This always becomes a fun topic...

I've been waiting to see the UK specs for the'09 Fit/Jazz including any published towing specs. Europeans expect even small cars to be able to tow small popup campers and the like. As such, almost every car will have tow ratings in Europe. The same vehicle in the litigious US will almost always have no tow rating or a lesser one.

While Honda UK hasn't put the '09 Jazz specs up on their web page yet, I did find a review which has some info in it under the "Dimensions" tab...

Road Tests: Honda Jazz 2009 Full Test

"Maximum Braked Towing Capacity: 1,000kg (all models)"

No mention of tongue/hitch weight but the previous model had a 1000kg tow limit with a 70kg tongue weight limit.

Just some preliminary info for those who might be interested.

 

not sure that anyone would want to tow anything.

 

Are there any actual differences in the suspension, engine or braking (or anything) between the Jazz/Fit that would lead to any reason (aside from litigiousness) for differential treatment of the US Fit with regard to towing?

 

I haven't dug into all the differences yet but... Re: engine differences, there are differences, but the UK models have smaller and less powerful/torquey engines than our 1.5l. I believe the brakes are the same as ours (best to have trailer brakes, too, so the trailer basically stops itself). It's certainly possible that spring rates or shock damping is different, but those are easily changeable. Some 1st gen owners have replaced their stock shocks with aftermarket air/levelling ones to prevent rear end sag.

The common misconception is that only trucks and SUV's have the ability to tow anything. As someone who has towed thousands of miles combined with a '78 Accord hatchback, a couple mid 80's Civic wagons, and a Passat Wagon, there's no reason why a 2500+ lb vehicle isn't capable of towing a few hundred pounds of stuff. Sure you shouldn't be towing an Airstream, but a little cargo trailer with lawn equipment or a little ATV is definitely doable.