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 that, despite the fact the new model looks incredibly like the outgoing model (I guess Honda’s designers adopted the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy) there’s an almost entirely new car beneath the skin.
Honda’s core strengths — versatility and reliability — are, correctly, assumed to be inbuilt into the new Jazz. The clever designers have also made the car only marginally bigger — it sits on a wheelbase 50mm longer, it’s the same height, but is just 55mm longer, and 20mm wider — and yet ensured it manages to do everything better than the previous model.
The better packaging means the doors open wider and rear passenger space has increased. 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, at a push — 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? It’s fine. This is one of those clever, understated cars which does exactly what it sets out to do. The Jazz is brilliant at being good.
While the 1.2-litre is perfectly adequate for the average mix of city centre driving and occasional longer journeys most Jazz owners will embark on, the 1.4 is by far the more relaxed cruiser. If you regularly need to cover decent miles on A-roads or motorways to visit the grandchildren, then this is the one.
It’s also the engine I feel Honda should be grabbing by the throat, tweaking and uprating to produce a model which would attract a much younger audience. Even this new, second generation, lacks the immediate dynamism to attract the younger buyer but surely, with clever marketing and the introduction of funky options, the Jazz could become a ‘must-have’ for the younger generation. There’s a large, young and female following for the Jazz in Japan, and there’s a Sport model available in mainland Europe; so why not in the UK? It’s a question I put to Tom Gardner, Honda UK’s head of marketing.
“I can understand the sentiment,” he admitted, “but it would clash with other Honda models due in the future, plus it would overlap with certain Civic models such as the Type-R.” Pity, because I feel it’s a huge and significant opportunity missed.
With it’s light but positive steering, allied to the 1.4’s nimbleness and featherlight manual (there’s a new version of Honda’s automated manual transmission, the i-Shift, only available in the 1.4) — it’s a perfect car for younger drivers. Stiffen up the suspension, pop on four larger alloys and a shapely bodykit, et viola, a jazzy Jazz.
That though is not to detract from the brilliance of the Jazz. 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. Ford’s marketing power, of course — and ultimately, its discount packaging — will ensure it outsells the Honda. Jazz owners though can drive safely in the knowledge that their car is the far 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 brilliant 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 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.
JM