Importing a Honda Fit from the USA: generations, model years and what to check

The Honda Fit (Jazz in some markets) is a small, practical hatchback valued in Georgia for three reasons: a reliable Honda engine, a remarkably roomy cabin for its size, and low running costs. It appears often and cheaply on US auctions (Copart, IAAI). The Fit's key quirk for customs: it always uses a 1.5L engine (≈1497 cc) — the small displacement means one of the lowest excises on the market. Below are the generations, model years and what to check before you buy.

Generations and model years

1st generation (GD), 2007–2008

The first US Fit — a 1.5L petrol (~109 hp), FWD. Rare and very old at auction today; the year-by-year table below no longer details it.

2nd generation (GE), 2009–2013

Bigger and more sorted — a 1.5L (L15A, ~117 hp), a 5-speed manual or automatic. This is where the famous "Magic Seat" appeared (fold-flat rear seats that transform the cabin). FWD, reliable, a cheap budget pick.

2014: there was no US model year

Note: Honda skipped the 2014 model year in the US — the 2nd generation ended with 2013 and the 3rd generation arrived straight as a 2015. So the US-spec Fit "jumps" from 2013 to 2015.

3rd generation (GK), 2015–2020

All-new — a 1.5L Earth Dreams (L15B, ~130 hp), a 6-speed manual or CVT, an even roomier cabin. The 2018 facelift added a Sport trim, a restyled front and made Honda Sensing available. This is the last generation sold in the US.

4th generation (GR), 2020+ — not sold in the US

The new e:HEV hybrid Fit/Jazz never came to the US, so it does not appear at US auctions. On Copart, "Fit" = 2007–2020 petrol. After 2020 the Fit was discontinued in the US (the HR-V took its place) — so stock is finite and shrinking.

Fit year by year — 2009 to 2020

Below, each model year is covered separately — what changed that year and what to keep in mind when importing in 2026 (age and excise). The engine is always 1.5L, so only age moves the excise — and the baseline is low thanks to the small displacement.

Fit 2009

The start of the 2nd generation (GE) — a full redesign, bigger, the Magic Seat, a 1.5L 117 hp. In 2026 it is well over 6 years old (triple excise), but thanks to the small 1.5L the customs are still modest — and it is the cheapest Fit at auction.

Fit 2010

A carryover of 2009 with no major changes — a reliable, cheap first car or city runabout. Same 1.5L. Over 6 years old, but the small engine keeps the excise at the low end.

Fit 2011

Still GE — reliable and economical. A budget choice for anyone who wants minimal import and customs costs. Importing a Honda Fit 2011 from the USA works out cheap precisely because of the small-displacement engine.

Fit 2012

A minor update, with a better-equipped Sport trim. Reliable and easy to maintain. Over 6 years old → the higher excise rate, though the 1.5L reduces it.

Fit 2013

The final GE year — the most sorted of this generation. After it, the US skipped 2014. If you want a 2nd generation, 2013 is the best pick. It is old, but the small engine still helps at customs.

Fit 2014 — does not exist in the US

Honda did not build a 2014 model year for the US: the 2nd generation ended with 2013 and the 3rd began with 2015. If you see a "2014 Fit" at auction, check the VIN — it is most likely a 2013 or 2015 listed incorrectly.

Fit 2015

An all-new 3rd generation (GK): a 1.5L Earth Dreams (130 hp), a 6-speed manual or CVT, an even roomier cabin and modern multimedia. Importing a Honda Fit 2015 from the USA is a good choice — newer tech, still small displacement and the lowest excise in its generation.

Fit 2016

A carryover of 2015 — reliable, well-equipped EX/EX-L. The same 130 hp engine. Over 6 years old (2026), but the small displacement keeps the excise at the low end.

Fit 2017

Still pre-facelift GK — sorted and economical. The CVT is common, with manuals around too. A good balance of price and recency in the budget class.

Fit 2018

The facelift: a Sport trim added, a restyled front bumper and Honda Sensing made available (with the CVT). Importing a Honda Fit 2018 from the USA pays off — newer safety systems together with the small engine's low excise.

Fit 2019

Honda Sensing more widely available, a sorted late-GK car. Just over 6 years old in 2026 — factor in the excise, though the 1.5L keeps it light.

Fit 2020

The final Fit year in the US — the newest and most sorted, after which the model was discontinued. It turns 6 in 2026 (borderline excise — confirm with the calculator). If you want the newest, cheapest-to-clear Fit, 2020 is the best pick — and stock is shrinking.

For the exact customs on any year see the 2026 excise rules or use the calculator.

Engine and drivetrain — what to know

• 1.5L petrol: the only engine on every US-spec Fit (≈1497 cc). The small displacement = a low excise — the Fit's main financial edge.
• Turbo/hybrid: the US Fit never had a turbo or a hybrid. The e:HEV hybrid was only sold in Europe/Asia.
• Drivetrain: front-wheel drive only — there was never an AWD version. If you need all-wheel drive for the mountains, see the Honda CR-V.
• Transmission: 5MT/5AT (GE) or 6MT/CVT (GK). For the city the CVT is the most common.

What to check before bidding

• Damage history: the Fit is cheap, so it often ends up with a salvage title even for light damage — check the damage type and the frame.
• Takata airbag (recall): the 2nd generation (GE) was caught in the massive Takata airbag recall — be sure to check the VIN for whether it has been replaced.
• CVT (GK): listen to the transmission — there should be no shudder or hesitation under acceleration.
• Manual clutch: if it is a 5MT/6MT, check the clutch grip and shift smoothness.
• Rust: on older GE cars check the underbody and wheel arches.

To assess a damaged lot see the Copart guide and run a VIN check.

Common problems — what to watch for

The Fit is very reliable overall, but it has known weak spots:

• GE (2009–2013): the Takata airbag recall (check the VIN), and occasional rust on older cars.
• GK (2015–2020): early CVT noise/shudder, and on some cars thin paint and poor sound deadening (it is a small car — more cabin noise).
• General: test the A/C, electrics and infotainment — on damaged lots these are often the affected parts.

Fuel economy and mileage

The Fit's main appeal is economy: the 1.5L uses about 6–7 L/100 km in the city and down to 5 on the highway. Thanks to the Magic Seat, the cabin punches above its class — the fold-flat seats let you load surprisingly large items. The Fit is durable: with proper care, 250,000+ km is normal. At auction, 100,000–180,000 km (60,000–110,000 miles) is acceptable since the car is cheap to begin with.

Fit vs the rivals — Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa

The Fit's main edge is the unique Magic Seat cabin space and Honda reliability in the cheap class. The Toyota Yaris is also reliable and economical but has a narrower cabin. The Hyundai Accent is cheaper to buy but depreciates faster. The Nissan Versa is roomy, but be careful about its CVT life. If you want maximum space and minimum import + customs cost in a small car, the Fit is a strong pick. If you need space/AWD, see the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V.

Why the Fit is popular in Georgia

The Fit combines a low purchase price at auction, one of the lowest excises around (thanks to the small 1.5L engine) and remarkable economy. The Magic Seat cabin makes it an ideal city car, a first car or an economical option for a driver. Parts are cheap and available. The only limitation is FWD and small size: for mountainous, rough roads an all-wheel-drive crossover is better.

Customs and price

The Fit's excise depends essentially only on age, because the engine is always a small 1.5L — so the displacement lever stays permanently at the low end. A model under 6 years (≈2020) is significantly cheaper, and even an older Fit stays a cheap excise thanks to the small engine. Add the low purchase price and the Fit is often the cheapest car to import overall. See the 2026 excise rules. For the exact cost of a specific lot use the calculator or get a personal quote.