It still will not work for me without seats down, something I do not enjoy. I require space for saddles, and I cannot (and will not) bend them so they'll fit in a Fit without being squished.
Hence, I prefer the Matrix/Vibe cargo area:
The cargo area is also plastic-coated, with tie-downs. VERY useful when you are like me and sometimes have to carry heavy or sharp-cornered items that you don't want scraping up the inside of your car. With the seats folded down, the Matrix/Vibe becomes like a truck with a cap - the "bed" is quite large, enough for me to move most of my furniture on my own. The width of the tailgate on the Fit is also smaller than that on the Matrix/Vibe, very limiting when loading it up. There are many boxes Crompsin and I have moved from Ikea that we never would have been able to get in the Fit because of the width of its opening.
Yes, the Matrix/Vibe is a larger car. I know that, and I really like the fact that I sit up higher than most cars, almost on par with a minivan. It makes visibility much better. Crompsin drove a Versa to Columbus once (a rental) and hated it.. yet he traded in his truck for a Vibe.
twistedmosaic, the Fit works for you. That's good for you. But some of the items I regularly move will NOT fit in a Fit, so I don't have one. My Matrix gets similar gas mileage, has more power, and more space.. and personally I think it's much nicer looking. So that's why I own one.
Do you ever have passengers in the rear seat of your car?
From autotrader "compare cars" feature (2004 Matrix vs. 2007 Honda Fit):
Advantages of Matrix Std4dr Wgn Manual (Natl) compared to Fit 5dr HB MT
* 21 more horsepower (130 vs 109).
* 20 more ft/lbs of torque (125 vs 105).
* Performance tires standard, versus not available.
* Daytime Running lights standard, versus not available.
* 26.4 more miles cruising range in the city (382.8 vs 356.4).
* 64.8 more miles cruising range on the highway (475.2 vs 410.4).
* 2.4 gallons larger gas tank (13.2 vs 10.8).
* 5.9 inches greater wheel base (102.4 vs 96.5).
* 13.9 inches longer (171.3 vs 157.4 which may be an advantage).
* 3.7 inches wider (69.9 vs 66.2 which may be an advantage).
* 2.3 inches greater front tread width (59.6 vs 57.3).
* 2.6 inches greater rear legroom (36.3 vs 33.7).
* 6.1 more cubic ft. of passenger space (96.2 vs 90.1).
Unfortunately autotrader doesn't take cargo volume or dimensions into account, so I can't argue that at the moment.. but those are all valid reasons for me to choose the Matrix over the Fit.
p.s. the Versa IS tiny, though!