What does it cost?
Honda Jazz Hatchback full 9 point review
-
Performance
Buyers have the choice of two petrol engines – an 89bhp 1.2 and a 99bhp 1.3 (badged 1.4) – plus a hybrid. All offer acceptable performance given the type of driving Jazz buyers will mainly be doing. A CVT automatic gearbox is standard on the hybrid and an option on the 1.4, but it does slow things down a bit.
-
Ride & Handling
The Jazz’s ride is reasonably settled at town speeds, and although the payoff is a slightly bouncy feel on faster roads, the overall balance is still pretty good. The steering is easy-peasy light for parking, but vague and slow-witted on winding routes, and that undermines the driver’s confidence.
-
Refinement
The Jazz's engines are smooth, but if you’re after the quiet life, the car is best avoided. Far too much wind noise and road noise make their way into the cabin, and this gets worse the faster you go. CVT versions (including the hybrid) make an almighty racket when you accelerate quickly.
-
Buying & Owning
Every model averages more than 50mpg and all of the engine/gearbox combinations emit between 104- and 129g/km of CO2. The hybrid model boasts the best economy of 62.8mpg, but is very expensive to buy. Strong second-hand values help compensate for the high list prices.
-
Quality & Reliability
A mixed bag here. Most of the interior plastics are hard and scratchy, and they scuff easily. However, the Jazz has finished top of the supermini class in our JD Power customer satisfaction survey for the past nine years, so it should prove very reliable.
-
Safety & Security
The Jazz scored five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests and every model comes with six airbags and active anti-whiplash head restraints, as well as Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist system. Deadlocks, a visible VIN and a fully integrated stereo ensure that security is competitive.
-
Behind The Wheel
The driver’s seat can be cranked up and down, but the windscreen pillars cut across your line of sight. The dash layout is more impressive, with everything controlled using chunky buttons and knobs. Only the bland design and the poorly placed switches for the electric door mirrors let it down.
-
Space & Practicality
Retractable headrests mean you can move the Jazz's double-folding rear seats (the backrests go down or the cushions come up) one-handed. The masterpiece, though, is the boot, which has a multi-functional parcel shelf that can be stashed vertically or horizontally in four different ways to hold any load in place.
-
Equipment
The Jazz provides decent levels of standard equipment, which compensates for comparatively high prices. The one exception is the entry-level hybrid model which, given its lofty price, we’d expect to have more standard equipment.
What Honda Jazz Hatchback owners say:
Jazz used car reviews
advertisement
See all
Our pick of the range
Honda Jazz Hatchback 1.4 i-VTEC ES 5dr
With the best combination of price and specification, the Honda Jazz 1.4 ES is our favourite model in the range.
Read reviewAdvertisement
Watch video
Video verdict
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2013
