I would rather give up my long trousers than my flight. If your fitness doesn't change, it's better to push it into the sea. There are too many "tiger and wolf words" about Fit, which shows that Chinese consumers love the Fit model very much.
The new fourth-generation Fit has also been launched recently, with a price range of 81,800-108,800 yuan. In the author's opinion, the Fit was undoubtedly a successful model before. It satisfied people's requirements when buying a new car, such as brand value, durability, fuel economy, high value retention rate, etc.
Next, let’s take a look at why previous generations of Fit were so successful, and let’s talk about whether the new fourth-generation Fit can continue to write the previous sales myth?
First-generation Fit: The beginning of a legend
Around 2004, Guangzhou Honda officially introduced the first-generation domestic Fit, which was also the beginning of Fit’s “deification”. With its outstanding appearance at the time, the blessing of the Honda logo and a fairly sincere selling price, it was very popular among domestic consumers as soon as it was launched.
In that era, owning a Xiali was a symbol of "rich people". Most of the joint venture cars on the road were Jetta, Santana, and Shenlong Fukang. Later, the emergence of the hatchback version of the Fit broke people's traditional three-car model. The concept of vans has also begun to slowly accept hatchbacks.
The appearance of the first-generation Fit looks quite similar to the design of the Japanese car K-Car, but its front end is more reasonable, without the square and naive K-Car, with triangular headlights and triangles. The center grille looks more youthful, and the body height is higher, which maximizes the seating and use space in the car. Space utilization has always been the strength of Japanese cars.
The domestic version of the first-generation Fit is equipped with a 1.3L i-DSi engine or a 1.5L i-VTEC engine, matched with a 5-speed manual or CVT gearbox. There is nothing to say about the stability of the engine, but due to the insufficient technology of the CVT gearbox at that time, frequent failures occurred later. Fortunately, at that time, most consumers purchased manual transmission models, which was able to maintain the reputation of the Fit.
Second Generation Fit: The Original Grocery Cart
In 2008, the aesthetics of Chinese consumers at that time changed from the square Jetta and Santana era superman to gradually becoming more and more mellow. Santana Zhijun and Toyota Corolla. The second-generation Fit has finally arrived in the Chinese market at this point in time. From the appearance point of view, the second-generation Fit has become more plump and cute, and the lines on the hood cover also show a sporty shadow. Such an appearance is placed in the Chinese market. It’s not out of date now either.
The interior design of the second-generation Fit has changed a lot. The recessed three-spoke honeycomb steering wheel is very sporty, and there are more and more user-friendly storage spaces. The Fit has made its internal storage space perfect Ultimately, what is not very satisfactory is the Fit's sound insulation and the texture of the interior plastics.
The second-generation Fit is equipped with a 1.3L or 1.5L i-VTEC engine, matched with a 5-speed manual or 5AT automatic transmission, with maximum horsepower of 99Ps and 120Ps respectively. With such engine power performance at that time, coupled with its compact and lightweight body, this was what the original "grocery cart" looked like.
Third-generation Fit: Radical supercar GK5
Perhaps consumers are tired of the cuteness and sleekness of Fit. With the launch of the third-generation model, it has changed.
The emergence of the third-generation Fit GK5 has transformed its once naive appearance into a slightly sharper "supercar" uniform. Especially the front face, side waistline and rear taillight outline give GK5 a full fighting atmosphere.
The exterior design is radical, and the interior is also radical, but the user-friendly storage compartments have not decreased at all. The center console that is slightly tilted towards the driver is easy for the driver to operate, but the texture of the interior materials Without improvement, poor sound insulation has become a family tradition.
This Fit is equipped with a 1.5L Earth Dream engine with a maximum horsepower of 131Ps. It also uses a new welding process to reduce the weight of the body. It can accelerate from 100 kilometers to 100 kilometers in more than 8 seconds, turning it from a grocery cart to a A civilian supercar. Not only does it run fast, it is also very fuel-efficient. According to feedback from car owners, the comprehensive fuel consumption is about 6L/100km.
Whether for home use or modified for the track, GK5 is enough.
The third-generation Fit has consistently topped the sales list of small cars, and its value retention rate is also ridiculously high. If it were not for the implementation of the National VI emission standards, I personally feel that the sales myth of the third-generation Fit could continue for another two years.
Fourth Generation Fit: Return to the Origin
I originally thought that the design of the fourth generation Fit might continue its radical appearance, but Honda made a 180-degree turn.
