Comparison Test: Subcompact Cars

Tested December 2014 by Lesley Wimbush, Jacob Black, Jeff Wilson and Jonathan Yarkony. Updated September 2026.

Photos by Jeff Wilson and Jonathan Yarkony

Our 2014 subcompact car comparison test crowned the Nissan Versa Note, just ahead of the Honda Fit, after two snowy days around Toronto. Twelve years later, none of the six hatchbacks we tested is sold new in Canada, so this is now a used-car guide.

Key Takeaways

• The Nissan Versa Note won our 2014 subcompact comparison test, narrowly beating the Honda Fit on value, space and ease of use in snow.
• None of the six cars we tested is sold new today, so the test now works as a used-car buying guide.
• The Hyundai Venue is Canada’s cheapest new vehicle for 2026 at $24,049 including delivery, per AutoTrader pricing.
• Check any used subcompact for recalls first; Transport Canada says more than one in five vehicles on Canadian roads has an unresolved recall.

How We Selected the Cars for This Subcompact Car Comparison

Lesley Wimbush put it best: “the holy trinity of fuel consumption, price, and cargo ability”. We still judge entry-level cars that way.

Six Subcompact Hatchback Contenders in a Toronto Snowstorm

We gathered the 2015 Nissan Versa Note, Honda Fit, Kia Rio5, Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris, plus a 2014 Ford Fiesta, for a two-day test drive. Then winter hit Greater Toronto. One judge never made it past the 401.

The Fit and Rio later took AutoTrader Awards wins, and you’ll find this class in our AutoTrader Awards subcompact car finalists.

Why No Subcompact Sedan Is Sold New in Canada Anymore

Buyers moved to crossovers, and the new subcompact car market dried up. Nissan Canada confirmed the Versa Note would end after 2019. The Versa sedan, one of Canada’s last affordable subcompact cars, hung on longer. Nissan Canada’s discontinued-models page now lists it as discontinued, with the Sentra and Kicks as alternatives.

Quick Comparison of Subcompact Models: Fuel Economy and Features

Model (as tested)	Engine variant	2014 place	NRCan combined	Observed in snow	Best suited for	Inspection point
2015 Nissan Versa Note SR	1.6L four-cylinder, CVT	1st	6.8 L/100 km	9.4 L/100 km	New drivers	CVT service history
2015 Honda Fit EX	1.5L four-cylinder, CVT	2nd	6.4 to 6.8 L/100 km	11.6 L/100 km	Bulky cargo, city parking	CVT, touchscreen
2014 Ford Fiesta SE	1.0L turbo three-cylinder, manual	3rd	6.6 L/100 km	8.4 L/100 km	Drivers who want a manual	Clutch wear
2015 Kia Rio5 LX+	1.6L four-cylinder, 6-speed automatic	4th	7.7 L/100 km	11.5 L/100 km	Value seekers	No rearview camera
2015 Hyundai Accent	1.6L four-cylinder, 6-speed automatic	5th	7.7 L/100 km	11.1 L/100 km	Quiet highway commuting	Rear visibility
2015 Toyota Yaris SE	1.5L four-cylinder, 4-speed automatic	6th	7.3 L/100 km	9.5 L/100 km	Basic transport	No telescoping steering wheel

Top Choices From the 2015 Subcompact Class

1st Place: Nissan Versa Note

“Every dog has its day,” wrote Jacob Black, the only judge who’d picked the Nissan Versa Note going in. It won on livability: ease of entry, rear seat comfort, sightlines, ride quality, and handling. Its 2,665 L of passenger volume was the most spacious here, and it had a backup camera but no heated seats.

Its weak spot was the continuously variable transmission (CVT), which droned under acceleration with just 109 horsepower. Lesley’s verdict: “The CVT is still a big nope for me.”

Our west-coast team got the opposite result in a Honda Fit vs Nissan Versa Note comparison test.

2nd Place: Honda Fit and Its Magic Seat

The Honda Fit earned a perfect score for versatility. Its versatile Magic Seat gave it unmatched cargo flexibility, and Lesley likened the cabin to a TARDIS. The 2015 redesign gave it more rear legroom than a mid-size Accord.

Two handicaps cost it the win: the highest price and all-season tires in a snowstorm. Jacob also hated its touchscreen infotainment. Lesley bet that on equal tires, the Fit would’ve won.

3rd Place: Ford Fiesta and Its Three-Cylinder Turbo

The Ford Fiesta’s 1.0L turbo made the most torque, 125 lb-ft, with the only manual transmission here. It was the most fun to drive in snow, had an excellent driving position, and used the least fuel, 8.4 L/100 km observed. Jeff called its engine note “about as musical as a flatulent squirrel.”

