What is it?
The Honda Jazz is a car that is synonymous with reliable, honest motoring. It’s a vehicle that, for many people, provides the kind of transportation that starts at the turn of a key and doesn’t throw up any unwanted issues. But how do you move on from that? Well, Honda is hoping to inject some fun - as well as some added efficiency - into the mix with its new Jazz Hybrid.
What’s new?
The main changes in this latest Jazz surround both how it looks and how it's powered - but we’ll get into those in more detail shortly. Elsewhere, we’ve still got the same relatively boxy layout as before which helps to boost interior space, but the pillars have been made a little narrower to help with visibility.
Inside, there’s a new touchscreen infotainment that boasts improved functionality for more intuitive controls.
What’s under the bonnet?
The new Jazz boasts one of Honda’s latest powertrains. In fact, it’s the first car to wear its new e:HEV badging that’ll be used to signify all of the firm’s electrified powertrains from now on. Here, we’ve got a 1.5-litre petrol engine linked to two electric motors. This setup works to try and drive on electric power whenever possible and uses the petrol engine much like a generator, feeding energy to the battery.
This means that at slow speed the Jazz drives much like an electric vehicle, with the engine only being called into play when more acceleration is required.
What’s it like to drive?
Though the new powertrain might be designed to offer a more electric-style driving experience, it doesn’t deliver the kind of acceleration we’d expect from a battery-powered vehicle. It encourages a more sedate style of driving, in fact, while the large windscreen and slim new pillars help to generate loads of visibility.
It rides really nicely too and soaks up the worst of the bumps that the road has to offer - particularly at slower speeds. That said, it’s still very refined at a motorway cruise, too.
How does it look?
The Jazz might retain its classically boxy, upright shape as before but it’s a distinctly different-looking car to its predecessor. You’ve got streamlined headlights and a smoothed-off grille, while around the back this rounded effect is continued.
There’s a load of practicality that comes as a result of that design, mind you, with the tall stance making it easier to get in and out, while the wide door apertures only help this further.
What’s it like inside?
The Jazz is a car which has become famous for its ease-of-use, so this hasn’t been disrupted with this new generation. For instance, it still has the excellent ‘Magic Seats’ which easily fold away and provide a huge amount of load space.
In fact, with the seats up there’s a respectable 304 litres, but this increases up to 1,205 litres with all of the seats folded. It’s impressively flexible and means that the Jazz can handle more luggage than you might expect.
What’s the spec like?
In keeping with the rest of the Honda range, the Jazz packs a whole lot of standard equipment. Starting in SE trim, you get features such as adaptive cruise control, climate control, those ‘Magic Seats’ and automatic headlights all included.
You could move up to SR grade and find features such as fabric and leather upholstery added, alongside Apple CarPlay and front and rear parking sensors. Top-spec EX models take this one step further with 16-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel and rear-view camera, to name but a few additions.
Verdict
This new Jazz only continues the idea that this is a car that can be relied upon. It’s practical, efficient and comfortable to drive, so it’ll fit the bill for many drivers after a fuss-free mode of transport.
It’s also packed with equipment regardless of which specification you opt for - so it offers great value for money, too.