2011 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards: Economy Car

AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) are based on 73,000 surveys completed by owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States in the first half of 2011.

Traditionally viewed as being the bottom of the barrel due to them being the smallest cars on the market, the Economy Car segment has turned around as more  entries come to market.  Some can be had with leather, heated seats, or even navigation systems.  Safety is no longer optional in a small vehicle like the Hyundai Accent or Honda Fit.  These vehicles often have the lowest MSRP for an automaker but increasingly provide great value to the consumer.

This year's AutoPacific IVA Economy Car winner is the 2010 Honda Fit.

Read on to see the entire list of category candidates and how they scored.

*NOTE: Results for 2010 Model Year Vehicles are Included in the 2011 Model Year Research Because of Availability. Scores Are Shown Where Sample Sizes Allow

#1 Economy Car: Honda Fit (2010)

Rank: #1

Score: 1207

The 2010 Honda Fit is a 4-door, 5-seat Hatchback, available in 5 trims, ranging from the Base (M5) to the Sport With Navigation (A5). Upon introduction, the $15,100 Base (M5) is equipped with a standard 1.5L, 4-cylinder, engine that achieves 27-mpg in the city and 33-mpg on the highway. a Manual transmission is standard. The $19,240 Sport With Navigation (A5) is equipped with a standard 1.5L, 4-cylinder, engine that achieves 27-mpg in the city and 33-mpg on the highway. an Automatic transmission is standard.

#2 Economy Car: Kia Rio (2010)

Rank: #2

Score: 1182

The 2010 Kia Rio compact sedan (and the Rio5 hatchback) does one thing very well: provide basic, inexpensive daily transportation. Low on features and frills, the Rio appeals to shoppers interested in its cut-rate MSRP and 10 year warranty, the latter giving it one of the best factory guarantees in the business.

#3 Economy Car: Scion xD (2010)

Rank: #3

Score: 1158

The 2010 Scion xD’s chunky looks are an indicator that Scion has paid more than token attention to the subcompact hatchback’s styling. The xD also benefits from the same level of factory customization options found on other, pricier Scion models, which puts it on the radar of drivers who want to give their car a more personal touch.

#4 Economy Car: Hyundai Accent (2010)

Rank: #4

Score: 1140

The 2010 Hyundai Accent also offers a great warranty, but moving beyond that both the hatchback and sedan editions of the entry-level car come with a longer list of standard equipment than might be expected, as well as a comfortable ride. The vehicle’s four-cylinder power isn’t overwhelming, but the Accent never feels out of its league when accelerating through urban or highway traffic.

#5 Economy Car: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Rank: #5

Score: 1134

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is part of a rising tide of subcompact automobiles that shirk the lackluster reputation that has dogged this particular segment by providing a legitimately engaging driving experience. Still affordable, the Fiesta hatchback and sedan come with solid fuel economy, an eye-catching design and a breadth of features availability that would have been unheard of even a few short years ago.

#6 Economy Car: 2011 Mazda MAZDA2

Rank: #6

Score: 1134

The 2011 Mazda MAZDA2 is a little more driver-focused than the Fiesta with which it shares its platform, but unfortunately, the overall impression given off by the subcompact isn’t as positive. Hatchback-only, the MAZDA2 doesn’t dazzle with equipment, nor does it feel as comfortable or as quiet as its Blue Oval cousin.

#7 Economy Car: Toyota Yaris (2010)

Rank: #7

Score: 1103

The 2010 Toyota Yaris hatchback and sedan offer all of the Japanese brand’s reliability and build quality, and the vehicle is quite reasonably priced. Unfortunately, the Yaris has been caught flat-footed by a number of more interesting subcompact options, making it a practical but uninspired choice as an entry-level runabout.

#8 Economy Car: 2011 Nissan Versa

Rank: #8

Score: 1097

The 2011 Nissan Versa is surprisingly spacious, relatively cheap to buy and comes in both sedan and practical hatchback editions. Nothing about the Versa stands out, however –it gets you where you want to go, but you’ll never look back at the subcompact longingly as you walk away from its parking spot.

#9 Economy Car: 2011 Chevrolet Aveo

Rank: #9

Score: 1086

The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo holds up the bottom of this list, largely due to its basement-level performance and lackluster design and features availability. The best thing that can be said about the Aveo hatchback or Aveo sedan is that each model gets good gas mileage. In every other category, however, the Aveo is outclassed by the competition.