EDIT - Pictures available:
https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=100536.msg1343917#msg1343917I got the fit replacement this afternoon. It's VERY different. Biggest similarities are the hatch and 6 speed manual.
The Fit: Small, fun, and tossable. LOUD.
VW: Large, quiet, refined.
First impressions tell me the fit is probably a better cargo van. I'm not sure in which car the fifth position is more comfortable - the Golf has a much bigger hump but it's also wider. I don't care about them though.
The new features for 2018 are:
4motion available
with a manual transmissionLed headlights and taillights with small design change
Auto headlights on trendline (finally, vw)
Rain sensing wipers
Carplay on all models
Interesting things:
Rain Sensing wipers - they don't use a special glass or anything, some sort of camera is mounted near the rearview mirror
Lots of car settings are configurable using infotainment system
The Cargo area has lots of available configurations. The 2 stage tonneau cover is very slick
Likes:
Gearbox is great. I think it'll be much harder to grind than my fit (which was annoyingly easy to grind actually)
Rearview camera being hidden really keeps it clean. It might be worth having to replace the mechanism down the road
Lots of little details: Door cubbies lined with felt, compartments well thought out,
Carplay infotainment system - even the base unit is pretty nice. The higher model screens are really slick though.
4motion - I've been told it's hard to go back to FWD after. And more than one salesman told me today while I was waiting for delivery that they changed their GTIs for 4motion golfs.
The levers to drop the back seat near the end of the hatch - saves a trip to the rear doors! There is a lever at the door too.
Revs quite low on the highway. Great highway cruiser. Ready for outdoor adventures.
Gripes:
Clutch lacks any feedback. Boots aren't helping but wow.
I really don't like how small the sideview mirrors are
The handle to adjust your seat distance from the wheel is very small and on one side - I far prefer the bar along the middle (they also took out the under-seat cubby found on 2015-2017 models)
In all I found the car very well thought out, and the price used vs new, along with the addition of 4motion a compelling reason to buy new. I hope it's not too FGC but we'll see.
I cross shopped all sorts of things including the Honda Clarity, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Corolla, Lexus CT200h, Ford C-Max, and all the Golf variants. Other cars I had relatively recently tried when buying the Fit.
Ultimately highway road noise topped my list of requirements, and EV was ruled out due to cost. I really wanted stick so I decided against the lexus. I hummed and hawed between the Golf Hatchback Comfortline and the Golf Sportwagen 4motion Trendline - ultimately decided that the AWD was more important to me than a panoramic roof and leatherette seats. I also really like wagons despite no real need for one.
Thanks to Tortoise I have the findway mats and I do really like them. Waiting on the cargo liner.
Very quick cellphone pics attached for now. I should have time to do a proper writeup later.
