The Honda Logo series GA3–GA5 is a supermini produced by the Japanese automaker Honda between 1996 and 2001. The Logo was available as a three-door and five-door hatchback. It was a platform mate to the Honda Capa and replaced the Series GA1 and GA2 Honda City. The Logo was larger than the kei sized Honda Life, but was smaller than the subcompact Honda Civic. The Logo was eventually replaced by the Honda Fit on an all-new Global Car Platform introduced by Honda.
It was sold in Japan at Honda Clio, while the Capa was sold at Honda Primo. The Honda HR-V was sold at Honda Verno. It was sold in the United Kingdom from 2000 until 2001.
The appearance of the Logo reflected a determination on behalf of Honda to duplicate the sales success it experienced with the first generation Civic to increase sales as the Nation of Japan was beginning to feel the effects of what is called Japan's Lost Decade, the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble, as the exterior dimensions and engine size almost match the first Civic. The name "logo" was chosen to focus on Honda's establishment of practical and economical vehicles, and Honda's "H" was proudly emblazoned on both the front and back of the car to declare this intent to return to what made Honda a market leader.
The only engine used was the D13B, initially using 2 valves per cylinder with an upgrade to 4 valves after complaints of less than adequate performance. A CVT transmission was offered to take advantage of the engine's torque ability and offer strong fuel economy.
The Logo benefited much from the larger fourth generation Civic in terms of engine and transmission advancements and technology, using the Honda D13B inline four-cylinder SOHC 16 Valve 1.3L using PGM-FI to provide economical fuel consumption and low emissions.
The engineering goals for the engine focused on low revs, and one covering the intake and exhaust valves. Performance is 66 PS, in 11.3kgf · m, which reduces the power and torque compared to the specification, 16-valve, which is 90% of engine torque at 1,300 rpm of commonly used, 2,500 rpm, showing that the engine was designed to take full advantage of the CVT transmission. The Logo, with a lightweight body and torque characteristics, could easily handle city driving and moderate altitude climbing.
The engineering goals were to have a car that achieved North American ULEV emission standards, and shared much of the technology found in the Honda CR-X HF, with the SOHC 8 valve 1.3L and a 5 speed manual transmission. Minor changes in later grades sport "TS", 16-valve type specification in D13B (SOHC 1.3L PGM-spec FI: 91PS 11.6kgf · m) was also later introduced.
The combined transmission, 5-speed manual transmission, 3-speed automatic transmission. Later, the CVT system called the unique Honda "Honda Multimatic" was introduced.
In Japan, the Logo succeeded the Second Generation Honda City series GA1 and 2.
The CVT transmission and the introduction of the engine due to the ease of handling high torque at low and medium engine speeds, the power performance of the region dominated by what was practical. However, to ride in town didn't focus on younger buyers, and the handling requests from younger drivers was overlooked towards practical and economical goals.
Two models were derived using the platforms and components. The Honda Capa, and the Honda HR-V which had much more emphasis on a youthful approach, but the Logo was meant to remain practical and economical and sales reflected the modest intent of the Logo, and the car didn't sell as well as hoped. From the lessons learned in response to the Logo's lack of market acceptance, the next generation Honda Fit renewed the basic concepts being fun to drive, and less so on making an economical and practical car.
In Europe, sales were not particularly strong, but the car did come top of a customer satisfaction survey in December 2001.
The Logo was tested by Euro NCAP in 2000. It received a score of 17 for an adult occupant and a score of 14 in the pedestrian test.
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