What year did Honda Fit come out?

The Honda Fit first came out in 2001 in Japan (where it was known as the Fit) and the United States followed with the 2007 model year. This article traces the car’s release timeline and how it evolved across markets and generations.

Origins and early release

The Honda Fit was designed as a compact, versatile five-door hatchback featuring a flexible interior. It launched in Japan in 2001, signaling Honda’s push to combine practicality with fuel efficiency in a subcompact package. In Europe and several other markets, the same car was branded as the Jazz, beginning rollout around 2002–2003, depending on the country. The naming differences—Fit in Japan and North America, Jazz in Europe—persisted across generations for many years.

Naming and regional differences

Honda used distinct branding by market: "Fit" in Japan and the United States, and "Jazz" in Europe and other regions. The two names refer to the same underlying model, with regional updates and branding evolving over time.

North American introduction and global rollout

The U.S. market gained the Fit for the 2007 model year, marking its first major entry into North America. The model would be refreshed and expanded across generations, with improvements to interior space, efficiency, and technology. Outside the United States, the car continued to grow in popularity and received design updates aligned with regional market needs.

Model-year framing

In Honda's lineup, releases are typically aligned to model years. For the Fit, that meant U.S. sales began with the 2007 model year, while other regions received newer iterations at different times depending on local market strategies.

Generational milestones

The Fit has evolved through several generations, each bringing notable changes in space, efficiency, and features. The timeline below provides a concise look at those generations and their general release windows across markets.

The following bullets summarize the key generations of the Honda Fit and their approximate release windows across markets.

• Gen 1: Debut in 2001 in Japan; Jazz branding in Europe; U.S. introduction for the 2007 model year


• Gen 2: Introduced around 2007–2008 in most markets; U.S. model year 2008–2009


• Gen 3: Introduced around 2014–2015; global availability with refreshed styling


• Gen 4: Launched around 2020; marketed as Jazz in many markets; U.S. sales ended after the 2020 model year

Each generation preserved the Fit’s core appeal—compact footprint with surprisingly flexible cargo space and improving efficiency—while adopting modern technology and safety features.

Summary

The Honda Fit first appeared in 2001 in Japan, with the United States following for the 2007 model year. Over its lifespan, the model grew through multiple generations and varied by region, with the Jazz name used outside Japan and North America. In the United States, Fit sales concluded after the 2020 model year, though the Jazz designation continues in other markets. The Fit remains celebrated for its clever packaging, practical design, and fuel efficiency.

Why was the Honda Fit discontinued?

The Honda Fit was discontinued in North America due to declining sales, a shift in consumer preference toward SUVs, and economic factors. Honda replaced it with the more profitable HR-V crossover, which shares a platform with the Fit and is a more popular segment. Other contributing factors include new fuel economy regulations and changing market dynamics.
 
Reasons for discontinuation

• Declining sales and market trends: The subcompact car market has shrunk significantly, with sales of models like the Fit declining for years. Consumers are increasingly favoring SUVs and crossovers, and the Fit's sales numbers dropped considerably, especially compared to the HR-V. 
• Profitability: The HR-V crossover is more profitable for Honda to produce and sell than the Fit. By shifting production of the HR-V to the Mexico factory that previously built the Fit, Honda was able to allocate resources to the more lucrative crossover market. 
• Changing market dynamics: A period of lower gas prices also contributed to the decline in demand for fuel-efficient small cars, as consumers became less concerned about fuel economy and more interested in the features and higher driving position of SUVs. 
• Regulatory pressures: Stringent future fuel economy targets may have made it less feasible for Honda to produce the Fit profitably in the U.S. market. 
• Replacement strategy: Instead of bringing the new fourth-generation Fit to the U.S., Honda replaced it with the related HR-V to capitalize on the market's demand for crossovers. 

What year did they start making Honda Fits?

The first year the Honda Fit was sold in the United States was 2007. The first generation of the Honda Fit was introduced in Japan in June 2001 and later launched in other global markets before arriving in the US.
 

• First year in the US: The Honda Fit was first available for the 2007 model year. 
• Global debut: The vehicle was first launched in Japan in June 2001. 
• First generation: The first generation (GD/GE model code) was sold globally from 2001 to 2008. 
• US model years: The first generation was sold in North America for only two years, 2007 and 2008. 

Why did they discontinue the Fit?

Honda discontinued the Fit in North America due to declining sales, a shift in consumer preference towards SUVs like the HR-V, and the fact that the crossover was more profitable for the company. The Fit's sales had been decreasing for years, and the decision allowed Honda to reallocate production to the more in-demand and higher-margin HR-V crossover, which shares a factory in Mexico.
 
Reasons for discontinuation

• Declining sales: The Fit's sales dropped significantly in the years leading up to its discontinuation. 
• Consumer preference shift: There was a major shift in the market from small cars to SUVs, with consumers showing a stronger preference for the taller and more spacious HR-V. 
• Profitability: The HR-V was a more profitable vehicle for Honda per unit, making it a better business decision to focus resources on its production. 
• Factory reallocation: Discontinuing the Fit freed up its production line at the Mexico factory to be used for the more popular HR-V. 
• Economic factors: Higher prices for higher trims of the Fit may have contributed to lower sales compared to more budget-friendly economy cars. 

Other information

• Global availability: The Fit was not discontinued everywhere; it continues to be sold in other markets, often under the name Honda Jazz. 
• Alternative models: For consumers looking for an entry-level Honda after the Fit's discontinuation, the next closest options are the Civic or the HR-V. 

What is the common problem in Honda Fit?

Common problems for the Honda Fit include issues with the ignition coils, leading to stuttering and a check engine light, especially in the 2007-2016 models. Other common complaints are a broken front door armrest, failure of the HVAC blower fan resistor causing it to only work on high speed, and a faulty starter in some model years.
 
You can watch this video to learn about 5 potential problems when buying a used Honda Fit: 56sThe FleetYouTube · Jul 4, 2023
Engine and performance

• Ignition coil failure: This is a widespread problem, especially for the 2007-2016 models, causing a check engine light, loss of power, and engine stuttering. 
• Starter failure: The 2015 model is particularly noted for starter failures. 
• Spark plug and cylinder head failure: Some models have experienced these issues. 

Electrical and accessories

• HVAC blower resistor: The fan motor often fails and only works on the highest setting due to a bad resistor pack. 
• Fuel filler door: The door may not open. 
• Electrical system issues: Some newer models have reported issues like a short in the electrical system draining the battery. 
• Rear washer nozzle: The nozzle can be broken or missing. 

This video explains how to diagnose and fix a common engine problem in a Honda Fit: 1mScotty KilmerYouTube · Dec 24, 2020
Interior and body

• Front door armrests: These can break. 
• Uncomfortable seats: Some owners report the seats are not very comfortable. 
• Windshield cracks: The windshield is prone to cracking. 
• Rattling noise: A rattle from the driver's side of the dash is a common complaint. 
• Fading paint and fogged headlights: These are common cosmetic issues. 

Other

• Airbag inflator: Some Honda Fits may have a recall for airbag inflators that could rupture. 

This video discusses potential problems in Honda Jazz cars, which are similar to Honda Fits: 58sScottish Car ClanYouTube · Dec 28, 2022