Fiesta, Fit, Mazda2, Elantra, Cruze... Why did you choose Fiesta?

[WTF]

I'm looking at getting a new car soon and chances are its going to be a compact or sub-compact which gets roughly 30+mpg. My budget is around $20k though I'm not convinced I'd like to spend that much. Here's what I've observed through sources like Motortrend, C&D, R&T, and browsing forums. If you guys/gals could address any of these points I'm about to make I would appreciate it.

- Fit seems to win most reviews (more space, avail nav, paddle shifters)
- Cruze, Elantra look better IMO but are a bit more pricey to get anything good
- Fiesta seems to lack rear passenger space
- The Mazda2 had beat the Fiesta in more camparos

Anyways, I'm just seeing what made you choose the Fiesta over some of the other brand vehicles in the same price range. I'm sure many of you have seen these reviews as well.

Thanks in advance!

[Sel]

I think we've read different reviews. I wasn't considering a Ford product when I started looking -- thought I'd end up in a Mini Countryman or a Civic. But then I saw an awesome Top Gear segment on the Euro Fiesta. It looked so fun! Then I started reading all these reviews calling it best in class and talking about how Ford had come around. Suddenly the Fiesta was a contender, and when I saw all the available options, I was won over. Finally, an economy car that didn't feel cheap, had some luxury to it, and yet still offered outstanding (hybrid like!) fuel economy.

For me, many of the other options in the class were never contenders. Mazdas have the goofy grin, the Fit was a little too cute, the Yaris too compact. The Civic was fine but didn't excite me -- not like the Fiesta did. In the end, I was happy to find a fun, reasonably priced car that offered amenities I hadn't expected at its price point. Couldn't be happier so far.

[Norm201]

For what it's worth, here's my reason for choosing a Fiesta.

1) Older couple with grown children...no need for rear seat room.
2) We have a van that takes care of all our large item hauling and serves the kids needs as well. We also haul a camper with the van.
3) Needed to get rid of a nice smooth riding Grande Marque that used gas like water!
4) Just needed city transportation and occasional long trip transportation.
5) If we were buying a car we wanted the most economical possible.
6) Did a very close comparison to the Nissan Versa. Fiesta and Versa go head to head. All the others are not quite the same.
7) In my opinion the Versa may be a slightly better built car with plenty of rear seat room. And dollar for dollar I think both cars are pretty close.
8) Final decision was the the fact that right now Ford is riding high as a well built product and the Fiesta has curb appeal.

I hate to say it but we bought on how the package looked. My wife fell in love with the car. It's fun to drive and just a hint of sport to it. I wanted the Lime Squeeze but the little woman thought that it would get "old" fast. I think she's wrong, but I like the Blue Flame just as well. From my investigation the Versa might be a little better car for the price and quality but I would definitely been wondering what I might have missed if I did not get the Fiesta. I' have no regrets about the Fiesta and do not "wonder" about the Vesra that might have been.

Get the Fiesta, you won't regret it if you don't need rear seat room.

PS...If KIA had the Spectra as a current model I would've looked very close at it. My daughter has the Spectra Hatch and its one of the best cars we've had in the family for room and economy. She can fit a full size harp in it with room to spare. No other small vehicle could do that.

[offcamber]

My reasons....
No Mazada dealer within 60 miles.. Plus its basically the same car with a smaller engine.
Didn't really like the Fit as much as the Fiesta....couldn't figure out what it wanted to be (paddle shifters? They were sluggish as well) Felt I got more car for the money with the Fiesta. I personally feel NAV is a waist of money, that's just me.
Cruze...GM product...sorry just not supporting that company anymore...Plus local dealer Sucks.
Didn't really look at the Elantra....can't comment on that one.
I also looked a the Corolla (BOOORING)

I have been very happy with my choice...it was the only car that really made me smile.

[ThatDudeMatt37]

because there is nothing better than a ford

[Lunacy]

Sync did it in for me. Also, i love the green and body style.

