2010 Honda Fit Sport

Pros: Great fuel economy 30-32 mixed, 37-45 highway depending on terrain and speed)
cargo space of a larger car, versatile interior, peppy at city speeds, easy parking, good features for price. Paddle shifters and firm suspension for backroads fun.

Cons: Front legroom is limited, awkward center armrest, hard door armrests, seat fabric is difficult to keep clean, high road noise, seat cushions uncomfortable (spongy, unsupportive, can feel frame through foam)

Summary: It has its downsides, but in a year of ownership I've corrected most of those. The front legroom is limited, but that is something that won't affect 95+% of drivers. The seating position is taller than a typical small car, so it doesn't have that "stretch your legs" feel of a Civic, but rather a more chairlike position. The center armrest is a foam-covered lever mounted to the driver's seat, but Honda offers a console armrest, as well as the aftermarket. I made small cushions for the door armrests, and added aftermarket leather seat-covers, which improved both the ease of keeping the seats clean as well as providing extra padding and a firmer surface. I'm long legged and lanky, so I tend to have my knees raised higher in cars, putting more pressure on my sitting bones.
Small comfort issues that I've corrected (and are subjective to me) are more than outweighed by he benefits. I expect this car to last for at least a decade of daily use with minimal mechanical issues. It is very easy on fuel, has plenty of cargo space the rear seat-bottoms flip up like movie theater seats - I can put my mountain bike across the rear seat with the front wheel removed. There is enough space for four adults, though not for hours on end. My Clazzio seat covers make the front seats incredibly comfortable.
The car measures about 160 inches bumper to bumper, about the same as a classic Volkswagen Beetle. It is easy to park in tiny spaces, and at less than 67 inches wide, can squeeze through narrow gaps. The engine provides decent acceleration around town, though it is only adequate on the highway.

The suspension is firm, and the steering sharp - while the car isn't fast, it makes up for it by being entertaining. Mountain roads are a treat, with sharp reflexes and a manually shiftable automatic with wheel-mounted paddles. After playing the "drive it a few years and trade it" game, I want a good, reliable, cheap to operate car that is still enjoyable to drive and offers high utility. A few minor (and easily correctable) annoyances aside, this car seemed to be the best option to meet these requirements.

2010 Honda Fit Sport Automatic (my first automatic)
13,000 miles, 1 yr ownership (new)
Previous vehicles: 2006 Honda Element, 2003 GMC Sonoma, 2000 Jeep Wrangler.