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2019 Nissan Versa Note vs 2019 Honda Fit

The days when compact hatchbacks were the poor relations of the car family are long gone. Today's hatchbacks offer a combination of responsive handling, high fuel economy, and a surprising amount of space - and all at a highly attractive price.

Within this competitive sector, the 2019 Versa Note has outsold the new Honda Fit by two to one in recent years. Do the 2019 models have the features to continue this successful trend?

2019-Nissan-Versa-Note-vs-2019-Honda-Fit-Calgary

Base Price

2019 Nissan Versa Note 2019 Honda Fit
$14,698 $15,590

A low entry price is an important selling point with compact hatchbacks, and with a starting price of nearly $900 lower than the Fit, the Versa Note is a clear winner on this score.

Engine and Transmission

2019 Nissan Versa Note 2019 Honda Fit
Engine 1.6L Inline-4 1.5L 4-cylinder
Transmission 5-speed manual with overdrive 6-speed manual
Fuel Economy - City 7.6L/100km 8.1L/100km
Fuel Economy - Highway 6.6L/100km 6.6L/100km

The two cars are evenly matched for highway fuel consumption. But a compact hatchback is built for city driving, and on this, the Nissan scores much better. This is despite the slightly higher engine capacity, which leaves plenty of power in reserve on city streets.

Interior Space

One of the great appeals of hatchbacks is their compact and space-saving form. However, with the Versa Note, this doesn't need to mean a tight fit for passengers, particularly with its spacious rear seat.

Nissan Versa Note Honda Fit
Front Headroom 1,037mm 1,003mm
Rear Headroom 964mm 953mm
Rear Hip Room 1,238mm 1,145mm

Added to this, with the rear seat up the Versa Note has a solid advantage on standard cargo space even when fully loaded with passengers.

2019-Nissan-Versa-Note-vs-2019-Honda-Fit-interior-comparison

Nissan Versa Note Honda Fit
Standard Interior Cargo Volume 532L 470L

Considering these generous internal dimensions for a hatchback, it's clear to see why Nissan says 'Versa' stands for 'Versatile Space'.

Safety and Stability Features

Both cars are rated with 5-stars throughout by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's impact tests. The two models also share most, but not all, of the following important safety features.

Nissan Versa Note  Honda Fit
Driver and Passenger Frontal Airbags  Yes  Yes
Side Impact Airbags  Yes  Yes
Overhead Airbag  Yes  Yes
Four-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)  Yes  Yes
Traction Control  Yes  Yes
Integrated Tire Pressure Sensors  Yes  --
Rear Suspension Stabilizer Bar  Yes  --
Panic Alarm  --  Yes

Standard Manufacturer's Warranty

There's little to choose from between the main vehicle warranty of either car. However, Nissan takes the lead thanks to the valuable bonus of 36 months roadside assistance with unlimited distance allowance.

Nissan Versa Note Honda Fit
Standard Warranty 3 years or 60,000km, plus roadside assistance (unlimited distance) 3 years or 60,000km

In the battle of the entry-level hatchbacks, which of these models comes out the winner? With a combination of a low base price, high fuel economy, good performance, and comfortable driving, it's hard to find fault with the 2019 Nissan Versa Note.

To test drive the 2019 Nissan Versa Note in Calgary, or to ask for more information, please contact us by email or telephone.