The mighty Honda Fit, renowned for its impressive cargo capacity and brilliant packaging, ended its tenure in the North American market in 2020. Used Fits have remained a strong value since then, with many still trading for near their original bargain pricing. But the Japanese, Chinese, and European markets have continued to be blessed by the compact hatchback, which has just added a new model to its lineup—and it, like the rest of the lineup, is so affordable in its homeland that it boggles the American new-car buying mind.
The Fit was first introduced in 2001, and it entered its fourth generation in 2020, with the new car launching at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. Six years later, Honda is giving the fourth-generation Fit a facelift, and adding a new base model trim level. Officially known as the Honda Fit Z, the new model is focused on combining sporty looks with an accessible price, but the real shock to American eyes is the MSRP.
View Price on AmazonThe new Honda Fit Z is priced at $13,228, which is unheard-of value in our current market, where the cheapest vehicle available is a $22,150 Hyundai Venue. And the Fit isn't lacking in amenities. The Z trim level visually matches Honda's sportiest Fit, the RS, by adding sharper-looking front and rear bumper designs. The interior features a leather three-spoke steering wheel, standard seat heaters, and upgraded interior trim materials. Honda even claims that paint quality on Z models is improved via a more premium clear coat.
Outright power was never the Fit's mission, but the current Japan-focused version is a bit measly on output. Thanks to a 1.5-liter inline-four, the Honda Fit Z makes 119 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. Hybrid versions are available, however, as are all-wheel-drive ones; even a fully loaded Fit Z with the 207-hp hybrid powertrain and AWD runs the equivalent of $16,767.
The addition of the Z trim is a first for the modern Fit lineup, which has historically offered a wider gap between the base X trim and more premium models. Honda still sells a bare-bones X trim in Japan at the equivalent of $11,138, but the Z trim clearly seems to be the standout model. Either way, the sheer affordability and relative amenities of Honda's overseas market offerings exemplify the difference in approach present in North America. Perhaps bigger is better for U.S. roads, but that doesn't make me miss the Honda Fit any less.
Source: roadandtrack.com
