Honda Jazz review

The Honda Jazz is a car that has traditionally been bought by the older generation, people who are attracted by its easy-to-access cabin and Honda's reputation for reliability. But with this third incarnation of the Jazz, Honda reckons it can expand sales to the younger end of the market. With fresh styling and a long list of standard equipment, it might just be able to do it.

• Best superminis

The Honda Jazz drives in a civilised manner, provided you avoid the CVT automatic gearbox option. It has a more stylish dashboard design than before, yet still features the brilliant and intuitive cabin layout with Magic Seats in the rear, making it one of the most spacious and ingenious cars in its class.

It’s not particularly fast and it’s not particularly cheap, but the Jazz certainly looks capable of challenging the class leaders such as the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta – and, perhaps, even attracting that much yearned-for younger demographic to the Honda fold.

Our Choice: 

Honda Jazz 1.3 i-VTEC SE manual

The Honda Jazz originally launched in 2001 as a replacement for the underwhelming Logo city car. The current third generation car was launched in the UK in 2015, while the car uses the Fit name in markets such as the US, China and Japan. The latest model sticks to a tried and tested formula by offering more usability than style or sporty driving, but that means you get an incredibly practical car for a supermini price. 

Its MPV-like styling means it's hugely practical, although during its life it has always been seen as an old person's car, thanks to its main selling points of being reliable, easy to get in and out of and spacious. Younger buyers have shunned past versions, as they have been attracted by youthful rivals that offer more in the way of personalisation options.

Image 2 of 16Honda Jazz - rear tracking

Image 2 of 16

The look of the Jazz was smoothed off for the car's second generation, and while it continued to impress with its practicality, it was still not a car with youthful appeal. The Mk3 has been designed to tempt younger buyers into the Honda fold and has edgier styling, with more defined styling creases. The interior has also been improved with the addition of Honda Connect touchscreen infotainment.

There’s a single 1.3 i-VTEC petrol engine available in theJazz. It comes with a six-speed manual as standard, or there's a continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic that adds £1,100 to any specification in the line-up.

Honda’s trim level hierarchy for the Jazz runs S, SE (which is around £1,000 more than the S) and EX (around £1,200 more than SE), while SE Navi and EX Navi models add satellite navigation to their respective specifications for around £600 extra. As a result, the most expensive Jazz EX Navi with CVT auto is around £17,500, which is quite a lot for a supermini.

Every version of the Jazz gets Bluetooth, DAB radio, cruise control and auto lights and wipers, as well as air conditioning and the ‘Magic’ rear seats that flip up like cinema seats.

SE cars come with alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen and front and rear parking sensors, while the Driver Assistance Safety Pack, adds traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning and a lane departure system.

Top-spec EX cars are lavishly equipped, with larger wheels, keyless entry, a rear view camera and climate control.

Despite its upright appearance, the Jazz competes in the B-segment supermini heartland, taking on the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Polo, Renault Clio, Peugeot 208, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Note, Hyundai i20 and SEAT Ibiza.

Engines, performance and drive

3

The Jazz has one engine choice, a rev-happy Honda i-VTEC unit, while overall refinement is impressive

Compared to the relatively punchy turbo engines you'll find in some of the Jazz's rivals, the Honda’s naturally aspirated 1.3-litre i-VTEC petrol engine feels a little asthmatic. With 101bhp it makes a decent amount of power, but with 123Nm of torque at relatively high 5,000rpm, you have to rev the motor hard to make progress.

This has been proved in our acceleration tests, where the Jazz took 10.4 seconds to accelerate from 30-70mph through the gears. And despite the fact that the Honda has a six-speed gearbox, it's not very quick in gear, either.

We haven't been bowled over by the CVT auto gearbox - we’d avoid it unless you absolutely have to have an automatic, as it’s an unpleasant operator - but this six-speed manual is much better. Honda knows how to do manual transmissions, and the Jazz's change is light, engaging and sweet.

Image 1 of 16Honda Jazz - front tracking

Image 1 of 16

Road and wind noise are well suppressed thanks to extra sound deadening in the wheel arches and behind the dash, and the revised suspension means there’s less body roll in the corners. Honda has hinted at a faster and more economical turbocharged version, but it’s unlikely to arrive until 2017.

The Jazz’s steering is light but doesn’t offer much feel or feedback, while the suspension filters out poor road surfaces admirably. As a result, the chassis is relatively stable – but only up to a point. The Honda is more at home cruising at a relaxed gait or nipping in and out of city streets, where the light steering helps manoeuvring in tight spots.

Engines

The 1,318cc i-VTEC petrol engine delivers its maximum power output at higher revs than rival cars with turbocharged engines. It provides 101bhp at 6,000rpm, but just 123Nm at 5,000rpm.