Practicality sank it. Backseat legroom and headroom were scarce, and cargo space was the smallest.

Find Used Subcompact Cars Near You

Filter by model year, kilometres, and price. See which Versa Notes, Fits and Fiestas are listed near you.

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Strengths and Trade-Offs of the Other Small Cars

The bottom three were good, reliable small cars; just outclassed.

4th and 5th Place: Kia Rio5 and Hyundai Accent

The Kia Rio5 and Hyundai Accent shared a wheelbase and a 138-hp 4-cylinder. The Accent remained a model of refinement; Jeff said it felt like “a comfortable pair of slippers.” Fuel efficiency hurt both: 11.5 and 11.1 L/100 km observed.

The Rio5 won on ergonomics, while the Accent, winner of our earlier subcompact hatchback comparison test, slipped on quality and visibility.

6th Place: Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris made just 106 hp. Its size helped maneuverability, yet it had the largest turning circle. “It’s just not enough car in any particular way,” said Jonathan Yarkony. “This will be the choice of those that worship at the church of Toyota reliability.”

Comparing Subcompacts on the Used Market

What Natural Resources Canada Says About Fuel Consumption

NRCan’s ratings are the Canadian standard in L/100 km, and its fuel consumption ratings search tool covers every model year here. The 2014 Fiesta 1.0 manual is rated 6.6 L/100 km combined, and the 2015 Versa Note CVT 6.8. The 2015 Fit CVT is rated 6.4 in base form, but the EX we tested, with its paddle-shift CVT, is rated 6.8.

NRCan classifies cars by interior space, not price. It files the 2015 Accent, Rio and Yaris under Compact and the Fit under Small station wagon. “Subcompact” was always partly a marketing label.

Transport Canada Recalls, Winter Tires and Kilometres

Nissan Canada added more than 111,000 2007 to 2012 Versa models to the Takata airbags recall. Transport Canada’s recall lookup page lets you search by VIN.

Before you buy any used car from this group, check these:

1. Run the VIN through Transport Canada’s database and the manufacturer’s recall lookup.
2. Ask for CVT fluid service records on a Versa Note or Fit.
3. Confirm the car has a matched set of four winter tires, or budget for one.
4. Compare odometer kilometres against the model years and service history.

Who Each Option Suits Now That the Subcompact Segment Is Gone

Prices include the destination fee and come from AutoTrader coverage from January to August 2026.

Replacement	Type	Starting price (incl. delivery)	NRCan combined
Hyundai Venue Essential	Subcompact crossover	$24,049	7.5 L/100 km
Kia K4 LX	Compact sedan	$25,845	7.0 to 7.3 L/100 km (2025 rating)
Toyota Corolla L / Hatchback	Compact sedan/hatchback	$26,280 / $26,580	6.7 / 6.8 L/100 km
Chevrolet Trax 1RS	Subcompact crossover	$29,199	8.1 L/100 km
Nissan Kicks S	Subcompact crossover	$29,248	7.4 L/100 km

Subcompact Crossover Picks: Hyundai Venue, Nissan Kicks and Chevrolet Trax

The Hyundai Venue is the closest heir to the old subcompact hatchback. It’s 4,040 mm long and easy to park, and wireless smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) is standard. See our 2026 Hyundai Venue review.

The Kicks now offers AWD, and the Trax is roomy for the money.

For rankings, see our best subcompact SUVs to buy in 2026.

Compact Car Picks: Toyota Corolla, Kia K4 and Honda Civic

A compact car is now the entry point if you want a car, not a crossover. The Corolla’s hatchback body style keeps the liftgate subcompact fans liked. The Honda Civic, our 2026 AutoTrader Awards Best Small Car, costs more.

The Corolla’s 6.7 L/100 km rating beats the Venue’s 7.5, offering modest fuel savings, and the Corolla hybrid drops to 4.7.

A Used Subcompact Hatchback for New Drivers

A used Versa Note or Fit is still a sensible entry-level car for new drivers and budget-conscious buyers. Both are cheap to fuel in city driving.

Compare Entry-Level Cars Side by Side

Put a Venue, K4, and Corolla side by side. Check trims and Canadian pricing first.

Compare Vehicles

Final Recommendation on Subcompact Vehicles

Shopping new? Skip the hunt for a subcompact car. Buy a Venue for the smallest footprint, or a compact car like the Corolla or K4 for more car per dollar.

