Honda Jazz drive by Steve Rogers
My son asked for advice on a small roomy car when their first child arrived. I didn’t have to think about it, the answer was obvious: Honda Jazz.
No other supermini can match it for space or flexibility yet, in spite of its winning credentials, Jazz has never gained the popularity of a Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa or Volkswagen Polo.
Jazz is tall and boxy, not bad looking but lacking the ooh-la-la of French beauties Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio. It’s a Mr Sensible choice.
If you are thinking Jazz is a bit of a fuddy-duddy, think again because our tardis supermini has undergone something of a transformation.
The facelifted fourth generation model has had some cosmetic work done to the front with a snub nose style grille section and restyled bumper, but more importantly it has more power. We are not in hot hatch territory but in a drag race the Jazz will crush quite a few rivals.
This is a full hybrid with two electric motors boosting performance as well as efficiency and economy. It can be driven on electricity alone for short distances putting power back into the battery on the move through regenerative braking.
Power output is up 10kW to 90kW and alongside the 105bhp petrol engine the Jazz can hit sixty in just over nine seconds, that’s more than respectable.
I put more than 500 miles on the Jazz and it never dropped below 62mpg, about par for a hybrid, but quite a way off the Mazda2 hybrid reviewed last month which topped 70mpg.
Jazz made its mark as a super practical, super versatile small hatchback. Practical because it beats everyone on space, versatile because of the clever back seats that flip up, just like seats in the cinema, leaving enough room to walk through or carry something tall, or awkward. Legroom is astonishing, even with the front seats pushed back there is room for a six footer.
Fitting a child seat can be a pain in some small cars because a low roof line and tight space makes it cramped, but here it’s easy. Boot space is nowhere near class leading but adequate and accessible thanks to the full width tailgate.
Earlier generations of Jazz were blighted by an overly harsh ride but over the years things have improved and while the ride is not silky smooth there is far more cushioning when engaging a pot hole or poor surface. When aren’t we?
We come to expect a high level of tech from Honda and there is no shortage with lots of connectivity through a nine inch touchscreen. Car functions can be linked to a smart phone to sound the horn if struggling to find your Jazz in a crowded car park, or set the climate control ahead of a journey. The car can also be found through a location finder, handy if the car is stolen or for keeping a track on a teenage driver.
All models have an abundance of safety features and are very well equipped, the only major feature missing from the entry model is navigation but you can link your own app to the screen providing the phone is Apple or Android. Pity the screen definition is only average and shows up particularly when the reversing camera is engaged.
As part of its aim to jazz up the Jazz Honda has introduced the Advance Sport model. Nothing to get too excited over, it isn’t any quicker, but chassis upgrades have stiffened the suspension and there is a sports setting which changes the gear ratio, hanging on to the revs to make everything sound a little more punchy. It also has paddle shifters for selecting the level of brake regeneration force.
Honda keeps raising the bar with Jazz, the hybrid engine adding an important dimension to a car that is already practicality personified but does its high price put it out of reach of too many families?
Oh, and my son got hold of a low mileage used Jazz which is doing an admiral job.
Fast facts
Jazz Advance Sport
£29,285 (starts £26,885)
1.5 litre i-MMD hybrid; 105bhp
0-62mph 9.6secs; 108mph
61.4mpg combined
105g/km. 1st tax £195
Boot: 304-1205 litres
Insurance group 22
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