: the sound system, the heated seats, the cruise control, the luggage space (and no donut!!), the folding seats, the easy-to-read dash, the comfort. I can't say anything about the drive yet, but from a visual aesthetic, I sincerely like the car over the others I've seen and discounted immediately (Nissan Versa, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Pontiac Vibe, Honda Fit, Subaru Impreza).
(also: my mum drives a Sidekick and we don't have too many problems with it -- and it's running nicely still 15 years on!)
For one person, I don't need all the space that the other cars are compared to. Will it hold luggage for when friends come to visit and need an airport pickup? Yes. Will it hold all my students' classwork and projects that I need to mark? Yes. Can I buy lots and lots when I go on a shopping spree? Yes. Will it blast my CDs and iPod when I need to listen to music? Yes.
Well. I'm sold.