By Kelly Fisher
The Honda Fit, formerly known as the Jazz, has transformed, making its mark as the best product Honda has recently introduced to the South African market. The new e:HEV model, a hybrid version, epitomises clever design and efficient use of space, capturing the essence of what has made the Fit a global success since its debut in 2001.
With the recent facelift, the Honda Fit e:HEV boasts a more pronounced and sportier front fascia. The large air dam and front grille, complemented by the LED/projector headlamp combo, give it an eye-catching presence. The dark satin bumper trim adds a contrasting flair against the vibrant paintwork of our test unit, garnering compliments from onlookers and family members alike.
Inside, the Fit retains its reputation for premium quality and clever use of space. Despite its compact exterior, the interior feels surprisingly spacious, thanks partly to Honda’s innovative Magic Seat System. This feature allows the rear seats to fold flat or flip upright, accommodating a variety of cargo sizes and shapes. Whether transporting holiday luggage or project materials, the Magic Seat System makes the Fit incredibly versatile. The boot space offers 298 litres with the seats up, expanding to 1199 litres when folded down, though the hybrid model sacrifices a bit of space for its electric components.
The cabin of the Fit exudes quality, with no rattles and a solid feel throughout. The leather-trimmed seats, steering wheel, and gear knob, along with the two-spoke steering wheel, enhance the overall driving experience. The dashboard, resembling a sleek coffee table, adds to the modern aesthetic. The 9-inch HMI touchscreen interface for infotainment is user-friendly, blending analogue and touch controls seamlessly. While Android Auto isn’t available wirelessly, Apple CarPlay users will appreciate the connectivity. The sound system, though not exceptional, delivers a balanced audio experience.
Under the hood, the Fit e:HEV features Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system. This combines a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine with two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery, and a fixed ratio e-CVT gearbox. The facelift model offers a power bump totalling 90kW and 253Nm. The petrol engine produces 78kW and 131Nm, while the electric motor adds 12kW and 122Nm. The Fit accelerates smoothly, though the CVT gearbox can cause the engine to rev loudly during high-speed demands. Despite this, the power delivery is smooth, with no jerky movements.
Fuel efficiency is a strong point for the Fit e:HEV, with a claimed consumption of 3.7l/100km. Our test drive over the December holidays yielded 4.0l-4.5l/100km, impressive for a hybrid. The Fit also has various safety features, including ABS, EBD, HSA, VSA, Brake Hold, a rear-view camera, and multiple airbags. Honda Sensing further enhances safety with adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, and road departure mitigation.
Compared to the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid and MINI Cooper, the Honda Fit e:HEV stands out for its practicality, efficiency, and stylish design. Honda has delivered a well-rounded and appealing product that meets the diverse needs of South African drivers.