Japan
Japanese sales began in October 2007. Facelifted models, and the hybrid version, arrived in October 2010. Models available in Japan are the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre variants consisting of the 13G, 15XH and the top-of-the-line RS.
In 2007, aftermarket tuner Mugen, introduced a new line of accessories for the Japanese-market 2008 Honda Fit.[10] On 17 January 2008, they introduced the Mugen Fit F154SC at the 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon.[11] The F154SC has a supercharger installed onto the stock L15A engine that raises base horsepower of the 1.5 L I4 to 150 hp and 184 Nm. Other upgrades include full coilover suspension, exhaust, intake, and brakes. Body modifications include a widened track to feed more air into the engine bay.
North America
Although the second-generation Honda Fit was introduced in the Japanese market in 2007, the first-generation Fit was still sold in the North American market for the 2008 model year. The second-generation Fit for the North American market was unveiled on March 19, 2008, at the New York International Auto Show for the 2009 model year.[12][13] To comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) and improve crash test ratings, the North American Fit's front overhang is several inches longer; the rear bumper is longer too. The engine is a 1.5 L i-VTEC 4-cylinder with 117 hp at 6,600 rpm mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission.
The second-generation Honda Fit went on sale in North America on August 26, 2008, for the 2009 model year. It was considered the most expensive within the subcompact class when equipped as such, but was also described as modestly priced.[14] It was reported in September 2009 that Honda was considering producing the Fit in North America in response to the increasing strength of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.[15]
The base Fit comes with 15-inch wheels with covers, power windows, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, a 12-volt power outlet, and other features. The Fit Sport adds a ground appearance package, 16 in alloy wheels, paddle shifters, a security system, fog lights, chrome exhaust finisher, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, floor mats, a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, and other features. For the first time, a navigation system is introduced to the Fit as an option on the Fit Sport trim.[16]
For the 2011 models, Vehicle Stability Assist, cruise control, remote entry and USB audio interface became standard across all trim levels. In addition, the Fit Sport now comes with carpeted floor mats.[17]
For the 2012 facelift, the Fit Sport features a new front bumper cover and grille, black headlight bezels, dark "machined surface" finish alloy wheels, a black monochrome theme interior with chrome accents. The base model receives body-color exterior mirrors (previously black), standard security system, and new wheel covers.[18][19]
Canadian trims include the DX (two speakers, black door handles and side mirrors), DX-A (adds factory-installed air conditioning), LX (adds among other things, body-colored door handles and side mirrors, 15-inch lightweight alloy wheels from the Civic Hybrid and DX-G, rear spoiler, power locks and remote entry, rear speakers for a total of four, cruise control) and Fit Sport (adds USB jack and Vehicle Stability Assist). The Fit Sport is similar to its American counterpart, however a navigation system is not offered as an option.[20]
Brazil
The Sumaré-built new Fit was introduced in October 2008 in Brazil at the São Paulo Auto Show. There are four versions: LX and LXL, with the 1.35-litre (marketed as 1.4) 16V engine, and EX and EXL, with the 1.5-litre 16V engine. Both engines have VTEC and flex fuel capabilities as standard. Manual and automatic – both five-speed – gearboxes are offered; CVT was no longer available.
Malaysia
The second-generation Fit was launched as the Jazz in Malaysia in August 2008. Two models were available: Grade S and Grade V.[21] In June 2009, a limited edition Grade S Modulo variant was launched limited to 100 units.[22] In April 2011, the facelift model was officially launched with a sole Grade V variant being available.[23] In August 2012, the sole Grade V variant was replaced with a Grade S variant that saw a reduction in price and a reduction in equipment.[24] Lastly, in July 2013, the Jazz was sold in Malaysia as a locally assembled model. Thus far, the second-generation Jazz had been fully imported from Thailand. Only one variant was available though dubbed Grade S. It comes in a blue-black fabric upholstery for the interior, 4-speakers, a CD/MP3/WMA player with USB and AUX jack, immobiliser and 4 corner reverse sensors.[25]
All second generation Jazz sold in Malaysia came with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC
Singapore
The second-generation Fit/Jazz was available from parallel importers and the authorized dealer in Singapore. The authorized dealer sells the Jazz in two variants, the 1.3-litre and the 1.5-litre having similar specifications as the parallel imported Fit but does not adopt the RS grade for the 1.5 model. The Jazz was launched later from the authorized dealer in 2009.
Thailand
The second-generation Fit was marketed in Thailand as the Jazz. The second generation model has been unveiled on 23 March 2008. 3 trim levels were offered, which were S, V and SV. Cars with the S trim level would have 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmission while the V and SV trims with only automatic transmission. All trim levels have the 1.5-litre 16V engine with i-VTEC, ABS and CD/MP3 radio. The Jazz in Thailand got a facelift in January 2011 with new front grille and rear bumper, sees an addition of front dual airbags across the range and front fog lights in SV models.
