The Fit has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Fiesta doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

The Fit EX/EX-L has a standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, which uses forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn't react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Fiesta doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Honda Fit has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Fiesta doesn't offer Daytime Running Lights.

The Fit EX/EX-L's lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Fiesta doesn't offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the Fit and the Fiesta have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Fit is safer than the Ford Fiesta:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Honda Fit is safer than the Fiesta Sedan:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Fit is safer than the Ford Fiesta:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Fit's engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Fiesta's camshafts. If the Fiesta's belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Fit's reliability 70 points higher than the Fiesta.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 4 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Fit Auto's standard 1.5 DOHC 4 cyl. produces 8 more horsepower (128 vs. 120) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (113 vs. 112) than the Fiesta's 1.6 DOHC 4 cyl. The Fit's standard 1.5 DOHC 4 cyl. produces 10 more horsepower (130 vs. 120) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (114 vs. 112) than the Fiesta's 1.6 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda Fit (130 HP engine) is faster than the Ford Fiesta (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda Fit (130 HP engine) is faster than the Ford Fiesta (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Fit gets better fuel mileage than the Fiesta:

A six-speed manual is standard on the Honda Fit, with closer gear ratios for better performance and a lower final drive ratio for quieter highway operation, less engine wear and better fuel mileage. Only a five-speed manual is available for the Fiesta.

The Fit Auto has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Fiesta doesn't offer a CVT.

The Fit stops much shorter than the Fiesta:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Fit's wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Fiesta (99.6 inches vs. 98 inches).

The Fit EX handles at .82 G's, while the Fiesta Hatch pulls only .81 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Fit EX executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Fiesta Hatch (27.9 seconds @ .63 average G's vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G's).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Fit EX is quieter than the Fiesta Hatch:

The Fit has 10.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Fiesta (95.7 vs. 85.1).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Fit's rear seats recline. The Fiesta's rear seats don't recline.

The Fit has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Fiesta Hatch with its rear seat up (16.6 vs. 14.9 cubic feet). The Fit has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the Fiesta Hatch with its rear seat folded (52.7 vs. 25.4 cubic feet).

The Fit's standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows are only available on the Fiesta SE/ST-Line.

The Fit's driver power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Fiesta's power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Fit has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Fiesta doesn't offer a locking fuel door.

The Fit has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Fiesta has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/ST-Line.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Fit EX/EX-L detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Fiesta doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

To shield the driver and front passenger's vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Fit EX/EX-L has standard extendable sun visors. The Fiesta doesn't offer extendable visors.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Fit EX/EX-L has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Fiesta doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

Insurance will cost less for the Fit owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Fit will cost $350 less than the Fiesta over a five-year period.

The Fit will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Fit will retain 54.12% to 57.31% of its original price after five years, while the Fiesta only retains 31.77% to 36.69%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Fit is less expensive to operate than the Fiesta because it costs $354 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Fit than the Fiesta, including $213 less for a muffler, $13 less for front brake pads and $5 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Fit will be $2399 to $4248 less than for the Ford Fiesta.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Fit, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Fiesta isn't recommended.

The Fit was chosen as one of Car and Driver's “Top Ten” for 7 of the last 13 years. The Fiesta has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Fit was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine's “All Stars” for 2 of the last 11 years. The Fiesta has never been an “All Star.”