Remember the Honda Fit?
Of course you do. Who could forget that pint-sized bruiser? The Honda Fit was the king of squeezing big practicality into a tiny package, all while sipping fuel like it was rationed. It was easy to love – until America collectively fell in love with crossovers and forgot about hatchbacks.
But here’s something surprising: outside the US, the Fit is called the Jazz. And if that sounds unusual, the Jazz name was once used for something completely different – a diesel-powered SUV built for off-roading.
Honda
Let us explain. The Fit and Jazz hatchbacks became known for their smart design, small size, and everyday practicality. But the Jazz name actually goes back further. Before the hatchback, Honda used it for a sturdy little 4WD that seemed more at home on a muddy trail than in a grocery store parking lot.
Flashback to October 16, 1993: Honda needed something to plug a gap in its lineup. But this wasn’t just a hatchback with some chunky tires bolted on. Nope, this Jazz was basically an Isuzu in Honda clothing.
Honda
The Honda Fit and Jazz Connection
The Honda Fit arrived in 2001 and quickly became known as a small car that could do a lot. In most countries outside the US, it was called the Jazz. So, depending on where you lived, you drove either a Fit or a Jazz, but they were the same smart hatchback.
What made it special was its practical interior, fuel-efficient engines, and small size that made parking easy. It was a smart alternative to larger family cars, without making you sacrifice space for your belongings or friends – and fun to drive, too. We just wish Honda finds it in their hearts to bring back the nameplate.
But here’s the twist: the Jazz name had already been used on a totally different Honda, long before the first Fit ever rolled off the line. That original Jazz was on a mission that had nothing to do with sipping fuel or city driving.
Honda
The Honda Jazz Was Actually an Isuzu Mu
Back in the early ’90s, Japan was wild about recreational vehicles. The Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Hilux Surf were flying off lots, but Honda? They didn’t have a true off-roader to throw into the mix.
So Honda did what any resourceful carmaker would do: it borrowed from its friends. Rover helped out with the Crossroad, and Isuzu stepped in with the Mu.
So in October 1993, the Honda Jazz hit the scene – a rebadged Isuzu Mu, right down to its compact SUV shape and part-time 4WD. The changes? Mostly skin-deep: a new grille, some different wheels, Honda badges, fresh paint, and a few tweaks inside.
Isuzu
Under the hood, you got a 3.1-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 118 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. Buyers could pick between a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto – take your pick.
The Isuzu Mu first showed up in 1989 as a compact two-seater, but it soon got more body styles. Thanks to its ladder-frame chassis and tough bones, it was a real-deal off-roader – not just a crossover playing dress-up.
Honda’s badge-engineering phase didn’t last long. Soon enough, they rolled out their own hits: Odyssey, CR-V, Step Wagon – the works. These homegrown models let Honda ride the SUV wave without leaning on anyone else’s hardware.
So next time you see a Honda Jazz zipping around town, remember: that name once belonged to a diesel-chugging, four-wheel-drive SUV. Talk about a split personality.
Honda
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