Performance is therefore leisurely, with the quickest Jazz – the manual S model – takes 11.2 seconds to do 0-62mph before going on to a 118mph maximum. All manual Jazzes have the same top speed, but when dealing with low horsepower, every added gram of weight affects acceleration. As a result, stepping up from S to SE specification with its 15-inch alloy wheels adds a tenth to the 0-62mph time (11.3 seconds), while the EX takes 11.5  seconds to do the same sprint.

Image 9 of 16Honda Jazz - panning

Image 9 of 16

The CVT, which has an eco focus, slows the Jazz even further. All automatic models can only hit 113mph flat out and the 0-62mph times for the S, SE and EX models are 12.0, 12.2 and 12.3 seconds respectively.

MPG, CO2 and running costs

3.5

There are no diesels or hybrids, but the petrol Jazz is a frugal machine with low tax bills

There’s only one engine to choose from and due to the fact that most cars are sold to private buyers, Honda doesn’t have much interest in more frugal diesel or hybrid models.

All Jazzes are in VED Band C, with one exception – the basic S variant with a automatic CVT gearbox. This is the only car to surpass 60mpg, with figures of 61.4mpg and 106g/km for CO2 emissions.

However, the CVT brings significant compromises to the driving dynamics and costs £1,100, so the manual starts to look like a total bargain in comparison, given that it'll only cost you a tiny bit more in road tax. Both S and SE manuals return 56.5mpg and emit 116g/km CO2, while the EX and its 16-inch alloy wheels sees those numbers worsen slightly to 55.4mpg and 120g/km.

Image 16 of 16Honda Jazz - wheel

Image 16 of 16

For the CVT, any step up in trim grade reduces its efficiency. The SE CVT returns 111g/km and 58.9mpg, while the EX automatic is barely any ‘greener’ than the manuals – its figures are 114g/km CO2 and 57.6mpg.

In the previous generation model, Honda did do a hybrid version, which coupled Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) electric power (as seen in the Insight and CR-Z) with a 1.3-litre petrol engine. It might make a return for the Mk3 Jazz, although it could be a while before it’s ready for market.

Insurance groups

As simple as they come here. Every Jazz, irrespective of specification or gearbox, is in insurance group 13.

Depreciation

According to our experts, the Jazz will hold on to more of its new value after three years than most rivals, which should go some way to off-setting its reasonably high purchase fees. The most basic Jazz S manual will cost around £13,500, whereas the Ford Fiesta range starts at around £10,200 and the Vauxhall Corsa starts from about £10,000 for a five-door model, to cite two examples. 

Interior, design and technology

3.5

Sharper exterior, classy interior and vibrant colours all make the Jazz more appealing to younger buyers

There’s no doubt the latest Honda Jazz is more stylish than the old one. The high roofline and curvier shape are clear to see, but the sporty front grille and headlamps that run the width of the car give it a sharper look from the front. Whether or not it can attract younger buyers remains to be seen, but it’s certainly more youthful than the two previous generations.

An example is the colour palette Honda offers on the car. Where so many manufacturers these days think dull and monochrome are the premium shades, Honda has gone for bright and vibrant on the Jazz.

There are eight colours: two free-of-charge solids (Milano Red or Sunset Orange); three pearlescent finishes (Attract Yellow, Crystal Black and White Orchid); and three metallic hues (Alabaster Silver, Tinted Silver and Brilliant Sporty Blue). Stepping up to either of the pearlescent or metallic colours costs £500, but the red, orange, yellow and blue are all eye-catching shades. 

Image 3 of 16Honda Jazz - interior

Image 3 of 16

The gloss-black plastic and chrome insert on the nose contrast nicely with the £500 Attract Yellow Pearl paintwork, while the lower grille and foglights (which are optional on lower spec cars) also add to this third-generation model’s appearance. The sides boast a heavily sculpted area lower down on the doors and a subtle crease that runs from the front wings through the door handles and back into the rear light units. It also makes a feature of the rear wheelarch.

Just like the front grille, the Jazz’s blacked-out glass on the bootlid shrinks the car’s bulk from the back. The tailgate itself is a simple, solid piece of metal with few design cues, as the styling interest comes more from the kink in the tail-light clusters and the angular bumper, which features fake vents at either side.

The interior is fresh too. Honda has always had a tendency to incorporate futuristic design in its interiors, and the Jazz is no different. The facia is simple, with all but the S model getting a large seven-inch touchscreen that controls the main infotainment functions. Go for the top-spec EX and you’ll also get touch-sensitive climate control. However, unlike some rivals the glossy screen can be hard to operate in bright sunlight.

Material quality is acceptable, even on mid-spec models, while there’s also a good range of adjustment for the driving position and plenty of room inside, and the extra headroom is noticeable. 

All cars come with the brilliant Magic Seats in the rear, which allow owners to fold flat the back seats in one swift movement, revealing a totally flat floor for carrying bulky items. Up front there’s plenty of support, and all the controls are within easy reach of the driver. 

