US Fit vs. Other Fit/Jazz

hankim68 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 01:58 PM

The first time I saw the GE8 Fit/Jazz was in Bangkok, Thailand. I never really liked the first gen Fit/Jazz, but the GE8 I saw on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok that day really blew me away. When I returned to the US and started shopping, something always bugged me about the US Fit. I couldn't put my finger on it until I saw this comparison photo between a US Fit and a Japanese Fit:

I guess US bumper regulations extended the nose, but I didn't realize it extended it THAT much. I know this is subjective, but I find the Japanese version much more attractive. The nose on the US Fit seems waaay to long, and ruins the clean lines for me.

jdmjunkie561 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 02:02 PM

I personally like the us one cause it doesn't look like it got punched in !! But then again that's the impression I get threw seeing pictures!! Maybe if I saw in real life , my thoughts would change ! But I like my fit and don't mind the lenth difference !! IMO

secondspassed · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankim68

The first time I saw the GE8 Fit/Jazz was in Bangkok, Thailand. I never really liked the first gen Fit/Jazz, but the GE8 I saw on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok that day really blew me away. When I returned to the US and started shopping, something always bugged me about the US Fit. I couldn't put my finger on it until I saw this comparison photo between a US Fit and a Japanese Fit:

I guess US bumper regulations extended the nose, but I didn't realize it extended it THAT much. I know this is subjective, but I find the Japanese version much more attractive. The nose on the US Fit seems waaay to long, and ruins the clean lines for me.

Yeah, it's pretty bad. The JDM version has clean-flowing lines while the USDM has a bulbous, stretched out look. There's even enough extra room in there for coyotes to travel with you.

beangrower · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:14 PM

too bad it costs a grip to do a conversion.

Type 100 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the comparison.

I noticed the front fenders are actually the same size on both US and "everywhere else" GEs. By comparison, the US GDs were already longer at the fenders.

Under the skin, maybe the bulbous-nose look on the US GEs is just a factor of the bumper beam being that much more extended, with everything else (hood and headlights) following suit?

Correct me if I'm wrong

FITMugen · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:50 PM

I think USDM FIT has a longer nose due to safety requirements / Crash test. USDM FIT only offer 1.5L engine same as in Thailand. However, JDM JAZZ offers both 1.3L and 1.5L engine and FWD and AWD. USDM in FIT Sport with NAV comes with VSA. Thailand Jazz does not offer VSA. There are a lot more detals that USDM FIT has but not Thailand Jazz.

cab0053 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type 100

Under the skin, maybe the bulbous-nose look on the US GEs is just a factor of the bumper beam being that much more extended, with everything else (hood and headlights) following suit?

Correct me if I'm wrong

that is correct. it is also super lame.

stratos · #8 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 02:44 AM

The Fit US fenders are much longer than that from the Thailand Jazz. That actually adds much to the length of the front. IMHO, it really doesn't look all that bad. I think its cause it's complemented by the slightly extended rear bumper and the wing. Therefore it doesn't look too 'head heavy.'

Shockwave199 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 03:15 AM

There's a quick reference to the growth here-

YouTube - MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Honda Fit

I love Motor Week. Always have.

Dan

Type 100 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratos

The Fit US fenders are much longer than that from the Thailand Jazz. That actually adds much to the length of the front. IMHO, it really doesn't look all that bad. I think its cause it's complemented by the slightly extended rear bumper and the wing. Therefore it doesn't look too 'head heavy.'

Now that you mentioned it...yeah, I noticed the extra length. Given the size of the photos on this thread it was a little hard to spot but it's there

+rep

Virtual · #11 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockwave199

There's a quick reference to the growth here-

YouTube - MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Honda Fit

I love Motor Week. Always have.

Dan

That video refers to the growth from the first gen to the 2nd gen. This thread is about the difference between North American and other Fit/Jazz models.

Black3sr · #12 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 07:24 AM

Here I was thinking we are sort of lacking something at the rear. It seems chopped off and yet the JDM are even shorter.

I want JDM tails.

polokid69 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondspassed

Yeah, it's pretty bad. The JDM version has clean-flowing lines while the USDM has a bulbous, stretched out look. There's even enough extra room in there for coyotes to travel with you.

I wondered if someone would bring up room for the coyote, lol, good work !

Type 100 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankim68

I guess US bumper regulations extended the nose, but I didn't realize it extended it THAT much. I know this is subjective, but I find the Japanese version much more attractive. The nose on the US Fit seems waaay to long, and ruins the clean lines for me.

Some input:
The "everywhere-else" GE has one slope from the hood to the top of the A-pillar. The US one has two slopes, meeting at the base of the windshield.

In a way the longer schnoz and the two-slope look make the US GE8 actually look more like the GDs from the side...that two-slope look is universal on the older Fit.

FITMugen · #15 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:46 PM

FIT/JAZZ lovers from other countries would like to get USDM FIT and people in the US want to get JDM FIT.

I like USDM FIT. JAZZ in thailand does not have/offer VSA, side airbags, cruise control, multi-function stearing wheel, etc. Ony 3 things that I wish USDM FIT should offer are sky-roof, turn-signal side mirrors and rear disc break.

jdmjunkie561 · #16 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FITMugen

FIT/JAZZ lovers from other countries would like to get USDM FIT and people in the US want to get JDM FIT.

I like USDM FIT. JAZZ in thailand does not have/offer VSA, side airbags, cruise control, multi-function stearing wheel, etc. Ony 3 things that I wish USDM FIT should offer are sky-roof, turn-signal side mirrors and rear disc break.

Amen amen amen to that brother !!!

Fittogo · #17 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beangrower

too bad it costs a grip to do a conversion.

Not unless you know where to source the parts.

Lek · #18 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

I personally like the us one cause it doesn't look like it got punched in !! But then again that's the impression I get threw seeing pictures!! Maybe if I saw in real life , my thoughts would change ! But I like my fit and don't mind the lenth difference !! IMO

Hmm, everyone to his own.

canuck901 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 11:50 PM

i like the North american fit sport, looks sweet, and i have the blue pearl one...looks awesome for a compact car, paddle shift...TPMS...the US version is nicer then the canadian version....I have a US Honda fit...glad its made in japan :P US version has higher options even bluetooth and GPS and u can't get that in canada

wilcoholic · #20 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:34 AM

The thai MT version does not even have front airbags. You'd have to get a higher end model and those only come with automatic transmissions.