You’ll also be impressed by the feeling of spaciousness in the Jazz; that’s one big windscreen, and the redesigned A-pillars really do help improve your field of vision. Your back and bum don’t have any cause for complaint on the comfier seat, either, even after a couple of hours on the road. So far, so added value.
The same can’t be said of the way the Jazz rides. It can be quite crashy at low speeds, as opposed to the more impressive body control it exhibits at higher speeds. Given the amount of around-town pottering that most Jazz drivers are likely to do, that’s a shame.
While ‘engaging’ is a word used by Honda to describe the improvements to the dynamics, ‘predictable’ is a better one – which is what most Jazz owners would want to hear anyway.
Unusually for a car of its size and type, the Jazz adopts variable-ratio steering, and its weighting and feel are among the car’s more pleasing dynamic traits for anyone looking for a bit of sparkle and verve.
Honda’s new e:HEV powertrain is a mixed bag. We’re pleased to see the back of the old Jazz’s CVT and its drone under acceleration, yet aurally you’d be hard pressed to tell much difference in this new fixed-gear ’box. Never press beyond about 40% of the accelerator pedal’s travel and you’ll be left in peace, but do so and it becomes rather noisy rather quickly.
Still, the noise is at least backed up by the Jazz being a surprisingly brisk car, both off the line and for ‘in-gear’ acceleration, where the torque of the motors combines with the engine for a decent turn of pace.
Real-world economy is also pleasing, as is the Jazz’s overall feeling of nippiness around town.
Kudos to Honda, too, for packaging the more complex hybrid powertrain without robbing the Jazz of any of its famed interior space and flexibility. Back are the Magic Seats, which can be quickly folded flat to create a large, flat loadbay or have their bases lifted up to create a considerable load area in place of the rear seats. And there are plenty of other useful storage areas in the car, including under the boot floor and not one but two gloveboxes. It’s features like this that really define the Jazz.
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Einarbb
Sensible car ...
... if you live in town you don't really need anything else. Naturally its got no excitement.
jason_recliner
It's as I Said Elsewhere
Looks average now, but in 20 years it will somehow look right. That's Japanese styling for you.
themiffyiffy
Lovely car
If i am a new driver and in market for a new car. This is definitely on top of my list. The interior is so classy. Unfortunately it's not in for sale in North America anymore.
LP in Brighton
More interesting than it looks
I must admit that I've just got used to the styling of the Mk3 Jazz, which now appears quite modern and attractive. By comparison this new one seems dull and uninteresting.But the drivetrain is anything but and the combination of a large normally aspirated Atkinson cycle engine with a series hybrid, fixed gear lock-up arrangement certainly seems to deliver. It is mechanically simple (and probably quite light and cheap to make) yet the performance and economy look very decent. It's just such an eminently sensible and efficient small car that I'm sure it'll do well, globally at least.
si73
Disagree with you Mark, the
The rest, as you say, is more of the same but improved which is a good thing for jazz owners, it's always been a great practical little car that could be all the car you need space wise. I had a facelifted mk1 which made a great family car.
Thekrankis
I own a mk3 Jazz Sport
I may also be tempted by this new Jazz but I really, really hoped Honda would have sorted the crashing hard ride by now.This is the fourth generation Jazz and they all appear to have been made without springs or dampers....
...probably the only flaw in these excellent big small cars.
But it is a major flaw.
si73
Thekrankis wrote:
I like the styling of your generation model, this new one is a backwards step to my eyes. As for ride, I never found my 2005 model to be bad.
gathome.jg
New Jazz Ride
Ah, again a car where the ride is criticised. This might be because the Marketing Department have decided that if the customer wants niceties like Heated seats and steering wheel they must buy the top model. And if you do that you must have the bigger wheels. Time after time this happens. The motoring press mention it, suggesting because of the ride you're better of with a lower spec model. The Marketing department obviously don't deign to take any notice. Probably too drunk on expense account jollies to be able to read the criticism.
Zeddy
Manual?
No manual at all in the range?
sbagnall
Old people can't drive um
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