We find that the Honda Fit 1,5 Hybrid eCVT is the perfect antidote to the chaos in Cape Town during summer, as we explain below.

If you stumbled across this review to learn a few salient facts about the Honda Fit 1,5 Hybrid eCVT, here they are:

  • Hybrid engine with 80 kW and automatic transmission
  • 4,7 L/100 km real-world fuel consumption 
  • Practical cabin with loads of standard items
  • R544 900

For those who have persisted beyond the ‘short attention span’ version, we can continue. Double Apex was loaned a Honda Fit 1,5 Hybrid eCVT for the summer break. The car is fresh from a mid-life refresh and we were one of the first publications to get our hands on the newest version. 

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Updated 

The Honda Fit 1,5 Hybrid underwent a mild facelift before the end of 2023. The updated version builds on the positives of its ‘predecessor’ adding a slightly revised appearance and a few other changes.

The stylistic changes are very slight. In fact, you’d have to be a real Honda-head or have both versions parked side-by-side to notice the differences.  At any rate, the Fit maintains that mini van-like appearance, with tall sides and a steeply cut-off rear. More on the practicality this brings in a moment.

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More Power 

The biggest news, is the hike in power from 80 to 90 kW. The increase in oomph is largely down to the electric component of the hybrid drive system. The engine still delivers its torque, an unchanged 253 N.m, to the front axle through a CVT. 

The drivetrain is well suited to this little car. We spent a little more time than we’d have preferred dealing with traffic in and around the Cape CBD and surrounds. The hybrid drivetrain is great for that sort of stop-start driving. If speeds stay low, the internal combustion engine (ICE) isn’t called into duty for quite a while.

We drove a total of 1 268 km during the summer break over a variety of roads. During that time we filled the tank of the Honda once. The average fuel consumption was just 4,6 L/100 km. That’s a bit more than Honda’s claim, but a darn good return nonetheless. 

Full Suite of Kit

The interior of the Fit Hybrid was already pretty well fitted with standard mod-cons. There’s a full-colour touchscreen infotainment system with the usual connectivity, USB ports and a charging socket. Honda has added a wireless mobile phone charger for added convenience.

The rear-facing camera and compact dimensions meant that we could manoeuvre into the tightest parking spots and deal with thick traffic without worrying about whether we’d scrape past some numpty who parked where they shouldn’t. 

The aircon requires special mention as it chilled the cabin to the point that we often took to deactivating it for periods as occupants were starting to feel chilly. How, err… cool is that?

Practical and Comfy

Another thing worth mentioning during our prolonged review period with the Honda Fit is that it has loads of space. We had to make more than one airport run this past summer break. Each time, our guests, initially quite puzzled why we arrived in such a small car, were surprised by how much luggage the boot swallowed. Only once did we remove the parcel shelf to stand a few bags up.

The softly sprung suspension soaked up all road imperfections with ease. There is no sporting pretense about this car’s persona, which makes it an excellent steer within the confines of a log-jammed city.

Summary                                                                                                  

The Fit is an ideal foil for someone who lives in a large city, particularly someone who doesn’t travel far and wide. The small hybrid powertrain is ideally suited to lower speeds where it can lean on the lithium-ion battery for motivation, with the ICE only called in for acceleration and charging duties.

The Fit’s biggest fault, however, is its price. We mentioned the high price when it was launched locally in 2021. Since then the price (as with all other new cars) has only gone one way… up. The Fit Hybrid is the better part of R550k at the moment, which is hard number for most people to justify.

Model: Honda Fit 1,5 Hybrid eCVT
Price: R544 900
Engine: 1,5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Transmission: CVT FWD
Max power: 90 kW
Max torque: 253 N.m
0-100 km/h: n/a
Top speed: 175 km/h
Fuel consumption: 3,7 L/100 km (4,7 during review period)