Honda · 2001–2008

Honda Fit (first generation)

The first generation Honda Fit is a subcompact car or supermini manufactured by Honda from 2001 to 2008. It debuted in June 2001 in Japan and subsequently was introduced in Europe (early 2002), Australia (late 2002), South America (early 2003), South Africa and Southeast Asia (2003), China (September 2004), and Mexico (late 2005). The Fit's fuel tank under the front seat and compact rear suspension enable the rear seats to fold especially low, creating a flexible and regularised cargo volume that is large for its class. A production model for the United States and Canada debuted on January 8, 2006, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car was released in Canada on April 3, 2006, and in the U.S. on April 20, 2006, as a 2007 model year. In North American markets, the first-generation Fit was replaced after only two model years by a new 2009 model, which was released for Japan in November 2007 as a 2008 model. Subsequent iterations would maintain the same platforms worldwide.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Honda Logo · Successor: Honda Fit (second generation)

All Honda Fit data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Models

The first-generation Fit was sold in 6 variations while its City/Fit Aria sedan sibling was sold in 4 variations. All first generation Fit/Jazz models throughout the world used the following distinct GD or GE codes, found in the vehicle's identification number (VIN): Fit/Jazz GD1: 1.3 L L13A i-DSI inline-four 2WD (Europe: 1.4 L) GD2: 1.3 L L13A i-DSI inline-four 4WD (Japan only) GD3: 1.5 L L15A VTEC inline-four 2WD GD4: 1.5 L L15A VTEC inline-four 4WD (Japan only) GD5: 1.2 L L12A i-DSI inline-four (Europe) GE3: 1.3 L L13A i-DSI inline-four 2WD (2007 Europe 1.4 L model. Made in China)

Drivetrain and platform

Depending on the region, the Fit is available with a 1.2-, 1.3- (in Europe referred as 1.4 L model), 1.5-liter i-DSI engine, or 1.5-liter VTEC engine. All four engines are based on Honda's L-series engine family. The eight-valve i-DSI (intelligent Dual and Sequential Ignition) engines use two spark plugs per cylinder, allowing gasoline to burn more completely; therefore, fuel consumption and emissions are reduced while maximum torque at mid-range rpm is maintained. The 1.5 L VTEC engine has the typical 16-valve configuration that can maximise output at high rpm. The engines are mated to a five-speed manual, five-speed automatic, and continuously variable transmission (CVT), depending on the region (CVT not offered in United States prior to 2015). Two forms of CVT are offered: the regular, and CVT-7. The latter offers a smooth, continuous flow of power, or seven simulated "gears" controlled by paddle shifters on the steering column. The Fit uses Honda's Global Small Car platform, which is also used by Fit Aria/City (a sedan version of the Fit), the Airwave (a station wagon version of Fit Aria/City), the Mobilio, and Mobilio Spike.

Interior packaging concept

The Fit's central fuel tank location under the front rather than rear seats — combined with a compact, semi-independent, H-shaped torsion beam rear suspension — allows for a lower load platform and increased cargo volume. Noted for its "class leading utilization of interior space and maximum flexibility for people or cargo," the Fit offered approximately twice the storage space behind its rear seat compared with the Toyota Yaris hatchback. Ultra Seat: The fuel tank and rear suspension layout also allows a multiple-mode seating system, marketed by Honda as Ultra Seat (Asia) and Magic Seat (North America, Oceania), with four seating modes — and a fifth in certain markets: Normal: seats are in their normal position with seating for five. Utility: Either section (or both) of the 60:40 split rear seat folds and lowers onto itself, creating a flat load surface and increased cargo area. Long: The rear seat behind the passenger folds down similar to utility mode, but the front passenger seat folds backward, leaving an area that can hold items as long as 2.4 meters (7.9 ft). Tall: Either section (or both) of the rear seat cushion fold up against the rear seat back, allowing for an area of 1.28 meters (4.2 ft) in height. Refresh: With the headrest of the front seat removed, the front seat back can be folded down to form a lounge-style sitting area. This was not available in all markets. According to the Fit's chief engineer, Kohei Hitomi, the Magic/Ultra seating system's design "came about after the design team had spent long hours watching people in supermarkets and how they stored their things." Ultra Luggage: In certain markets, Honda offers the Fit/Jazz without a spare tire, a system marketed as Ultra Luggage, where the spare tire well is used as part of a 'Tall' mode cargo