In early 2012, the Thai government allowed Honda Thailand to import the Jazz and Accord models from Japan to serve buyers in Thailand without any additional excise and import tax, due to a flood in the Honda plant in Ayutthaya province. The Japan-imported Jazz came with HID headlights and six airbags.
The Jazz hybrid was launched in Thailand in July 2012,[26] the first hybrid in the country's sub-compact market.[27] First time buyers of the car are eligible for Thai government's first car tax rebate.[26] The Jazz that is built in Thailand were exported to the Philippines and Australia.
Philippines
The second-generation Honda Jazz was introduced to the Philippine market in October 2008, making its debut at the 2nd Philippine International Motor Show.[28] Honda promoted the Jazz as a versatile subcompact hatchback with a competitive introductory price aimed at both young professionals and small families.
The model was offered in two trim levels:
Both variants featured Honda’s ULTRA seat system (Utility, Long, Tall, Refresh modes), which allowed for exceptional interior flexibility. The engines were Honda’s i-VTEC units:
A factory RS-style body kit (but not the actual RS variant) was made available for the 1.5 V trim. This included sportier bumpers, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and unique alloy wheels.[31]
Upon its launch, three variants of the all-new Jazz were made available in the Philippine market, with introductory pricing set at ₱707,000 for the 1.3-liter S M/T, ₱747,000 for the 1.3-liter S A/T, and ₱797,000 for the 1.5-liter V A/T.[32]
All Philippine-market units were initially sourced from Honda's Ayutthaya plant in Thailand. However, in late 2011, severe flooding in Thailand halted production, and Honda scrapped over 1,000 flood-damaged vehicles.
Facelift and Return to Thai Production
In late 2011, Honda introduced a facelift for the Jazz that included:
When Thai production resumed in early 2012, the Jazz 1.3 S model was officially relaunched on May 18, 2012.[36] The prices at the time were:
A review later that year praised the 1.5 V variant's blend of performance and features, noting its price was justified by its overall refinement. The 1.5 V was priced at ₱857,000.[38]
The second-generation Jazz remained on sale in the Philippines until its successor was introduced in July 2014.
- Redesigned front bumper and grille
- Updated alloy wheel designs
- Fog lights for the 1.5 V variant[35]
Indonesia
The second-generation Jazz was launched on 27 June 2008, sold in S and RS variants. In 2008, the total sales of Honda Jazz in Indonesia was 24,969 units, ranked 5th in total for the best-selling passenger car in Indonesia. In 2009, sales fell to 15,713 as economic activities slowed down but sales ranking improved to the fourth best-selling passenger car of the country. As of the end of November 2010, sales of Jazz totaled 20,581 unit for the year. As of June 2014, totaled 228,500 units Honda Jazz were sold since early 2004, making it the segment leader. On 19 May 2011, the Jazz underwent a facelift including the redesigned front grille, the new front/rear bumper, and LED tail lights.[39] On 22 January 2013, the Jazz went through minor changes, including a new headlight and tail light accents, added an upper spoiler as standard, new wheels, a new audio system, and the 'RS' badge on the grille. The S trim received the chrome grille.[40]
India
The Fit was launched as the Jazz in India in June 2009 with 26 percent import content.[41] It was manufactured by Honda Cars India Limited at its factory in Greater Noida. In India, the car is powered by 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine, as the government imposes higher tax for vehicles with petrol engines larger than 1,200 cc.[42] Honda Cars India postponed the introduction of the third generation Jazz up to 2015, citing production limitations.[43]
Australia
The second-generation Jazz was available in Australia, albeit initially without electronic stability control (known as Vehicle Stability Control in Honda nomenclature). Honda introduced the feature at the end of 2010.[44] Stability Control has since become standard on all Jazzes sold. Until the end of 2011 the Australian Jazz was sourced from Thailand. However, due to the 2011 flooding in Thailand, Honda Australia sourced two special editions of Jazz from Japan from early 2012 until Honda's plant in Thailand resumed production. The Japan-produced Vibe and Vibe S replaced the existing GLi and VTi prefixed models.[45][46]
Europe
On 28 July 2008, Honda UK announced that the second-generation Jazz would be on sale from 17 October 2008. The new model will be sold with two new engine variants; a 90 PS 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol capable of 55.4 mpgimp (combined) and with low CO2 emissions of 120 g/km; and a 100 PS 1.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engine capable of 53.3 mpgimp (combined) and with similarly low CO2 emissions of 123 g/km. Honda also announced the introduction of an optional new "I-SHIFT" automated manual gearbox replacing the traditional automatic CVT gearbox that had been available on the previous model.[47]
Production of the Jazz for European markets moved from Japan to Honda's UK plant in Swindon on 7 October 2009.[48]
Facelifted models and the new hybrid model went on sale on 1 February 2011. Aerodynamics improvement help the Cd drop from 0.336 to 0.330. Engine modifications result in a drop of carbon emission of two grams to 123 g/km for 1.2-litre engine and 126 g/km for 1.4-litre engine respectively. CVT transmission was available on cars with the larger engine.[49]
