Subcompact sales fail to impress; Ford Fiesta and Chevy Aveo selling similarly
Noted and edited.
01-27-11, 07:03 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
In my review of the Fiesta, I also wasn't impressed with its interior-materials quality and the very tight rear-seat room and cargo area.......forget carrying any real adults in back with either the hatchback or sedan. The twin-clutch automanual transmission version also had a noticeable driveline surge/rubber-banding on acceleration, though it was hard to tell whether it was in the transmission's characteristics or a very lean, surge-prone fuel mixture (possibly) required for that high 40-MPG rating without a diesel or hybrid.
However, that's not to say that the Fiesta is a piece of junk, or a sub-standard vehicle....far from it. It has a number of good points to it, and, of course, a relatively low price that will make it affordable to a lot of people.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-27-11 at 07:07 PM.
01-27-11, 07:24 PM
#18
Recovering Lexus Addict
My theory is that subcompact cars are mainly bought by young people and, given the struggling economy, there are few young people buying new cars. It would be interesting to see the breakdown by age ranges of new car buyers in a month.
01-27-11, 07:36 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
That, and perhaps some older retired people on fixed incomes. Not every senior-citizen can afford a high-level Buick or Cadillac....that is a long-held stereotype.
One thing, though, that does drive the sale of larger, heavier cars to older people (and this is not stereotype, but fact). The Defensive-Driving instructors in the classes that many of these senior-citizens take emphasize the role of weight and vehicle-size in crash protection........they often encourage the the people they teach to buy full-size cars. And, of course, many older people like the generally smoother rides that, all else equal, bigger and longer-wheelbase cars provide.
One thing, though, that does drive the sale of larger, heavier cars to older people (and this is not stereotype, but fact). The Defensive-Driving instructors in the classes that many of these senior-citizens take emphasize the role of weight and vehicle-size in crash protection........they often encourage the the people they teach to buy full-size cars. And, of course, many older people like the generally smoother rides that, all else equal, bigger and longer-wheelbase cars provide.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-27-11 at 07:43 PM.
01-28-11, 08:47 AM
#20
I was a big fan of the Fiesta until recently when I spent some time with it at the autoshow.
I still like it for style and efficiency but there's a major problem that I think is the sales killer here in the US. Its interior space, or lack thereof.
The Fit and Versa are huge inside - the Versa's interior is actually classified as midsize and it's a sub-compact. The Fit's cargo space looks like an SUV but with a nice deep floor. And the Yaris is Just as roomy as a Corolla. The Japanese are genius space makers.
If you're an adult, forget about riding in the back of the Fiesta. It's a neck breaking procedure getting in. Even the front is cramped.
I still like it for style and efficiency but there's a major problem that I think is the sales killer here in the US. Its interior space, or lack thereof.
The Fit and Versa are huge inside - the Versa's interior is actually classified as midsize and it's a sub-compact. The Fit's cargo space looks like an SUV but with a nice deep floor. And the Yaris is Just as roomy as a Corolla. The Japanese are genius space makers.
If you're an adult, forget about riding in the back of the Fiesta. It's a neck breaking procedure getting in. Even the front is cramped.
... I always tell my friends, it's just a coupe with 4 doors! 
01-28-11, 10:40 AM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
, but IS is rated as subcompact based on interior volume, I also view it as a 4 door coupe with easy entry/exit.
01-28-11, 10:45 AM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
And I'm not sure that gas prices alone are really an issue here. The Fiesta, for example, gets 40 MPG on the road, but one can walk right down to the other end of the Ford showroom and look at the Fusion Hybrid, which gets 41 MPG on the road, and is a far bigger, more comfortable car, with a LOT more space inside. Granted, the Fusion Hybrid costs more, and has a more complex hybrid drivetrain, but some of that initial expense is returned in the tax-credits given alternate-fuel vehicles, and in many areas of the country, hybrids have HOV-priviledges for commuters and carpools as well.
01-29-11, 09:58 AM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
But, remember, interior volume measurments alone don't necessarily tell you much....a lot depends on how that volume is designed and packaged. A vehicle can use its available interior volume very efficiently, like the Honda Fit, Honda Element, Scion xB, Kia Soul, Toyota Matrix, and many square-bodied SUVs, or it can use that volume very inefficiently, like the Mercedes CLS, VW CC, and a number of sports cars.
While there are a number of factors involved (like hybrid battery-packs, for example), in general, the closer a vehicle comes to classic shoe-box styling, the more space-efficient it will be inside.
01-31-11, 08:03 PM
#25
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My roomate got a Fit...it is not a good car. But he's happy, so I'll keep my mouth shut. The Fit is $2k more expensive than the Fiesta sedan...which the whole point of him getting a small car was for the mileage...so he got the more expensive of the two. The one that gets fewer MPGs. And the one with less HP....It makes no sense!!!!!
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