Production

The first-generation Fit was produced at six locations, in Suzuka, Japan; Sumaré, Brazil; Guangzhou, China; Ayutthaya, Thailand; Karawang, Indonesia; and Laguna, Philippines. Models produced in Japan were for Honda's home market, Europe, some Asian markets, Australia (till the end of 2005), Canada and the United States. Models for the Malaysian, Singaporean, and Vietnamese markets are produced in Thailand. The Brazilian factory supplied Mexico, all of Latin America and the Caribbean. Chinese models were sold in mainland China, and products from a dedicated export plant were exported to some left-hand-drive European markets, while Jazz models in Hong Kong were imported from Japan.

Markets

=== Japan === Two engines (1.3 i-DSI and 1.5 VTEC) were offered, each with a number of trim lines ranging from the basic "Y" to the sporty "S". The 1.3 L i-DSI was available with only the regular CVT automatic. The 1.5 L VTEC model with CVT-7 was added in September 2002. A five-speed manual was added in June 2004 for FWD model with the larger engine. The Fit is also available in 4WD here. Starting at a price of about JPY1,123,000 is the basic 1.3Y model. At the top of the range is the 1.5W four-wheel-drive version for JPY1,743,000. A bewildering range of options and accessories are available at most levels, including Honda's HDD GPS Navigation System called Internavi with its 6.5-inch (170 mm) colour screen. This system incorporates TV and FM radio. In Japan, the Fit replaced the market segment previously served by the seventh-generation Honda Civic and shared a platform with the fourth-generation Honda City, when the Civic no longer complied with Japanese Government dimension regulations when the Civic exceeded the 1700 mm width dimension. Europe. Like Japan, the European Honda Jazz also has two engines available. The European-only 1.2 i-DSI is offered as the base model in many countries, and can be purchased only with a five-speed manual transmission. The 1.4 i-DSI is identical to the 1,339 cc 1.3 i-DSI sold in Japan, but marketed as a 1.4 L to differentiate it from the smaller 1.2 L engine (at 1,244 cc, it is closer to 1.3 L than the bigger one is to 1.4 L). 1.4 L models started out well-equipped with the 5-speed manual standard and CVT-7 available as an option. All European Jazz models have Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes or disc brakes. Side airbags are standard on high end models. The Jazz has been Honda's best-selling mo

Safety

2007 Honda Fit NHTSA crash scores: Frontal Driver: Frontal Passenger: Side Driver: Side Rear Passenger: Rollover: Euro NCAP test of a 2004 Honda Jazz 1.4 SE (RHD) model: Awarded stars Honda Jazz became the supermini to have the best overall performance for combined safety in its class.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Honda Fit (first generation)

Manufacturer

Honda

aka

Honda Jazz

Production

June 2001 – 2008

Assembly

Japan: Suzuka, Mie, China: Guangzhou (Guangqi Honda); Guangzhou (CHAC, export), Thailand: Ayutthaya, Indonesia: Karawang (HPM), Philippines: Santa Rosa, Brazil: Sumaré, São Paulo

Designer

Mitsuhiro Honda

Class

Subcompact car (B)

Body style

5-door hatchback

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (Japan)

Platform

Honda Global Small Car

Related

Honda City/Fit Aria (fourth generation), Honda Airwave

Engine

Petrol:, 1.2 L L12A i-DSI I4 (Europe), 1.3 L L13A i-DSI I4, 1.5 L L15A i-DSI I4, 1.5 L L15A VTEC I4

Transmission

5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, CVT

Wheelbase

2450 mm

Length

3830-3850 mm (Worldwide), 157.4 in (U.S. & Canada)

Width

1675 mm

Height

1525-1550 mm

Kerb weight

980-1100 kg

Predecessor

Honda Logo

Successor

Honda Fit (second generation)

Model years

2007–2008 (North America)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107406997CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Fit_(first_generation)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373669910 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2001-2004_Honda_Fit.jpgPublic domain · Photo: TTTNIS · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

More from Honda