The Best Used Subcompact Cars for a Canadian Budget

The Versa Note is easiest to live with, the Fit is most practical and most fuel-efficient on paper, and the Fiesta is the fun one.

Check recalls, and fit winter tires.

See What Your Current Car Is Worth

Trading up from an older small car? Get a free estimate with your VIN or model, trim, and kilometres.

Get My Car’s Value

FAQ About the Best Subcompact Cars

What Is a Subcompact Car?

A subcompact car sits one size below a compact car and is usually a hatchback or sedan, like the Honda Fit or Kia Rio. Sub compact cars are defined by interior volume in NRCan’s ratings, so that class includes coupes; for 2026, it covers 35 models from eight brands.

Can You Still Buy a New Subcompact Car in Canada?

You won’t find a new, affordable subcompact car Canada-wide in 2026. Nissan Canada lists the Versa as discontinued, and none of the 10 cheapest new vehicles on our 2026 list is a subcompact car. The Mini Cooper 3 Door sits in NRCan’s Subcompact class, but it’s premium. Budget buyers now pick a crossover or compact.

What Is the Cheapest New Vehicle in Canada for 2026?

The Hyundai Venue Essential is the least expensive new vehicle in Canada for 2026 at $24,049, including a $2,050 delivery fee, per our most affordable new cars in Canada for 2026 list and our August 2026 Venue review. It’s the first crossover to top that list, and its $21,999 MSRP is still above $20,000.

What Replaced the Nissan Versa?

Nissan Canada points Versa shoppers to the Sentra compact sedan and the Kicks subcompact crossover. The 2026 Sentra S starts at $27,118 including freight, per our January 2026 list. The Kicks S starts at $29,248 including delivery, per our August 2026 review, and it now offers all-wheel drive.

Both cost more than the Versa did.

Is a Subcompact SUV the Same as a Subcompact Car?

No. A subcompact SUV rides higher and often offers all-wheel drive, while a subcompact car is a low hatchback or sedan. The Hyundai Venue is a subcompact SUV aimed at the price the old subcompacts used to cost. NRCan files the 2026 Venue under “Sport utility vehicle: Small,” not under any car class.

Which Car Won AutoTrader’s Subcompact Comparison Test?

The 2015 Nissan Versa Note won our December 2014 test. It narrowly beat the Honda Fit to become the best subcompact car of that test, on value, cabin space, and ease of use in snow.

The Fit was handicapped by all-season tires and the highest price, $22,090 as tested. The Ford Fiesta finished third.

Which Car From the Test Has the Best Fuel Economy?

On NRCan’s combined rating, the base 2015 Honda Fit with the CVT is the most efficient version of any car here, at 6.4 L/100 km. Among the cars we tested, the 2014 Fiesta 1.0 manual leads at 6.6, while our Fit EX and the Versa Note tie at 6.8. On our snowy test day, the Fiesta also used the least fuel, at 8.4 L/100 km observed, while the Fit, spinning on all-seasons, used 11.6.

Is a Hatchback More Practical Than a Sedan With a Trunk?

For bulky cargo, usually yes. A hatchback’s liftgate and split-fold rear seat open the whole cargo area, which is why the Fit and Versa Note topped our cargo scores. Sedans have an enclosed trunk space that limits tall items.

The Fiesta was the exception in our test: its rear seat didn’t fold fully flat.

Are Older Subcompact Cars Safe to Buy Used?

They can be, as long as the recalls are done. Transport Canada estimated in 2025 that more than one in five vehicles on Canadian roads has an unresolved safety recall.

Search the VIN with Transport Canada and the manufacturer before you buy, and ask for proof that recall repairs were done.

Do Subcompact Cars Handle Canadian Winters?

Yes, on the right tires. In our snowstorm test, the Versa Note and Fiesta stayed composed on winter tires. The Fit, the only car on all-seasons, spun its front wheels and used the most fuel.

Front-wheel drive plus four matched winter tires matters more than which small car you pick.

Sources

Accessed September 22, 2026

• AutoTrader:
  • Most Affordable New Cars in Canada: 2026 (Jan. 2026)
  • 2026 Hyundai Venue, Nissan Kicks and Chevrolet Trax reviews (Apr. to Aug. 2026)
• Natural Resources Canada: Fuel Consumption Ratings datasets for 2014 to 2026 (2014 values adjusted to 5-cycle)
• Transport Canada: recall information page; news release, Feb. 10, 2025
• Nissan Canada: discontinued models, Versa