[illinipo]

seats that were not made only for the morbidly obese (they are actually supportive and have bolsters), the seats in the Fit and Yaris made my back hurt within minutes

available options like heated seats (only available in the Fit otherwise at the top trim level), sync, moonroof

price, a 2 sport is about the same price I paid for my SE with sync, heated seats, moonroof, and cruise control and the base fit is only a little less without any of these. To get a decent Fit you have to go to the $19,000 sport model

Interior materials and build quality are miles ahead of the competition

rear seat room is adequate, I carry around 6 footers back there on a regular basis and they dont complain

blind spot mirrors are VERY nice, I never ever have to turn my head to check the blind spot anymore, I can watch cars go from the center rear view to the side blind spot mirror to the side mirror to my peripheral vision... or vice versa

I could go on but after seeing a LOT of cars at the autoshow last weekend there is no question that I made the right decision.

[BondiBlue]

I was pretty objective going into the test drive in my Fiesta (actually I tested the auto, then dealer located a 5 speed) since I've never previously been a Ford fan. I've loved Nissan for a good while now. I've owned 3 new Nissan vehicles since '04. The reality is that the Fiesta is a lot of bang for the buck. If not for a $2k price difference I'd be driving a Cube.

The Fiesta is cheap to purchase/own and is a very well put together car for this segment. I've said it multiple times before, but this thing kicks the crap out of my wife's Versa in every way except for rear seat room. And mine was about $700 cheaper also getting 8 more mpg on the highway. My car handles well, gets good mileage, accelerates respectably (of course it's no high performance machine) and is nice looking inside and out.

Would I rather have something else? Yes. Would I be willing to pay the price difference at this point in my life? No. Do I regret my decision? Not even a little. This car will serve me very well until I upgrade to something a tad larger or more upscale.

[dirtyblueshirt]

1) Z-plan. So that pretty much sealed me into the Fiesta or Mazda, but I'll elaborate.
2) The Hyundai looks and feels cheap (the model available at the time)
3) While the interior of the Cruze looks fantastic, the sedan is styled for the rental fleet. Plus the cost.
4) The Honda Fit didn't have as may options for the Fiesta's price point, and it looks too much like a little minivan for me. Not to mention, here in SoCal, EVERYONE has a Fit. I wanted people to notice my car (without needing a lime green paint job, sorry guys!)
5) The Mazda 2's interior lacked the refinement of the Fiesta. Smaller Engine. At the time, no satellite radio. Looks like it was built to be cheap, unlike the Fiesta.

[Audrey]

I like the styling of the Fiesta best, but I tried really hard to not let the "ooo shiny!" factor decide for me. It boiled down to what was important for me: less than $20k price tag, style, and MPG.

I actually cross shopped with a Honda Civic, because I don't like the look of most hatchbacks (the Fiesta is an exception). I test drove both and decided that the Civic felt like a boat and the Fiesta felt lithe and nimble. I decided to sacrifice space and proven reliability (the Civic is known for its reliability) for stylishness, the fun to drive factor, and uniqueness. It's not responsible, perhaps, but it's my car and I don't care. I love it!

The Fit looks like mini-mini-van. I just hate the look of it. When I told the Honda saleswoman I wanted to drive a Civic and was also considering the Fiesta, she tried to steer me towards the Fit, but I just couldn't stand the styling.

The Elantra I didn't consider because I don't like the butt of it. Also, I don't know anyone that has a Hyundai, so I don't feel confident about the brand. I value empirical date most.

The Mazda 2's :D grill was an instant turn off and it's even smaller than the Fiesta (I think?), and I really wouldn't want to go any smaller. The car looks like a joke to me, and I read some reviews stating its rather timid to drive and loud inside.

The Cruze has not been announced when I was carshopping (summer 2010). Also, my dad would feel betrayed if I bought a Chevy. He's only had bad luck with them. Again, empirical data (from my dad) would be a big influence here.