Topic: CanadianDriver announces its Top Picks for 2011!

[PlanB]

I can live with that. 

Funny, I do not recall anyone at C/D, or this board for that matter, caring whether you can live with it or not.
 

Hard to find any merit to this contribution, but thanks for trying.  Don't you need to go drive some cars - y'know, to justify your continued participation here?

Jaeger

Why drive cars when one can just read american magaines like you do and get all the relevant information that way?

[Jaeger]

Why drive cars when one can just read american magaines like you do and get all the relevant information that way?

I read both American and Canadian publications.  Did you have a point?  I mean, beyond the absurd suggestion that no-one who hasn't driven every car on this list should be permitted to comment on it?

Jaeger

[Ex-airbalancer]

Has anyone driven the Sonata Hybrid?

[CatsEye68]

Has anyone driven the Sonata Hybrid?

No, but Jaeger will tell you that it beats all comers according to the spec sheet. He's very well-read.

[Jaeger]

Has anyone driven the Sonata Hybrid?

No, but Jaeger will tell you that it beats all comers according to the spec sheet. He's very well-read.

Wrong again.  But hey - glad to see the season isn't getting in the way of your petty sniping.  I'm not much interested in hybrids regardless of make - so I won't be telling him anything about that version of the Sonata.

Did you have a contribution to make to the subject matter of the thread?  No?  What a surprise. 

Jaeger

[dirtyjeffer]

We get it, you and MSN autos do not like the Fiesta.  I'd put money on it winning car of the YEAR, yup I said it.  I think the Fiesta will win car of the year.

i don't really see much wrong with the list, although it's too bad the new Elantra wasn't out in time as it would certainly have made the compact list more interesting...but i don't really see what all the fuss over the new Fiesta is about...and yes, i have driven one...is it a good car??...sure, it is decent, but certainly IMO, nothing in the way of CoTY worthy...the car was small (look at it from the rear, it looks like it was put in a crusher and squished about a foot), but small isn't always "bad"...as others have said, the Fit is small, but makes very good use of its space...power seemed adequate for the class, but the model i drove was $23k...it wasn't worth $23k...you can get an Elantra Limited for that money, which will beat it on just about everything - space, power, features, warranty and probably fuel economy (or certainly pretty close)...don't get me wrong, i think the Fiesta should be on the list, because it is good, i just don't think it is CoTY material...contender, definitely...short list, absolutely...but i wouldn't buy one, with my own money...a buddy of mine took delivery of his Cruze a few weeks ago and loves it, as i thought he would.

[Dante]

As stated in the begining of the article, this is the CanadianDriver.com list. Period.
The list includes what they like.

Based on what? Who gives them loaners to try out more often?

Based on their own assessment, just like any other auto media outlet. All media outlets use loaners from manufacturers for reviews.

[CatsEye68]

Has anyone driven the Sonata Hybrid?

No, but Jaeger will tell you that it beats all comers according to the spec sheet. He's very well-read.

Wrong again.  But hey - glad to see the season isn't getting in the way of your petty sniping.  I'm not much interested in hybrids regardless of make - so I won't be telling him anything about that version of the Sonata.

Did you have a contribution to make to the subject matter of the thread?  No?  What a surprise. 

And Merry Christmas to you too, Meester Jaeger. I got you some magazine subscriptions.

[kicker]

New poster ,late to the game here for this review ,Merry Christmas .
Nice list , but being only interested in owning an upcoming sporty subcompact or compact
with a d.i motor from either Hyundai (Kia), Mazda, Ford,Toyota or maybe from Honda ( if they can dig up that old time Honda magic ) I'll have to wait awhile yet .
It looks like 2012 or later before i can buy .
2012 will be a great year for cars .
 Looking forward to the upcoming Jan car show pics ! Hope the Velostar isen't too ugly . The turbo version sounds like alot of fun if they can keep the weight down . 
Been reading posts for about 8 months , figured its time to get my feet wet ! I've gotten to know some of you through your posts . cheers .

[canuck901]

the honda fit redefined the subcompact segment...ford is 2 yrs late...and with a Made in Mexico version.
anyone that compares a 2011 fit to a 2011 fiesta knows the Honda fit is years ahead of the fiesta.

canadiandriver getting sponsorship funds from ford? that might be a hint.

how many TV commercials do we see on a Honda fit...how many for a fiesta?  Honda sells on reputation and word of mouth...ford sells on advertising..

merry christmas all!

[kicker]

Quote from Michael Vaughan's Report Card

A +

Ford: Alan Mulally has Ford firing on all cylinders and for their new small cars that's four. Yes, suddenly they're building good small cars again while their pickup truck dominance continues into its 32nd straight year. This will go into the history books as one of the greatest corporate turnarounds ever.

D

Honda: Yes, with discounts they can still sell loads of Civics but Honda not too long ago was the most innovative and admired of automakers. Design is definitely a problem, especially on the Acura side of the house. The CR-Z two-seat sport hybrid coupe was my least favourite car of the year. Well, there's a new Civic coming; maybe that will be the beginning of the turnaround.

