When Was the Last Year of the Manual-Transmission Honda Fit?

The last model year you could buy a new Honda Fit with a manual transmission in the United States was 2020. The Fit was discontinued in the U.S. after the 2020 model year, and the subsequent generation (sold as the Jazz in many markets) moved away from manual gearboxes. Availability can vary by region, but in most major markets the manual option ended around the 2020 transition.

United States: 2020 Was the Final Year

Honda offered a 6-speed manual on the Fit through the end of its U.S. run in 2020. In the third-generation model (2015–2020), manuals were available on lower trims: LX and EX early in the run, and LX and Sport after the 2018 refresh. When Honda pulled the Fit from the U.S. lineup after 2020, it also marked the end of new manual-transmission Fits in this market.

How It Played Out in Other Markets

Globally, the Fit is also known as the Jazz. The fourth generation, introduced in 2020 in many regions, emphasized hybrid drivetrains (e:HEV) paired with an e-CVT and generally dropped the manual option. As a result, manual-transmission availability wound down around the same time as the platform change, though timelines vary slightly by country and inventory.

Below is a quick look at the last years manuals were effectively available in key markets. This helps contextualize regional differences as the model transitioned to hybrid-focused lineups.

• United States: 2020 (Fit discontinued; 6-speed manual offered on LX and Sport)
• Canada: 2020 (Fit discontinued; manuals offered on lower trims up to the end)
• Europe: Transitioned to hybrid-only Jazz around 2020/2021; manuals effectively ended with the outgoing third-gen
• Japan: Fourth-gen Fit launched in 2020 without a manual; manuals effectively ended with the prior generation’s run

While exact end dates can differ by local model-year conventions and remaining stock, the practical cutoff for new manual Fits in major markets coincided with the 2020 shift to the next-generation, hybrid-led lineup.

Why the Manual Fit Disappeared

Multiple industry forces drove Honda’s decision to end the manual option on the Fit/Jazz as the model evolved. Understanding these factors provides context for the broader market shift away from stick shifts.

• Falling demand: Manual take rates declined steadily as automatics and CVTs improved.
• Efficiency and emissions: Modern CVTs and hybrid systems meet regulatory targets more easily than manuals.
• Cost and complexity: Supporting multiple powertrain variants adds engineering and compliance costs for low-volume manuals.
• Product strategy: The fourth-gen Jazz prioritized hybrid powertrains and urban efficiency, making manuals a mismatch.

Taken together, these trends made manuals less viable in subcompact segments, especially as brands pivoted to electrification and stricter emissions standards.

How to Verify for Your Country or a Specific Trim

If you’re shopping used or want to confirm availability for a particular market and trim, these steps can help you verify with confidence.

1. Check official brochures and price guides from the relevant model year (manufacturer archives often list transmission options by trim).
2. Review dealer order guides or window stickers (Monroney labels) for specific vehicles to confirm the factory transmission.
3. Use a VIN decoder or OEM build sheet lookup to see the original transmission specification.
4. Consult regional press releases or media kits from Honda that detail powertrain changes by generation.

These sources provide authoritative confirmation and can clarify edge cases where market timing or trim-level changes created exceptions.

Summary

In the United States, the last year the Honda Fit was offered with a manual transmission was 2020. Across most major markets, manual options ended around the same time as Honda transitioned the nameplate (Jazz in many regions) to a hybrid-focused lineup that no longer included a manual gearbox.

Why did Honda quit making the Fit?

Honda discontinued the Fit in North America for the 2021 model year due to declining sales and a shift in consumer preference towards crossover SUVs like the Honda HR-V, which offered more profit for Honda. The Fit’s production was replaced by increased HR-V output, as the crossover also appealed to buyers with its combination of space, tech, and ride quality. 
Key Reasons for Discontinuation

• Changing Market Trends: The automotive market saw a significant shift from small, subcompact cars to larger crossover SUVs. 
• Declining Sales: The Honda Fit experienced decreasing sales in the years leading up to its discontinuation, making it less profitable for the company. 
• Increased Profitability of HR-V: The Honda HR-V, a small SUV, could be produced at the same factory as the Fit but offered significantly higher profit margins per unit. 
• Strategic Decision to Pivot: Honda decided to increase production of the HR-V to capture a larger share of the growing crossover market and maximize profitability, effectively ending the Fit’s run in North America. 
• Lack of a Modern Redesign: A slow redesign process for the Fit in the North American market also contributed to its decline. 

What Replaced It

• While the Fit had a successor in other parts of the world (known as the Honda Jazz), the Honda HR-V became the de facto replacement for the Fit in North America. 
• The HR-V is a crossover SUV that offered a similar level of practicality and versatility as the Fit but in a different vehicle segment. 

What was the last model year of the Honda Fit?

The last model year for the Honda Fit in the United States was 2020, after which production ceased due to falling consumer demand for subcompact cars and the rise in popularity of SUVs like the Honda HR-V. 
Key Points:

• Discontinuation in North America: Honda stopped selling the Fit in the US market after the 2020 model year. 
• Reason for Discontinuation: The primary reasons were a decline in subcompact car sales and a shift in consumer preferences towards crossovers and SUVs, which are more profitable for Honda. 
• Global Availability: While discontinued in North America, new generations of the Honda Fit are still sold in other markets, such as Japan, China, and Europe. 
• Replacement: The Honda HR-V, a similarly practical small crossover, is often recommended as a replacement for the Fit in the US market. 

Did the Honda Fit have a manual transmission?

Transmission options include a 6-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT) with available paddle shifters adopted from the Civic.