Autocar - First for car news and reviews

What is it?

It’s a Jazz, the latest version of Honda’s versatile and extremely practical hatchback. Behind its familiar looks this is an almost entirely new car, although there are a few non-crucial carry-over components.

The original Jazz had an older buyer demographic than most superminis, with buyers drawn to its combination of versatility and reliability. Honda hopes that the new car will have broader appeal.

I hope they have improved the seats. I liked the original with its versatility, but found the seats too uncomfortable to consider buying one.

Funny. I've had a Jazz for over a year and I find the seats very comfortable.

I agree with Autocar in that there is very little on this car that will tempt younger buyers, despite Honda's aim to widen the Jazz's appeal.

Sure, the new Jazz is the latest model in Honda's current-generation line up, which first started with the Civic, and it features Honda's latest design theme that also began with the Civic, but surely a bit more influence could have been picked up from its big brother. Even the Accord, which is in a traditionally more conservative class, has more of the radical styling cues from the Civic, in and out.

The Jazz is neat looking, but that's about it.

TonyCraig:

Funny. I've had a Jazz for over a year and I find the seats very comfortable.

Do you also enjoy Saga holidays, have a slight but unmistakeable whiff of urine about you and remember when "this was all fields" ?

I am one that is thankful it does not look like a Civic, though I find the comment the current Jazz seats are uncomfortable a worry.

Driving an Aygo, am almost certain the seat is dreadful on purpose to make  a Yaris look more attractive, the base is a steal pressing with a foam cushion like the Toyota forklift at work. Surely Honda do better than that? The other thing does the Jazz come with a spare wheel? Thanks.

 

The dash board is a mess and the car lacks a decent engine.  Older people will love it though because they think it looks cool and funky.  Mind you they probably cant see the dash anyway because thier cateracts are so bad.

This is rapidly becoming the modern day Austin Maestro or Rover 400 for the wrinklies.

ecokarter:

This is rapidly becoming the modern day Austin Maestro or Rover 400 for the wrinklies.

 

The Americans love it, though presumably because there are 0 alternatives to it.

Few comments on here by people who probably drive citroen saxo's and still get pocket money. 

Small cars fall into 2 catergories.  Main car replacements where it is the only car and needs to cover all bases.  (Fiesta, 206, Mini, etc).  These all try to be all things to all people and are normally selected on looks and carry one person most of the time.  They need to say something about the driver and are heavily marketted as they are likely to be the only car the owner has.

 The Jazz is that second type of small cars, the runabout.  Its got loads of space for a few people, the dog fits in the boot, it wont break down, cheap to run and insure.  I bet for most people its a second car so is not used on long trips.  In this category I dont think there are many competitors except the Citroen Berllingo. 

 

 

I seem to remember that the old Jazz could fit a mountain bike standing up in the boot (with rear seats down) - something my Volvo estate can't do! That gave it a Berlingo-esque load capacity that most superminis don't have and a good reason to buy one if you're not massively bothered about image and the demographic of the typical Jazz driver.

Honda want the car to have a more universal appeal.  I am not going to dispute that the car does everything you say philm4000 its just the new one is not going to appeal to a younger audience either.

Besides whats wrong with my saxo.

The current / old Jazz is a great all round car, and probably the best description of an automotive pint in a quart pot.

My father has had a couple and they've got loads of strong points.  He loves them to bits as he can get in and out without hurting his knees (front seat height) and he can shove tonnes in the boot, both seats up and down. 

However as a younger person, they leave me a little cold.  They are just a little sterile and non descript in too many areas for their own good, styling included.  I suppose the word that best sums it up is - efficient.  Don't get me wrong, this makes a very good car technically, but not a car I would "want" to own.

Certainly, looking at the report, Honda have built on the original cars strengths but it still appears to be a little bland.  Personally, I think a warm or hot halo model would do wonders for the entire Jazz brand.

It should be remembered though, that the grey pound is becoming ever more important in the UK, so in some ways, why are Honda worrying?  If they wanted or felt they needed a "youthful" car, I am sure they would have designed a "Euro" version in the same way as they have done with the Civic and Accord.