The stock horsepower for a Honda Fit generally falls in the 117–130 hp range, depending on the generation and the market. In the United States, late-model Fits were rated at 130 hp, while earlier generations were closer to 117 hp. Note that the Honda Fit was discontinued in the U.S. after the 2020 model year, though the car lives on in many other markets as the Jazz.
The Honda Fit, known as the Jazz in many parts of the world, uses a 1.5-liter inline-four with i-VTEC. Over its generations, power ratings have shifted modestly as Honda refined the engine and tuning for different regions and emissions standards. This article breaks down the stock horsepower by major generation, highlights regional differences, and comments on what it takes to push horsepower higher through upgrades.
Stock horsepower by generation and market
Below is a concise look at stock horsepower by major generation to show how the numbers evolved over time.
- Gen 1 (2007–2008): about 117 hp
- Gen 2 (2009–2014): roughly 117–122 hp, depending on trim and market
- Gen 3 (2015–2020): 130 hp (the common figure for US-facing models and many other markets)
As a result, the Honda Fit’s stock horsepower has generally trended upward over the years, with the most notable increase occurring with the Gen 3 redesign in 2015.
Potential upgrades to increase horsepower
For readers curious about increasing horsepower, here are common approaches and the potential gains, noting that results vary by model year and that modifications can affect reliability and warranty.
- Intake, exhaust, and ECU tuning: modest gains are common, often in the 5–15% range; for many Fits this translates to roughly 5–20 extra horsepower, depending on the baseline configuration.
- Bolt-on engine upgrades (throttle, cam timing adjustments where applicable): can yield small, incremental gains; substantial gains typically require more extensive work.
- Forced induction (turbo or supercharger): aftermarket turbo/supercharger setups exist in some markets; potential horsepower can rise to 170–200+ hp with comprehensive supporting modifications, but this is non-factory work and will impact reliability, emissions, and warranty.
- Engine swaps or major performance builds: some enthusiasts pursue swaps (e.g., higher-output Honda engines) for power well above 200 hp; these projects are complex, expensive, and not practical for most owners.
In short, modest gains are achievable with bolt-ons and tuning, while substantial power typically requires significant, custom work and should be weighed against cost, reliability, and legal considerations.
Market status and regional variations
Regional availability and tuning can affect horsepower figures and how people experience the Fit. The U.S. market stopped selling new Fits after the 2020 model year, while the model continues in many other countries under the Jazz name with similar engine specs but subject to local emissions and tuning rules.
- United States: final years of sale were the 2019–2020 Fit, rated at about 130 hp; no new models have been sold in the U.S. since 2020.
- Worldwide: known as the Jazz in Europe, Asia, and other regions, with the 1.5L i-VTEC engine typically delivering around 120–130 hp depending on local tuning and emissions requirements.
- Factory vs. aftermarket: Honda provides factory horsepower ratings, while aftermarket upgrades vary by market and may affect warranty and legality.
Regional differences are driven more by emissions standards and tuning choices than by fundamental changes to the engine architecture.
Summary
Horsepower in the Honda Fit is primarily a function of generation and market. Stock figures range from about 117 hp in the earliest models to 130 hp in the late-gen variants most familiar in the U.S. The model's U.S. sale ended after 2020, but the Jazz continues elsewhere with similar power ratings. If you want more power, bolt-ons and ECU tuning offer modest gains, while forced induction or engine swaps can yield much larger increases at a high cost and with greater risk to reliability and emissions compliance. Buyers should balance power goals with practicality and local regulations.