Honda Jazz review

Like the folks that enter Britain’s Got Talent, some cars are gifted in various ways but haven’t previously received universal adoration. The Honda Jazz is a case in point.

The Jazz has always stood out for its practical interior and reputation for unimpeachable reliability, yet it's never really hit the heady sales heights of some of its more conventional small car rivals; the most obvious examples are the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo.

Well, this is the fourth-generation Jazz, and it’s learnt some clever new tricks to wow the crowds, including the ability to juggle. No, not balls or fire sticks; it juggles petrol and electric power to improve efficiency, in much the same way that the Toyota Yaris Hybrid does. 

Honda’s petrol-electric hybrid system uses two electric motors, powered by a compact battery, working alongside a frugal 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. 

The latest Jazz also features a funky interior design inspired by the retro Honda E electric car, and it comes packed full of safety equipment (more on that, later). 

There’s even the option of a more adventurous, SUV-inspired version, called the Jazz Crosstar EX. This is a bit like the Ford Fiesta Active, featuring bolt-on roof rails, two-tone paint, a unique front grille design, an elevated ride height and black plastic cladding around its wheel arches.

So, does the Jazz now deserve to win a popularity contest against the very best small cars?

That's the question we'll be answering in this review. And if at the end you decide the Jazz (or any other new car, for that matter) is the perfect fit for your lifestyle, make sure you visit our New Car Buying pages, where you can score hefty discounts without the hassle of haggling.