Honda also offers five packages on the Jazz, which either subtly alter the styling or increase its practicality. These are the Sport Pack (a discreet lower body kit and rear boot spoiler), Design Pack (silver trim on the front grille, door mirrors and tailgate), Premium Pack (body-coloured side trims, mudguards, different sill plates and elegance carpet mats), Illumination Pack (blue ambient footwell lighting and illuminated door sills) and Cargo Pack (a boot divider and under-shelf storage box). These range in price from as high as £1,300 for the Sport Pack to £250 for the Cargo Pack.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

If you want sat-nav, you need to pay £610 to upgrade the SE or EX models to the SE Navi or EX Navi grades, respectively. The Garmin sat-nav system integrates neatly into the Honda Connect touchscreen, where it’s easy to get on with and provides nice, clear mapping. 

Base S models get a single-slot CD player with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, aux-in socket and USB slot, as well as a four-speaker stereo and steering-wheel mounted controls. 

Image 10 of 16Honda Jazz - dashboard

Image 10 of 16

SE and EX variants, which automatically get the Honda Connect touchscreen, build on this with an extra pair of speakers, plus they have two USB ports.

The solitary audio option is the Honda 3D Sound (£395), which adds a compact digital signal processing (DSP) unit to the existing in-car entertainment, to improve the sound system. No upgrades that have better speakers and amplifiers are offered.

Practicality, comfort and boot space

4.5

The Jazz is one of the best superminis in terms of space and the ingenuity of its interior packaging

Practicality is where the Jazz excels. Nothing this side of a Nissan Note has as much outright space, with the little Honda offering more room than many cars in the class above.

With a functional but futuristic layout inside, the Honda offers plenty of usability and storage, yet despite some clever practicality solutions. There are loads of cubbies and storage areas within. The door bins will take a bottle of water and there are two cupholders ahead of the gear lever. There’s another by the steering wheel and another lidded bin behind the handbrake. The glovebox isn’t huge, but it’s big enough for various bits and bobs.

As well as the Cargo Pack, Honda offers a number of practical options such as a boot net, boot mat and dog guard. And despite its light weight and 123Nm of torque, the Jazz can tow a 1,000kg braked trailer if required.

Size

Without making the car externally huge – it’s still less than four metres long, at 3,995mm – Honda has managed to deliver an interior that is more than capable of carrying four people in utter comfort. Even five average adults would be no problem.

The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) is 30mm longer than the old car, and from bumper to bumper the Jazz has grown by 95mm over its predecessor. 

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Image 5 of 16Honda Jazz - rear seat 

Image 5 of 16

Rear seat passengers benefit from 115mm more legroom and an additional 20mm of shoulder room compared to the Mk2 Jazz. Believe it or not, Honda actually claims more rear knee room is available in the third-generation car than you’ll get in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Boot

The latest Jazz carries over the trick Magic Seats from the previous generation, so the rear bench flips up like a cinema seat to reveal even more luggage room, thus improving flexibility. There’s a useful 354 litres of boot space with the back seats in place.

Image 7 of 16Honda Jazz - load space

Image 7 of 16

With the seats down, there’s a cavernous 1,314 litres of space up to the ceiling – more than all its main rivals and only surpassed by the Nissan Note (1,495 litres).

Reliability and Safety

5

A top Euro NCAP rating and Honda’s reputation for reliability mean the Jazz is an easy car to live with

The Honda Jazz has been a consistent performer in the Auto Express Driver Power survey for over a decade. However, being almost eight years old, the previous generation car dropped to 112th out of 200 cars in the overall round-up for 2016.

That’s a tough fall from grace, after finishing 11th, 12th and 29th in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. It is quite normal for older cars to slip down the tables, though, and we expect the new model to rectify things at the top of the table when it hits the survey in 2017.

An ageing product line-up hasn’t helped Honda as a brand either, with the manufacturer falling to 20th in the 2016 survey. Owners complained about ride quality in particular, but praised their cars for reliability and practicality.

Image 14 of 16Honda Jazz - front exterior detail

Image 14 of 16

In terms of safety, the Jazz aced the Euro NCAP crash tests, coming home with a full five-star rating in 2015, and impressive section scores of 93 per cent safety for adult occupants, 85 per cent for child occupants, 73 per cent for pedestrians and 71 per cent for safety assist systems. On this last score, that’s because all but the basic S models get Honda’s Driver Assistance Safety Pack, which includes lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and forward collision warning. 

Warranty

All Hondas come with a three-year, 90,000-mile warranty as standard, which is certainly generous compared to rivals in terms of the mileage.

At the time of expiration, a Honda Extended Guarantee can be purchased, which includes UK and European breakdown cover, protection against mechanical and electrical faults and a maintained ongoing service history.

For another 12 months alone (for year four), it costs £460; for an extra 24 months (years four and five), the price is £850.

Servicing

Pre-paid service plans are available for cars less than eight months old and with less than 8,000 miles on the clock – this is a one-off payment of £695, which covers five years’ worth (or 62,500 miles) of labour, parts and VAT maintenance costs. Honda says this will save owners up to £505 over the course of the plan.