We agree that the headline is a bit vague, and the one-liner that followed doesn’t help clear the air either. But you have to feel for us because what you see here is the all-new Honda Fit. It doesn’t look like a Honda. Maybe it does for the Japanese market but not as a global product. For the record, this Honda will ditch the Fit nameplate for Jazz in markets such as Thailand and India. Although, we do have doubts about it landing on our shores — more on that in a bit.

So, why do we think that the new Fit is not a fitting Honda? The answer is simple – it looks conservative. Yes, it will receive minute styling tweaks for different markets around the globe, but it just isn’t as striking to look at as its predecessor. It seems as if those responsible for infesting the third-gen model with creases were locked in a cell while those who like rounded things gave the Fit the final makeover. Some might even tag it “unFit”.

Honda has also played safe for the interiors. The Honda e-like two-spoke, multifunction steering wheel looks elegant, and so does the fully-digital instrument cluster. A touchscreen infotainment system, which will become the control centre for Honda Connect, dominates the central section of the dashboard. What’s weird is that the centre console doesn’t seem to line-up properly with the placement of the display. The new Fit will become the model to get Honda Connect on-board communications module which will give birth to several features, such as remote control of some vehicle functions and emergency support service.

It is the practical stuff that the Fit has always possessed and still does. The fourth-gen model retains impressive visibility from all possible angles and, although Honda hasn’t revealed any figures yet, will be amongst the roomiest cars in the segment. Depending on the market, the Fit will come as standard with Honda Sensing technology. That ropes in a front wide-view camera, which works with eight sonar sensors front and back for automatic emergency braking.

Powertrain? Well, the specifications are not out yet. However, one of the options will be Honda’s new 2-motor hybrid system. That will fall under the company’s “e:HEV” range. It is not a mild-hybrid system but a proper one. What that means is that the Fit will be able to run, for some kilometres, on electric power alone.

The new Honda Fit will go on sale in its home country in February next year. Later, it will launch in several other markets around the globe. Going by how its Jazz has performed in India over the years, we doubt Honda will introduce the new model here. Would you like to see it on sale in India?