I was recently in South Africa for several weeks for work, and being the car fanatic that I am, was itching to go to several dealerships to look at their different models. I was also fortunate to have the pleasure to rent both a Hyundai i10 and Chevrolet Spark Lite (essentially the original Daewoo Matiz bodystyle) during that time too.


Anyway, the only dealership I had a chance to stop by was Honda Cape Town, and was helped by a friendly saleswoman, Jade. She was very knowledgeable with the Jazz, and was excited to know that I owned one in the States.


I tried a few of them; most were the base model, called Trend there. (Comfort, Elegance, and Dynamic were the next ascending trims). The Trend is pretty barebones compared to the US versions; offering a 1.2 litre with 66kw (88 horsepower), no CD player (the base unit is AM/FM, but with AUX and Bluetooth), no center armrest or storage compartment, no silver trim on the door handles or dash, no cruise, and no hill-start assist.


Features aside, there weren't too many differences for the car itself; all of the interior pieces and styling looked identical. The gauges are a dull greyish color, as opposed to the blue on US models. It just felt naked with no armrest and an empty, buttonless steering wheel. Also, the Jazz, like most South African cars, gets a full-size spare tire for their rougher roads


Move up to the top of the line Dynamic, and things get interesting. It gets a 1.5 litre with 88kw (118 horsepower, so no Earthdreams), still a 5-speed manual (or CVT, which automatics are rare there), the same touchscreen as here, automatic climate control, power folding mirrors, the hill-start, and parking sensors.


No backup camera, leather seats, or sunroof can be had on any Jazz there, as Jade was extremely jealous of those options, and of how well equipped the base LX is in the US. She was also envious of our Aegean Blue, which no shade of blue is available. However, they have an awesome Sunset Orange that I wish was available here. It's similar to the orange available on the Chevy Sonic and looks great!


Another trend I noticed in South Africa is that it's common to sell a new model, like the new Jazz, and continue selling the old body style alongside it for several years at a lower price. There were several brand new second-gen Jazz's in the dealership too. I noticed the same at Chevy, where they sell the old Matiz alongside the new Spark, and the old Aveo new alongside the Sonic. Interesting......


Attached are some photos from the visit:

 

Thanks! The orange is terrific.

 

I like the orange as well. I have been to Capetown, beautiful place.

 

If they don't have Earthdreams, does it mean that it's not a direct injection engine?? I was not worried in the slightest about a DI engine until I saw several comments in the threads of people who are suspicious of it.

I do like the sunset orange color - I would have chosen it if it was available here in the US. Also, I'm glad to be reminded that automatics are rare elsewhere.

 

The orange reminds me of the VW Rabbit I bought new in 1975. One thing about a color like that is that it always stands out in a parking lot making the car easy to find. I'd almost want a car of that color again but this isn't 1975 and disco isn't back.

 

That means no EarthDreams and no direct injection in South Africa. I believe Australia also has the same scenario; the current Jazz has the same engine from the Gen2 carried over


The 1.2 litre iVETC and 1.5 litre iVETC are also carryovers. According to a magazine I bought there, the 1.2 with five-speed takes 13.5 seconds to reach 100kph (60mph), while the CVT is 14.3 seconds. That would easily get beaten by a US market Mitsubishi Mirage. The 5-speed 1.5 takes a comparatively robust 9.9 seconds.


I do love the orange as well, and probably would've chosen it over my blue too. It'd probably be a huge hit here in the US, as it's all over the sales literature for the Jazz over there.


I noticed almost every car had a manual in South Africa, even upscale Mercedes and BMWs. According to one of my colleagues there, automatics are only for the elderly or disabled, and very expensive. Agreed, it is refreshing to see somewhere that it's expected to know how to drive a manual

 

I believe they are using the L15A7 out of the outgoing GE Fit, as they are doing in other markets, like Asia, so it's not a DI engine.

I am suspicious of the DI motors, but it seems that Honda did their homework on this one from the research i've done, and i'm sure it will require less much less additional maintenance than the older BMW and Audi motors.

I like the bumpers and badging much better on the overseas version but wish those cutouts were functional... at least it LOOKS like it's just solid plastic? Which is kind of silly if so.

 

Just give me a current day 2nd gen Fit with 5 speed manual brand new at a steeper discount than the 3rd gen failure, and I would consider myself lucky.

I wonder if S. African GE manual is 1.2 or 1.5 litres, and further wonder if their 3rd gen comes by way of Mexico? I would think their gen 2 comes from China and I would take their subpar locally sourced steel over the poor overall build quality coming out of Salao, Mexico. If you are a happy 3rd gen camper then please ignore me or try no to cuss me out simply because I'm exptessing my observations. I am not trying to make enemies or friends with people I will likely never meet. Just trying to give my experience an hopefully learn from yours.

@OP, thanks for taking the time to post what goes on in other parts of the automotive world.

 

I'm not sure what engines the GE comes with down there, but the South African market 3rd gen is built in India. I did notice improved quality with some of the parts that have dogged my US market Fit, particularly the rear plastic trim between the tailights on the hatch. Mine snapped off a few months ago and the replacement still feels flimsy. The South African felt sturby and robust, as it should!