Honda Fit vs Toyota Vitz

Sub compact super mini cars have been around for decades as each car manufacturer appealed to the market segment that needed a small and smart car, which is easy to park and manoeuvre. In 2001, Toyota introduced the Vitz RS and Honda launched the Jazz or Fit as sporty hatchbacks for Japan and the rest of the world. On our local used car market we look at two fierce rivals, the 2002 1.5 litre petrol Toyota Vitz RS and Honda Jazz or Fit.

Performance
The Vitz RS’s 1NZ-FE VVTi and the Honda Fit’s GD3 L15A VTEC 1.5 litre engines are both punchy and responsive as they deliver the same impressive acceleration and pulling power despite their small engine capacities. Vitz RS and Honda Jazz have similar intelligent valve timing and lift control systems. Vitz has the Toyota Intelligent Variable Valve timing system (VVTi) while Honda Jazz has the intelligent Variable valve technology (VTEC). This technology uses hydraulic and electrical intervention to select between multiple camshaft and valve lifting profiles optimised for both low and high engine revolution (rpm) operation.

The outcome is improved engine power output and greater fuel economy. Vitz RS’ VVTi system rocks the double overhead camshaftlobes (DOHC) to lift 16 valves for a better high end torque. This is a result of less restricted air inflow to allow ample power and reasonable fuel economy. Honda Fit’s single overhead camshaft (SOHC) has a complex configuration of rocker arms which lifts four valves for each cylinder.

SOHC has better low end torque which enhances the Honda Jazz’s power at low revolutions and gives it better fuel economy than the Vitz. Honda’s Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) intelligently adapts and matches the gear ratios to throttle pressure making acceleration smoother and improving engine response and fuel economy.

Handling
The Vitz RS and Honda Fit have good road holding despite their small sizes. Both cars have Macpherson struts and coil springs on their front axle suspension, while the rear suspension has torsion beams and coil springs. This suspension combination is stiff and suitable for sporty high speed driving, overtaking and corner handling.
On winding highways down hillsides, the Vitz and the Fit will not exhibit body roll because of the stiff suspension and anti-roll bars. On uneven surfaces like corrugated dirt roads, the suspension has strong resistance to the compression and it settles quickly leaving no residual movement.

Styling, safety and comfort
The Vitz and Jazz have got attractive compact, rounded and sporty looks emphasised by the side, front and rear spoiler kit. The Vitz RS has a futuristic pod shaped instrument cluster with a digital display located in an awkward ‘not easy to see’ place at the centre of the car dashboard.

On the other hand, the Jazz instrument cluster is clear and located in front of the driver with clear rally type round gauges. The Jazz interior finish, though largely vinyl like the Vitz, has better duo tone finish that improves the plastic look. The two rivals Vitz RS and Jazz are fitted with some amenities like air conditioning, power windows, fabric seats and a CD player.

Jazz takes convenience to a higher level when it provides the CVT7 with the steering operated toggles for upward and downward gear shifts like modern rally cars. Honda Jazz excels in the comfort and convenience segment with its ultra seat which offers multiple seating arrangements: normal, utility, long, tall and refresh which create a lower floor for taller people and bigger cargo.

This is achievable because the Jazz has bigger dimensions and its fuel tank is located under the driver and front passenger seat allowing a lower seat or ability to fold down for a flat and bigger load space. Both the Vitz RS and Jazz meet international safety standards and are equipped with safety features like airbags (SRS) and Anti-locking brakes (ABS).

Reliability and resale value
The Vitz RS and Jazz are very reliable cars if bought in sound technical conditions. They are strong, well crafted and built with high quality standards incorporated.
The after sales routine maintenance parts are cheaper and easier to find for the Vitz RS. Honda Jazz has limited genuine service parts available down town. Access to new Honda body or suspension parts is difficult, the used parts market also has limited availability of body and suspension parts. The Vitz RS and the Jazz have a reasonable resale value.

Verdict
In the Honda Fit vs Toyota Vitz duel, the Honda Fit narrowly wins the duel with four star points for better fuel economy, good handling, better convenient features, rear passenger comfort and load space and a good resale value.
Vitz RS trails with a narrow margin of three star points for good handling, reliable maintenance and parts availability and a good resale value.