There’s always been something about the Honda Jazz which has attracted praise and awards from both the motoring press and - far more importantly - the car-buying public. So the introduction of the latest Jazz is not something to be taken lightly by the giant Japanese manufacturer.
Since its initial launch in the UK back in 2002, 161,000 Jazz models have been sold in the UK and the little hatchback - with its capacious interior and dynamically versatile seating and storage abilities - rapidly established itself as one of the ‘must-have’ superminis.
The good news is the new model looks incredibly like the outgoing model and yet there’s an almost entirely new car beneath the skin.
Honda’s core strengths - versatility and reliability - are, correctly, assumed to have been inbuilt into the new Jazz. The clever designers have also made the car marginally bigger - it sits on a wheelbase 50mm longer, it’s the same height, yet is just 55mm longer, and 20mm wider - and ensured it manages to do everything even better than the previous model.
The thoughtful packaging means the doors open wider and rear passenger space has increased; you’ll be amazed how comfortable sitting in the back is even for long journeys. There’s also a feeling of much more space in the cabin essentially because the windscreen is situated further forward. Four normal-sized adults - even five if required - can travel comfortably in the new Jazz. They can also take advantage of the fact there’s 10 (yup, 10) cupholders.
Innovation and practicality abound in the Jazz. Like its predecessor, you can fold the rear seats down, or the seat bases up, allowing you to carry bucketloads of goodies in the footwells. It also means you can carry something like a tall potted plant without breaking it. And unlike Ford’s new Fiesta, the backseats fold completely flat.
The newcomer also has a very, very clever bootfloor. You can remove it and stow it; or it can be positioned to become a partition; it can also double as an extra luggage net, an extra shelf, or just be a good old-fashioned bootfloor. The boot’s so big - it holds 399 litres - it beats everything else in the B-sector.
There’s a choice of two engines, a 1.2-litre 89bhp and the larger 1.4, 99bhp version. Acceleration is brisk and immediate. This is one of those clever, understated cars which does exactly what it sets out to do. Without question, the Jazz is brilliant at being good.
Both engines effortlessly handle the average mix of city centre driving and longer journeys most Jazz owners will embark on. With it’s light but positive steering, allied to its nimbleness and featherlight manual gearbox (there’s also an excellent new version of Honda’s automated manual transmission, the i-Shift, but it’s only available in the 1.4), it’s also a perfect car for younger drivers.
The new Jazz is a superb package. Having driven Ford’s new Fiesta just four days before testing the new Jazz, there’s no doubt the Honda is by far the more superior product. Prices for the new Jazz will start at £9990 for the entry-model 1.2S, when it goes on sale on October 17.
The rest of the range consists of;
1.2SE, £10,990
1.4ES £11,490
1.4ES i-Shift £12,290
1.4EX £12,790
1.4EX i-Shift £13,590
When it comes to kit, the EX offers amazing value for money. In addition to 16in alloys, auto lights and wipers, cruise control, climate control, driver’s armrest, front foglights and privacy glass, there’s also a stunning panoramic sunroof with electric opening/closing shade. If you’re tempted by the Jazz, believe me, you will like it a lot. It is fantastically well equipped and is a bumper package of all-round talents. And it's because of those talents you’ll rapidly realise it’s the very car you need and end up buying. And guess what? You’ll also end up recommending it to other people.
