Right now, with the respective rise in fuel prices and growing environmental concerns, subcompacts are hot sellers. Really hot.

From this intense part of the market the Chevrolet Aveo 5, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris Hatchback are all spookily close in specs.

All have front-wheel drive, five seats, five doors, 1.5 or 1.6 L inline fours rated from 103 to 109 hp and 103 to 107 lb.-ft. of torque, air conditioning, ABS and automatic transmissions.

As such, all three subcompacts dutifully perform their roles as day-to-day transportation without complaint. But which one of these penny-pinching rides can also do double duty as a driver's car?:

THIRD PLACE: 2007 TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK LE

GALLERY

As a roomy, comfortable commuter pod, the Yaris scores well. Price-wise, at $17,720, the Toyota runs right up the middle of this trio.

The Toyota and Chevy have similar power ratings, curb weights and numbers of gears, with four in their automatic transmissions. Both go from naught to 100 km/h in about 11 seconds.

Kudos to the Yaris for getting substantially better fuel economy, rated at 7.1 L/100 km city, 5.8 on the highway – a big reason why it's currently so popular.

Compared to the Aveo 5 and Fit, the driver sits high in the Yaris. Great for visibility; not so hot when you try to corner. However, add the car's soft suspension, which does such a good job soaking up bumps, and the Yaris produces plenty of understeer and lean compared to the others here.

The Toyota's anodyne driving characteristics continue with its anesthetic steering and an engine that's the noisiest of this group.

Perhaps the biggest issue with the Yaris as a driver's car is the instrumentation positioned in the centre of the dash. Because you don't have a direct line of sight, you take your eyes off the road too much, and glare is a constant problem as well.

WHY BUY? Cushy ride, roomy inside, excellent fuel economy. WHY NOT? Does not like to be driven with spirit, central driver's instrumentation distracting. SEDAN ALTERNATIVE 2007 Toyota Yaris Sedan, $17,700

SECOND PLACE: 2007 CHEVROLET AVEO 5 LS

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The Aveo 5 comes as advertised: cheap wheels with a modicum of driving fun.

With the lowest as-tested price, $16,055, the Chevy's interior materials can't match the Honda's more luxurious cabin. But the Aveo's driving position is conventionally fine, and, unlike Yaris, all of the instrumentation and controls are straightforward with a solid build quality.

On the road, the Chevy's overall body control is noticeably better than the Toyota's, without sacrificing much in ride quality.

Lacking the Fit's ultimate handling finesse, the Aveo makes up for it in being quite nimble, with less roll in turns than Yaris. Steering is quick and sharp, too, if not very linear in use.

Where the Aveo 5 stumbles is in refinement – understandable given its lowball pricing.

Fuel economy – 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.3 highway – is measurably thirstier than the Honda or Toyota. And the gearing in the optional four-speed autobox (a five-speed stick is standard) is too wide between second through fourth gears.

Inside, the Aveo's centre console encroaches on the driver's right knee, and the folding armrest attached to the driver's seat will exfoliate your bare forearm quicker than raw burlap.

WHY BUY? Bargain-basement pricing, nimble handling, logical control layout. WHY NOT? Relatively poor fuel economy, unrefined automatic tranny, interior ergonomic quibbles. SEDAN ALTERNATIVE 2007 Chevrolet Aveo LS, $16,055

FIRST PLACE: 2007 HONDA FIT LX

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The Fit's interior ergonomics and controls are smartly designed. They feel expensive in their invention and use.

Overall, Fit has a solidity that belies its size. The only intrusion into the otherwise quiet cabin is the drone of the engine at higher highway speeds.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard, but our test Fit's five-speed automatic gearing was well matched to the smooth mill. It always feels eager and willing and the Fit is almost 1.5 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the Aveo and Yaris.

In spite of the near hot-hatch performance, the Fit still sips fuel, rated at 8.0 L/100 km city, 5.8 highway.

Alone, these qualities would justify the purchase of the petite Honda.

The bonus is the way Fit feels sports-car light and responsive when attacking a sinewy road or zipping through city traffic. Heck, it even rides decently over lousy pavement.

If it's any consolation, the Fit actually feels more expensive than its comparatively high $18,850 price. Honda's philosophy seems to be "just because you want to drive a subcompact, you shouldn't have to suffer in refinement."

WHY BUY? Upscale interior with an excellent balance between fuel economy and performance, zippy handling. WHY NOT? Highway drone, pricey for its class. SEDAN ALTERNATIVE 2007 Honda Civic DX-G, $20,380