[5] Honda uses the "Jazz" nameplate in Europe, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia and India; and "Fit" in Japan, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan and the Americas.

Sharing Honda's global small car platform with the City, Airwave, first-generation Mobilio, Freed and HR-V/Vezel, the Fit is noted for its one-box or monospace design; forward-located fuel tank; configurable seats that fold in several ways to accommodate cargo in varying shapes and sizes— and cargo volume competitive to larger vehicles.

[6][7][8][9] Honda released hybrid petrol-electric versions of the Fit in Japan in October 2010 and in Europe in early 2011.

[10][11] In 2012, Honda released the Fit EV, a limited-production all-electric version based on the second-generation model in the United States and Japan, and was widely regarded as a compliance car.

[12][13][14] The fourth-generation model released in 2019 is currently sold in Japan, Europe, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Brunei and Singapore.

The Fit Hybrid featured a 1.3-litre engine and electric motor, with an estimated fuel economy of 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres (86 mpg‑imp; 71 mpg‑US) measured in accordance with Japanese 10–15 cycle.

The 2013 model year production Fit EV was unveiled at the November 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

[28] Body panels are both welded and bolted to the frame in a hybrid monocoque and spaceframe fusion — and rear torsion beam suspension is more compact, no longer using an anti-sway bar to maximize interior and cargo space.

[27] The system uses an Earth Dreams 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC direct injection engine rated at 97 kW (132 PS; 130 hp) and 156 N⋅m (15.9 kg⋅m; 115 lb⋅ft) paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and an internal high-output motor, IPU (Intelligent Power Unit) with lithium-ion battery, electric servo braking system with variable servo ratio control.

Regardless of trim level, all variants get a non-direct-injected 1.5-liter L15Z SOHC i-VTEC engine an Earth Dreams CVT.

[36] Like in most Southeast Asian countries, the new City Hatchback served as the Jazz replacement for Malaysian market.

The fourth-generation Fit/Jazz was unveiled simultaneously on 23 October 2019 in Japan at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show and Amsterdam, Netherlands at the 'Electric Vision' event.

The fourth-generation Fit retains the large windshield which offers optimal forward visibility, though it has a redesigned front pillar with a cross-sectional structure that differs from the previous generation.

[53] The model is not being sold in the North American market due to the declining sales of its predecessor; the HR-V has seen its production being ramped up to compensate for the discontinuation of the Fit.

Initial trim levels for the Japanese market Fit were: Basic, Home, Ness, Crosstar and Luxe.

[58] The Japanese market Fit received a facelift in August 2022, which reintroduced the RS trim (replacing Ness model).

The Jazz went on sale in Europe in June 2020 as a hybrid only model, as Honda had begun phasing out conventional combustion engines in the region.

For the market, Honda stated the Jazz is capable of achieving 62.8 mpg‑imp (22.2 km/L; 4.5 L/100 km; 52.3 mpg‑US) on the WLTP combined cycle while emitting 102 g/km of CO2 in its standard form.

The Fit Sport featured sportier-looking front and rear bumpers compared to the Japanese or European model.

[1] Both are fitted with a more pronounced rear bumpers compared to the Japanese-produced model, increasing its length to 4,110 mm (161.8 in).

[74] The fourth generation Fit for Taiwan was announced on 10 September 2021, with sales commenced in December, with two variants at launch: Home and e:HEV.

The engine sends power to the front wheels through a single fixed-gear ratio and a lock-up clutch, which is claimed to provide a smoother transfer of torque during acceleration.

The setup is claimed to be more compact and refined compared to a planetary eCVT typically found in other hybrid vehicles.

[77] After a minor model change that went on sale on June 11, 2004, Honda announced that, in about two weeks' period after its introduction, the company received orders from customers totaled around 13,000 units.

[78] By November 2007, in less than six months after minor model change, cumulative sales of Fit reached one million units in Japan.

[77] On July 17, 2007, Honda announced that as of the end of June more than 2 million Fit/Jazz units had been sold worldwide since its introduction.

[95] In the first half of 2008, Honda and other manufacturers were surprised by the rapid shift towards smaller cars in the United States.

[141] Because Fitta in Scandinavian languages is vulgar slang for vagina, Honda instead used Jazz in most markets and Fit in the Americas.

As part of the campaign, the vehicle also appeared in Gossip Girl, 90210, America's Next Top Model, Smallville and Everybody Hates Chris.

A dedicated marketing site was built to communicate top product features through games and interactive experiences.