[greengs]

Honda fit...made in Japan, Ford Fiesta...made in Mexico...enough said
the ford is not as well finished...plus it's a lot slower then the honda fit.

does canadiandriver actually test or compare cars or just look at pictures?

MT latest comparo
Fiesta 0-60: 9.5s, 1/4 mile 17.4@79.2mph
Fit 0-60: 10.2s, 1/4 mile 17.6@76.7mph

Seems like the Fit is the slower one.

The list should just have the entire Hyundai/Kia lineup, that would make everyone happy

[Jaeger]

MT latest comparo
Fiesta 0-60: 9.5s, 1/4 mile 17.4@79.2mph
Fit 0-60: 10.2s, 1/4 mile 17.6@76.7mph
Seems like the Fit is the slower one.

Since you seem to be missing the forest for the trees, that MT comparo you reference picked the Fit as the overall winner over the supposedly segment-destroying Fiesta.

And if 0-60 is what matters most to you, when Car and Driver ran their comparison, the results in the 0-60 were:

Fit: 8.3 sec

Mazda 2: 9.1

Fiesta: 10.1

Ouch - nearly 2 seconds off the pace for the Ford.  Oh, and they, too, Picked the Fit as the overall winner.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/10q3/2011_ford_fiesta_vs._2010_honda_fit_2011_mazda_2-comparison_tests/2010_honda_fit_sport_page_4

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I've never seen anyone else replicate the 8.3 second 0-60 that C&D got for the Fit. Everyone else has gotten somewhere between 9.0 and 10 sec.

The only numbers you will see on ads in this class are fuel economy numbers. In that regard the Fiesta does pretty well.

[greengs]

MT latest comparo
Fiesta 0-60: 9.5s, 1/4 mile 17.4@79.2mph
Fit 0-60: 10.2s, 1/4 mile 17.6@76.7mph
Seems like the Fit is the slower one.

Since you seem to be missing the forest for the trees, that MT comparo you reference picked the Fit as the overall winner over the supposedly segment-destroying Fiesta.

And if 0-60 is what matters most to you, when Car and Driver ran their comparison, the results in the 0-60 were:

Fit: 8.3 sec

Mazda 2: 9.1

Fiesta: 10.1

Ouch - nearly 2 seconds off the pace for the Ford.  Oh, and they, too, Picked the Fit as the overall winner.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/10q3/2011_ford_fiesta_vs._2010_honda_fit_2011_mazda_2-comparison_tests/2010_honda_fit_sport_page_4

I never said anything about what car is better.  Was just responding to the claim the Fit was much faster.  They used automatics which I assume is how most of these cars are sold.  The C&D test used manuals so that's probably where the difference is.  

 

[Seafoam]

Okay why are we even discussing the Honda Fit in its present design?It was introduced in the fall of 2008 as a 2009 model. It shouldn't be a top pick for 2011,even though it is still competitive.
Another thread going off the rails.

[canuck901]

the point is the canadiandriver rating is a bunch of crap.
although the fiesta is a neat lil car, it is no comparison to the honda fit...which was made 3 yrs ago..and is still a far better overall car
thats the point of this.........
how can the fiesta be car of the year...when it' comes behind the honda fit and the mazda 2 in the tests? 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

the point is the canadiandriver rating is a bunch of crap.
although the fiesta is a neat lil car, it is no comparison to the honda fit...which was made 3 yrs ago..and is still a far better overall car
thats the point of this.........
how can the fiesta be car of the year...when it' comes behind the honda fit and the mazda 2 in the tests? 

Maybe because the world isn't black and white?

Most tests have the Fit as being a bit quicker with the manual transmission (a draw or slower with the autobox), and it does have a more practical interior. However, the Fiesta has a nicer interior, it's very quiet for the class, has the best fuel EPA economy numbers, and is available with high end features like leather seats and Sync.

Supposedly, this year the Fiesta ST will be released with an Ecoboost motor, for those looking for quicker 0-60 times and sportier handling.

As far as Mexican assembly is involved, the most reliable mid sized sedan is assembled in Mexico ie the Fusion.

[Jaeger]

Okay why are we even discussing the Honda Fit in its present design?It was introduced in the fall of 2008 as a 2009 model. It shouldn't be a top pick for 2011,even though it is still competitive.

The Canadian Driver list was NOT restricted to 2011 models only.  And some rather prominent publications thought the Fit was considerably better than "still competitive", even if this one didn't.  Discussion of a "best" list inherently involves a discussion of vehicles some think shouldn't have been included and of vehicles some think shouldn't have been excluded.  I'm not really sure where your objection lies.

Jaeger

[kicker]

The thing that caught my eye about the Feista compared to the Fit is the Fiesta was better handling , had less body roll and was quieter inside . Cargo space does not interest me which the Fit excells at . The feista gets better mileage and if it had come with a d.i motor and it's automatic was not geared to max mileage , I would have test driven one for sure . Since I'm not a cargo guy and don't like the mini van looks , I ruled out the Fit years ago . Its still a good car , just not for me .
But this 8. something seconds to 60 for a subcompact is obviously a misprint or they are doing something to Honda they could get arrested for in washrooms for .