Which Honda Fit is better: petrol or hybrid?

The Honda Fit arrived locally two years ago, replacing the Jazz as the Japanese brand adopts the Fit nomenclature as it has in many other markets for decades. Our question today is, which engine derivative should you choose, the petrol, or the hybrid?

Sean Nurse

31 Jul 2023 · 18:56Buying a Car2 min read

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Introduced to the local automotive realm mid-way through 2021, the latest Honda Fit is an enticing B-segment hatchback package that offers the brand’s renowned reliability in a good-looking and well-built product.

Related: Mazda2 vs Kia Rio vs Honda Fit: Here's our winner

The decline of the small-capacity diesel engines has seen the rise of the petrol-electric hybrid in many counties around the world, and we now see the arrival of a Hybrid model within Honda’s B-segment hatchback again. For today’s comparison, we will use the flagship Hybrid version of the Fit and compare it with the most highly specified petrol-only model to determine which one belongs in your garage.

	Honda Fit 1.5 Executive	Honda Fit Hybrid
Engine	1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol	1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol-electric hybrid
Power/Torque	89kW/ 145Nm	80kW/ 253Nm
Transmission Type	CVT	CVT
Driven wheels	Front	Front
0-100km/h	Not provided	9.4 sec
Fuel Consumption	5.5 L/100 km	3.7 L/100 km
Kerb weight	1 124kg	1 209kg
Price	R430 600	R519 900

The petrol

Powering the petrol model is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine that has been around for quite some time. The unit produces a healthy 89kW and 145Nm of torque and is paired with a CVT gearbox, making the petrol-powered Fit reasonably efficient with a claimed consumption figure of 5.5 L/100km and CO2 emissions figure of 132 g/km.

The hybrid

The Fit Hybrid features a mildly detuned version of the 1.5-litre petrol engine in the rest of the range, but the engine is aspirated with an electric model, bumping power to 80kW but, more importantly, torque to 253Nm. The powertrain is also paired with a CVT, but is far more efficient, with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 3.7 L/100km and CO2 emissions of just 88g/km. The Hybrid is also quite brisk, sprinting to 100km/h in a claimed 9.4 seconds.

Analysis

Looking at the figures, it is easy to assume that the Hybrid is the obvious choice; however, the top-spec petrol-only model nearly R90 000 less expensive, meaning that you would need to drive the Hybrid for years before the actual fuel costs offset the initial price deficit.

Verdict

Having looked at the pricing, efficiency and performance of the two Fit powertrains, it is clear that the Hybrid model is a superior drivetrain, but for those looking for the best value in the short to medium term, the good old petrol will still be better.

Written by Sean Nurse

With a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.Read more