The Honda Jazz is no stranger to the South African market, as the moniker first appeared locally in 2003. The Jazz, which has been one of the Japanese automaker's most popular models locally, was replaced by the Fit model in the middle of 2021. Likewise, the Honda Fit takes shape as a hatchback. However, it retains a new design language and a host of new powertrain and comfort technologies.
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Related: Honda Fit (2021) 1.5 Executive CVT Review: Fit for a king?
Nomenclature
While most Asian and African markets will identify Honda's small hatchback as the Jazz model, most Western regions will know the same model as the Fit. Honda specifically marketed the exact vehicle under two different names in different markets. However, with the introduction of the most recent hatchback model locally, Honda decided to fit a Fit moniker to the rear of the vehicle.
Thus, it is not that the Honda Jazz has been discontinued, just the naming convention. Honda decided the new name speaks more to the vehicle's character as it is a one-size-FITs-all vehicle.
Styling
While the Honda Fit comes with the same body style and reminiscent elements of the outgoing Jazz model, the newcomer is quite a departure from the outgoing Jazz. For the new model, Honda abandoned the sharp angular design theme and instead settled for a more rounded style emphasising horizontal lines. The latter, of course, makes the vehicle appear wider and compliments the compact body style. The strong horizontal lines are carried through to the interior, whereas the dashboard of the outgoing Jazz model offered more curvaceous lines.
Powertrain
While the outgoing Jazz was offered with both a 66 kW and 110 Nm, 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol and an 88 kW and 145 Nm, 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, the Fit range all come with a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. However, where the Fit differs dramatically is with the flagship derivative that sees a hybrid system fitted. This system sees the power lowered to 80 kW from the 89 kW expected in the non-hybrid variants. However, it bolsters the torque figure, which is now rated at 253 Nm instead of 145 Nm in the on-hybrid iterations.
