2009 Car of the Year: Small Car Over $18,000

When it comes to the showroom floor, the most important vehicles at TestFest are the entry-level cars – the ones that shuttle you around every day, at a price most buyers can afford.

Both of the Small Car categories had just three entrants, all of them makeovers of existing vehicles, and in the over-$18,000 category, two of them are siblings: the Toyota Matrix and the Pontiac Vibe are the same basic vehicle, derived from the Toyota Corolla, with trim and features differing by manufacturer. The Honda Fit is now in its second generation in Canada, but it's been sold as the Jazz in other markets worldwide since 2001.

All are four-door hatchbacks, historically more popular in Canada than in the U.S.; besides looking sportier, they make the most of the cars' compact footprints, providing extra cargo room without sacrificing passenger space.

All tested are four-cylinders, and were equipped with optional automatic transmissions; the Vibe and Matrix use a four-speed autobox, while the Fit is a five-speed. This helps to give the Honda the best fuel rating, at 7.1/5.5 L/100 km in city/highway driving, next to the Vibe's 8.0/6.2 and Matrix's 8.1/6.2.

Safety features are now a huge selling point; all three have six airbags and active front head restraints, which help protect against whiplash. All three have anti-lock brakes (four-wheel discs on Vibe and Matrix, discs and drums on Fit), and the Matrix and Fit include electronic brake force distribution, which varies the force applied to each wheel to bring the vehicle to a straight stop.

The Matrix also includes brake assist, which determines if you're making a panic stop and activates extra pressure, since most motorists don't slam the brakes hard enough to be effective. Braking distances were similar: from 100 km/h, the Vibe took 41.7 m, the Fit 42.0 and the Matrix 42.6.

Unique among the three, the Vibe includes standard electronic stability control and traction control; it's optional on Matrix and unavailable on Fit.

Warranty-wise, all are covered bumper-to-bumper for three years or 60,000 km; powertrain coverage on the Matrix and Fit is five years or 100,000 km, while the Vibe is five years or 160,000 km.

Honda Fit

While it still uses a 1.5 L four-cylinder as it did in 2008, it's revised to produce more power (117 hp, 106 lb.-ft. of torque) but with virtually the same fuel economy. That's less power than the competitors, but it's also up to 139 kg lighter. New styling gives a sportier look, including larger wheels. The model tested was the top-end Sport, with standard a/c, power windows and locks with keyless entry, six-speaker stereo with auxiliary and USB inputs, and fog lights. Of the three, it's got the sharpest handling, but it also has a harsher, noisier ride. The handy rear "Magic Seat," which folds down or up for impressive cargo room, including up to 126 cm of height, now dives flat with a single one-handed operation.

Price as tested: $20,659

Toyota Matrix

Built in Ontario, the Matrix shares its 132-hp 1.8 L engine with the Vibe. The as-tested price includes an optional package of a/c, power windows, power locks with keyless entry and tire pressure monitoring system. An additional package of alloy wheels, cruise control, fog lamps and spoiler is available, but stability control can't be added to the tested base model; while they share the vehicle, Toyota and GM are still competitors, and so the cars can't be optioned identically. The Matrix offers a 2.4 L and AWD as well. Exterior styling differs somewhat from the Vibe, but both have a wide C-pillar that cuts down on visibility.

Price as tested: $19,460

Winner: Pontiac Vibe

Built in California, the Vibe uses a 1.8 L engine that's also more powerful than in 2008, making 132 hp and 128 lb.-ft. of torque. (A 2.4 L is available, as is all-wheel drive.) The options in the as-tested price include the automatic transmission, and an SE package that adds a/c, power locks with keyless entry, power windows and cruise control (the only one of the three tested with cruise). It also comes standard with GM's OnStar. Despite its relationship to the Matrix – the interiors are virtually identical – I thought the Vibe was a quieter car to drive. A rear cargo organizer, a $185 option, pops out of the floor to keep items under control.

Price as tested: $20,405

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