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.

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 area behind the rear seats. A flexible flap allows three configurations of rear storage: Regular, Tall and Upper/Lower mode.

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 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 model, comprising 30% of European sales.

China Local production and sale of the Fit (Hatchback) in China started in September 2004, roughly one year after the launch of the sedan version 'Fit saloon' (City/Fit Aria) in September 2003. The trims are similar to those in Japan; with the combination of 1.3 i-DSI, 1.5 VTEC, five-speed manual, and CVT, there are four models in total.

North America

The Fit went on sale in the United States and Canada in April 2006 for the 2007 model year, replacing the seventh-generation Civic hatchback for North America and becoming that market's chief entry-level subcompact. The Civic continues to grow in size and price and was reclassified as a compact (larger than a subcompact) in 2001.

In keeping with Honda's safety initiative, the Fit was offered in North America with power windows, standard side airbags, side-curtain airbags, and ABS, in addition to the mandatory front airbags. Due to differing safety regulations, North American Fits have larger bumpers and a longer front clip than the rest of the world, resulting in a slight increase in overall length.

For the 2008 model year, U.S. models feature the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to alert the driver of low pressure in any of the four stock wheels. Unlike some systems, the system in the 2008 Fit notifies the driver that a tire is low, but not which tire. The Fit narrowly missed qualifying for the Canadian government's $1,000 rebate, which is only offered for cars that meet the new federal fuel efficiency rating. Honda Canada Inc. decided to reimburse consumers the rebate for 2007, and a revision to the federal ratings allowed the 2008 Fit to qualify for the $1,000 rebate.

The Fit was offered in two variants in the United States (Base and Sport), and three in Canada (DX, LX and Sport). Differences were primarily limited to cosmetics and standard equipment, since all models shared the same 1.5 L 109 hp (81 kW) engine and standard five-speed manual transmission. A conventional five-speed automatic transmission was optional, instead of the automatic CVT found throughout the rest of the world. The Fit Sport model received paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel when ordered with the automatic.

For the 2006 calendar year, 27,934 Fits were sold in the United States. A total of 56,432 Fits were sold in the United States in 2007.

The 2008 Honda Fit was largely unchanged from the 2007 model with the exception of TPMS and new windshield wipers that abandon the large rubber-blade design to a more traditional rigid plastic with thin rubber-blade design. MSRP was also increased by roughly US$100. Total sales in the United States for the year were 79,794, an increase of almost 41% over previous year.

Reception Honda marketed the Fit as "Small is the New Big".

Car and Driver magazine described, that "not only is it endowed with an impressive array of standard features and an upscale interior, but its dynamics rival the responses of cars with much fancier pedigrees and price tags." The magazine even cited its lane-change number of 71.4 mph edged the best run by a Ferrari F430 Spider F1 tested. The car was included in Car and Driver′s "10 Best Lists" three times. In May 2006, the Fit was placed first in a Car and Driver comparison of seven economy cars that included Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris.

Consumer Guide said in its review, "While prices seem steep for a subcompact (compared to the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa), this is one in name and exterior size only; it's really a small wagon that challenges some compact SUVs for room while getting significantly better fuel economy".

Mexico Fit, sourced from Brazil, was launched in October 2005.

Brazil