Honda Jazz review
Versatile, grown-up hatchback with hybrid efficiency
At a glance |
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| New price | £19,445 - £24,640 |
| Lease from new | From £223 p/m View lease deals |
| Used price | £15,350 - £21,285 |
| Used monthly cost | From £383 per month |
| Fuel Economy | 61.4 - 62.8 mpg |
| Road tax cost | £145 |
| Insurance group | 19 - 20 How much is it to insure? |
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PROS
- Good balance of performance and economy
- Hugely versatile and spacious interior
- User-friendly multimedia system
CONS
- Too much cheap-feeling plastic inside
- Can sound loud when accelerating
- Only one engine choice
Honda Jazz Hatchback rivals
Is the Honda Jazz any good?
In terms of cars that are fit for purpose, the Honda Jazz is peerless. If you want a hatchback with MPV levels of versatility and maximum ease of use, there’s nothing the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo can offer that even comes close.
Of course, practicality isn’t at the top of everybody’s list of desirable traits, so in order to gain wider appeal this fourth-generation Jazz has focused its attention in some other areas. It now has a hugely improved multimedia setup, a more contemporary dashboard and a more up-to-date, responsive powertrain.
But if you valued what the Honda’s predecessors stood for then worry not, these advancements have come with almost no compromise to its clever folding cargo area or everyday usability.
What’s it like inside?
The highlight of the Jazz is its interior, which is amazingly spacious and feels like it belongs to the class above. It’s so roomy that you truly could use it as a family car – there’s space in the back for burly six-footers or child seats alike, a boot big enough to take a pushchair and an amazing feeling of space overall thanks to the huge glass area.
Honda’s also given the dashboard a high-tech makeover, with a large touchscreen display dominating on most models. Yet the practical touches haven’t been lost here, either – there are physical controls for essential functions, plus loads of storage with twin gloveboxes and an incredibly useful pair of cupholders at either end of the dash.
What models and trims are available?
Excluding the SUV-aping Jazz Crosstar (which we’ve reviewed separately here) there are three trim levels to choose from – SE, SR, and EX. With an array of safety equipment and LED lights all round as standard, even the most basic of these ought to keep many drivers happy.
SR grade and above come with that useful infotainment touchscreen, though, while top-spec EX cars get a real lift with two-tone interior trim that makes the already spacious and airy Jazz cabin feel even moreso.
Regardless of trim level, all Jazz models use the same engine – a self-charging hybrid powertrain which rivals that in the Toyota Yaris but works slightly differently.
What’s it like to drive?
Unliuke many of its hatchback contemporaries the Jazz places its focus far away from being sporty or engaging to drive. Instead it aims to be comfortable and easy, in keeping with its practical ethos.
To that end the hybrid powertrain provides peppy performance around town but doesn’t really like to be strung out and revved, while the handling is tidy enough but provides little feedback or enjoyment to the driver. This is a car in which taking it easy is the order of the day.
