There are no material differences between the Mexico-made 2015 and 2016 Fit EX CVT made in Japan other than the few hundred difference in price. I bought the 2016 for $19k OTD in Northern VA today and the 2015 was bought for $18.65k 10 months ago. Had to buy a new one because my 2015 Fit was totaled in a rear-end collision by a F-150.

The only differences I could note:

1. The hatch door is a bit easier to close. This is the only real benefit on the J-made 2016 Fit.
2. Preset icons are along the bottom row of the radio screen.
3. Hitting the "Home" button goes to the main screen with "Audio", "Info", etc icons, and does not go to the multiple sources screen. I believe my 2015 Fit would usually go to the multiple sources screen (FM, Pandora, CD, etc).
4. Smell is different. Japan smells a little like spoiled milk, while the Mexico smell maybe was better. Highly subjective. But basically different smell.
5. The tactile response of the E-brake is a little softer, mushier. The clicks in the 2015 were more pronounced, both in feeling and sound.
6. The painted sides not covered by clear coat (e.g. along the inside wall of the hatch door) is matte on the 2016, whereas it is shinier on the 2015.
7. The plastic steering wheel texture on the 2016 is molded to be more like a leather grain, whereas the 2015 texture was a dimpled/pebbled pattern.
8. There is no misalignment on the a-pillar trim of the dashboard on the driver side. There is a small misalignment on the right side. The misalignment on my 2015 was more obvious. But honestly any misalignment doesn't really make any difference to the vast expanse of hard plastic below the windshield.
8. The 2015 came with a full, printed owner's manual. The full owner's manual on the 2016 is provided in the form of a CD-ROM.

I also noted no issues in front bumper or wheel liner sag on either 2015 or 2016 models.

That one everycarseattle guy on youtube is a total liar when he says that the car is "roomier" or is "quieter" when compared to the 2015. No, it's still a loud, cheap tin can car that costs next to free to drive ($16 of gas for 280 miles where I am).

 

One more difference I've noted: the front wheel nut and spindle end is bare steel/zinc plated (silver colored) on the '15 and they're black on the '16.


A small note, but worth mentioning.

 

"5. The painted sides not covered by clear coat (e.g. along the inside wall of the hatch door) is matte on the 2016, whereas it is shinier on the 2015."


I may be in the minority, but I had an '09 Fit (Japan), and now have a "15 (Mexico), and I think the paint and finish is much better on the '15. My '09 had primer bleeding through the THIN color coat everywhere they didn't think you'd look.

 

I wonder how well that works out when your on the side of the road with a blinking light and no manual to decipher what it means. Even many of the new laptops don't come with DVD/CDROM drives anymore.

Now, if they put the manual on a memory stick and put in a reader in the head unit, you might have half a chance...

 

I downloaded the owner's manual from the Honda website and carry it on my iPhone.

 

Great idea for those with smart phones! My wife not yet included in that camp. Soon though..... she's starting to see the value in having more info on the road.

 

I have it in pdf format on my phone plus the hard copy. I think CD-ROM is backwards.

 

My 2016 EX came with both a CD and printed owner's manual.