Honda Fit vs Hyundai Grand i10

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Honda Fit in South Africa

Honda Fit

1.5 Hybrid e:HEV Hybrid Automatic
ZAR 380,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 109 kW 🔧 253 Nm ⛽ 26.3 km/l
VS
Hyundai Grand i10 in South Africa

Hyundai Grand i10

1.2 Fluid Petrol Manual
ZAR 242,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 61 kW 🔧 114 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Fit
Fuel Economy Fit
🛡 Safety Fit
📦 Practicality Grand i10
🔑 Ownership Grand i10
Grand i10 starts ZAR 380500 cheaper Fit from ZAR 380,500 · Grand i10 from ZAR 218,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Fit Grand i10
Engine Power 109 kW 61 kW
Torque 253 Nm 114 Nm
Engine Size 1498 cc 1197 cc
Claimed Mileage 26.3 km/l 16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance 135 mm 170 mm
Boot / Load Bay 304 l 235 l
Airbags 6 6
Kerb Weight 1150 kg 975 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 3 5

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Fit has a slight advantage, but Grand i10 remains highly competitive.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Fit +21 pts
Efficiency Fit +29 pts
Safety Fit +16 pts
Practicality Grand i10 +6 pts
Ownership Grand i10 +14 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Fit

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
Weak Spots
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Grand i10

Strengths
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
Best suited to: Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

Fit

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment

Grand i10

  • Large families needing more practicality and usability
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Fit Grand i10
Model Introduced Year 2022 2014
Generation Based on Honda’s global small car platform with focus on efficiency and space utilization Second generation Grand i10 sold in SA with a 2023 facelift; based on the global third-gen i10 platform adapted for emerging markets
Facelift History Latest generation introduced with hybrid technology and updated design Second generation arrived in 2017; facelift with updated front styling and infotainment in 2023
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2023
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback Hatchback
Color Note White, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red White, Silver, Red, Blue, Grey
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup Fluid grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment Hatchback Hatchback
Vehicle Type Hatchback Hatchback
Spec Fit Grand i10
Ground Clearance 135 mm 170 mm
Wheelbase 2530 mm 2385 mm
Length 3995 mm 3665 mm
Width 1695 mm 1660 mm
Height 1515 mm 1520 mm
Kerb Weight 1150 kg 975 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 1550 kg 1410 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 304 l 235 l
Towing Capacity 800 kg -
Front Track Width - -
Rear Track Width - -
Turning Radius - -
Load Bed Length 304 l 235 l
Load Bed Width - -
Front Legroom - -
Rear Legroom - -
Front Headroom - -
Rear Headroom - -
Front Shoulder Room - -
Rear Shoulder Room - -
Boot Space Seats Folded 304 l 235 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload - -
Boot Volume 304 l 235 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 40 l 35 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 1550 kg 1410 kg
Ground Clearance Max 135 mm 170 mm
Ground Clearance Min 135 mm 170 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 135 mm 170 mm
Height Mm 1515 mm 1520 mm
Length Mm 3995 mm 3665 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 304 l 235 l
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg - -
Cargo Volume 304 l 235 l
Tare Mass Kg 1150 kg 975 kg
Turning Circle - -
Turning Circle M - -
Width Mm 1695 mm 1660 mm

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Fit leads by 10 points

Fit has a slight advantage, but Grand i10 remains highly competitive.

Winner 66 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 95% confidence
66
#1 Winner

Fit

95% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 95 Check Performance 48
Performance 48
Efficiency 95
Safety 92
Practicality 49
Ownership 51
Leads by 10 points
56
#2

Grand i10

91% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 76 Check Performance 27
Performance 27
Efficiency 66
Safety 76
Practicality 55
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Fit +21 Efficiency Fit +29 Safety Fit +16 Practicality Grand i10 +6 Ownership Grand i10 +14

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Fit

Performance 48/100
Efficiency 95/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 49/100
Ownership 51/100

Grand i10

Performance 27/100
Efficiency 66/100
Safety 76/100
Practicality 55/100
Ownership 65/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Honda Fit wins with 66 pts vs 56 pts for Grand i10

In structured scoring, Fit emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Grand i10 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Fit edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Fit 95 vs Grand i10 66. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Fit 92, Grand i10 76. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Fit 51, Grand i10 65. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Fit 49, Grand i10 55. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Fit 48, Grand i10 27. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Fit edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Fit scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Fit and Grand i10 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Fit scores 48 vs 27.

Efficiency: Fit scores 95 vs 66.

Safety: Fit scores 92 vs 76.

Practicality: Fit scores 49 vs 55.

Ownership: Fit scores 51 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives Fit the advantage in this comparison.