2007 Honda Fit in Alhambra, California

Subcompact cars are not the penalty boxes they once were. A raft of totally models brings comfort and happy motoring at bargain prices. Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Chevrolet have launched new subcompacts for 2007, while Kia and Hyundai barely beat them to the party with new models for 2006. They come with wacky names like Fit, Yaris, Versa, Aveo, Rio and Accent. For the most part, they're all delightful, get excellent gas mileage, offer comfortable, reliable transportation, and are highly space efficient. There's not a bad one in the bunch.

The Honda Fit distinguishes itself with agile handling, zippy performance, and impressive practicality. A four-door hatchback, the Fit is amazingly comfortable, given its dimensions, even in the back seats. It's a particularly pleasant car for running errands. It's easy to get in and out. It's easy to park. It does indeed fit, just about anywhere.

Perfect for the big city, at home in the suburbs, the Honda Fit offers a smooth ride on bumpy streets and easy manueverability. The five-speed manual is smooth and easy to shift, while the five-speed automatic has paddle shifters, useful when you feel like Rubens Barrichello driving flat out through Eau Rouge. The 1.5-liter engine features Honda's VTEC techonology, giving it a free-revving 109 horsepower, while achieving an EPA-estimated 33/38 mpg City/Highway.