From the cutting-edge supercar GK5 to the current cute car with big eyes, it’s like you are used to seeing Victoria’s Secret supermodels on the catwalk and suddenly returned to the high school campus. The appearance design of the fourth-generation Fit has changed so suddenly. Can the cute appearance still attract consumers?
The front face and headlights of the new Fit look more rounded, without the previous sporty atmosphere, but they look more friendly. The design of the rear taillights also echoes the headlights. The original sharp and angular rear taillights have been replaced with round headlights. The domestic version of China Open has slightly changed, and this has become a controversial aspect of its appearance.
Appearance is a matter of benevolence and wisdom. Personally, I prefer the appearance design of the overseas version of the standard version.
The exterior has been overhauled, as has the interior.
It is rumored that Kenki Tanaka, the designer responsible for the new generation of Fit's interior, said that its design was inspired by "ホテルのタオル" translated into Chinese as "hotel towel" - simple, comfortable and soft , high water absorption. According to the author, can it be understood as: simple - simple design, comfortable and soft - comfortable riding experience, high water absorbency - huge power pack?
The interior of the new Fit has a completely new design, using a two-spoke steering wheel, and comes standard with instruments similar to "Laotoule". High-end models are equipped with an LCD screen, but this central control screen looks It really feels a bit cheap!
The lowest trim model does not have speakers, rear wipers and plastic wheel covers?
Yes! Compared with the third-generation Fit, the starting price of the fourth-generation Fit has increased by 8,000 yuan, but this is because the new car has canceled the manual transmission model, and the starting price of the CVT automatic version is the same as the old model. From the configuration point of view, the lowest configuration of the fourth-generation Fit of 81,800 yuan seems almost interesting.
Its standard configuration includes halogen headlights, 15-inch steel rims, body stabilization system, 7-inch LCD instrument, manual air conditioning, etc. Compared with the old lowest-end model, it has more body parts mandated by regulations. The auxiliary system, but without the car audio system, wheel covers and rear wiper, isn't this "beggar's version" with reduced configurations too perfunctory?
Let’s talk about which model is worth buying.
The second-lowest version of the Chaoxiang Edition is priced at 86,800 yuan, and adds hard configurations such as a sound system (2 in the front), 15-inch steel rims with wheel covers, rear wipers, etc., but the overall configuration Still not very popular, still looking like a beggar's version.
When the price rises to the trendy running version of 95,800 yuan, the configuration adds electric sunroof, two-color body, head air curtain, body side surrounds and other configurations. The visual effect of the vehicle has been improved, but in addition to safety Except for airbags, most of them are not practical configurations, and the price difference of 9,000 yuan seems not worth it.
Coming to the RMB 104,800 Chaoao Pro version, it adds 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, ACC adaptive cruise, leather steering wheel, paddle shifters, active braking and other configurations, which is relatively practical. higher. However, who will buy it at a price of nearly 130,000? After all, the current low-priced Audi A3 is only 130,000 yuan.
What we are talking about now are just some of the "careful tips" on the configuration of the domestically produced Fit. Let's talk about the configuration reduction items of the domestic version and the overseas version.
As for the reduced configuration, the starting price of the new Fit in China is 81,800 yuan, which is indeed lower than the overseas version’s starting price of more than 90,000 yuan.
But the original flavor of the overseas version is gone. Is this a result that today’s consumers want?
The engine is still a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, which meets the National VI emission standards. It is equipped with a CVT gearbox. The maximum horsepower of 131Ps and the maximum torque of 155N·m are the same as those of the previous three generations of Fit. However, the officially announced 100 kilometers The acceleration takes more than 10 seconds, which is obviously slower than the third-generation Fit.
Summary
From the first generation Fit to the third generation Fit, it is undoubtedly a very successful model. But reducing specs like the fourth-generation Fit really overdraws people’s expectations for it.
As I write this, I can’t help but ask myself a question. Why was the former Fit so successful?
Perhaps in that era, there were enough cost-effective family cars, but the A0-class and A-class car markets were mostly monopolized by joint venture cars with shabby configurations. But "Thirty years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi", now some A-class domestic cars are no worse than joint venture cars.
In the domestic family car market, just to give you an example, the Changan Eado PLUS is equipped with a 1.4T Blue Whale engine. It is not inferior to it at all in terms of power, space, and technological configuration, but the brand strength may be slightly inferior. One chip. In short, domestically produced cars are also gradually growing, so don’t buy a car just for sentiment and become a leek. Buying the most cost-effective and suitable one is the wisest choice.
Would you still choose the fourth-generation Fit among the 100,000-class family cars?
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.