What would you consider the perfect hatchback for performance with decent mpg?

(2011-01-08 22:05:06)

1. Car Enthusiast Says: The Honda Fit is good on gas but slow!!
The Subaru Impreza STI hatchback is fast but not very good on gas at all.

I am just curious what other think would be a perfect combination....

Golf TDI? Mazdaspeed3? Impreza WRX? Matrix...etc.

Lets face it the WRX is close to perfect but I am guessing there is something close(performance wise) that gets better MPG because it is 2WD...

2. Ms Elaine Eouse Says: 1991 Honda CRX

40mpg @ 45mph and also @ 120mph.

3. golgafrincham Says: The Honda Fit is just as fast as any other car, given that speed limits are well below its performance window. It may not be *quick* in a quarter mile, but if you are after good MPG, then quick shouldn't really be part of your criteria. I am guessing you haven't actually driven a Fit yet. Go give one a test drive before calling it "slow," I expect you will be pleasantly surprised.

Regarding the VW TDI, two things to consider. First, the American version with the clean diesel does not get as good mileage as it did before clean diesel, so it gets very comparable MPG to the Fit, and the extra power will only tempt you to drive aggressively, further eroding your fuel efficiency. Second, Consumer Reports give VW gas engines very high reliability ratings, but VW diesel engines average to worse than average reliability.

4. Hank Scorpio Says: Depends on your definition of "good on gas". If you wanted better gas mileage with decent performance you'd need a supercharged 4 cylinder wagon...no one makes one (that I know of).

5. boy_who_eats Says: Ford Focus SVT or if you have the $$ wait for the 2011 Focus RS. It's badass.

http://www.zcars.com.au/images/2011-ford-focus-rs5001.jpg