Dongfeng Honda, one of 2 companies that distribute Honda cars in China, brings an old namesake back to “life” – pun intended – 7 years after the name was discontinued. The all-new fourth-generation Honda Fit, or better known as Honda Jazz here, goes on sale in China under Dongfeng Honda as the Honda Life.

In case you’re wondering, the Honda Fit went on sale in China with a different grille compared to the Japanese Fit back in August. But the Fit is sold by Guangqi Honda (GAC Honda), another distributor that Honda is associated with. China is a big market and like many manufacturers, Honda has two local joint venture partners - Guangqi Honda and Dongfeng Honda - each selling slightly different models. 

You can think of the Honda Life as the Fit’s twin. The Life is Dongfeng Honda’s representative to target the growing Generation Z (people born after 1995) in China.

Power is said to come from a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine (L15B5) mated to a CVT-type transmission that produces 131 PS and 155 Nm. The L15B5 engine is a unit manufactured by Dongfeng Honda itself.

Dongfeng Honda will not be offering the 1.5-litre i-MMD e:HEV engine either. 

Two styles are available for the market, one of which is the SUV-looking Fit Crosstar, also available in Japan, while the other is the standard Fit with a sporty aero-kit installed.

Closer to home, the fourth-generation Honda Jazz will not be coming to Malaysia, instead, we will be waiting for the Honda City Hatchback to replace the Jazz as Honda’s B-segment hatchback representative.