Honda Jazz Hybrid review

“I have a T-shirt with a picture of
Stevie Nicks and the words ‘Don’t Be
A Lady, Be A Legend’. After a week
driving the new Jazz supermini
we feel that Honda should have one
that says ‘Don’t Be A Supermini,
Be A Jazz’...”

NOW IN ITS FOURTH generation, the Jazz — long the 'small' car to beat for its class-leading practicality, versatility, reliability, solid engineering, and uber-useful 'magic' seats — now adds economical petrol-electric hybrid power, a comprehensive suite of safety kit, and a swish interior to the mix.

The Jazz's hybrid powerplant utilises a pair of electric motors (putting out 108bhp and 187lb ft of torque) that work hand-in-glove with a fuel-sipping 97bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine. Between the engine and the motors there's enough get-up-and-go for the Jazz to hit the benchmark 0-62mph from standstill in a respectable 9.5 seconds. Top speed is a more than adequate 109mph. The Hybrid's headline USP is, of course, the fact that there's no plugging-in required as its battery pack is a self-charger.

“If you’re considering
buying a Jazz, it’s safe to
say that you won’t be
expecting to screech
boy-racer-like around
corners but will prefer to
swan along in a more
laid-back manner.
So you’ll be pleased to
hear that this hybrid Jazz
wafts along with much
more than just a pinch of
panache. In fact, many
road-testers consider it to
be one of the best-riding
small cars out there...”

If you are considering buying a Jazz, it's safe to say that you won't be expecting to screech round corners boy-racer-like but prefer to swan along in a more laid-back manner. So you'll be pleased to hear that this hybrid Jazz wafts along with much more than just a pinch of panache. In fact, many road-testers consider it to be one of the best-riding small cars out there.

However, when it comes to pressing on it's more than up to the task. Thanks to a sympathetically fettled suspension it does both the comfort bit and the get-me-to-the-church-on-time thing. Despite its tallish roofline, predictable road manners ensure making good progress through the twisties is on the menu.

The Jazz's no-nonsense also brakes merit a commendation: of the regenerative kind — which on some other hybrids can be decidedly snatchy — the Jazz's are well-modulated and agreeably smooth in stop-start city traffic. Out on faster roads they'll readily provide all the stopping power you need.

Left to run in its default Hybrid mode the Jazz will mix and match ICE and NICE without you really being aware of it (that's Internal Combustion Engine and Non-Internal Combustion Engine power feeds). If you can drive with a 'light' right foot, there's more good news: on a light throttle the electric motors can bowl it along without any extra input from the 1.5-litre petrol engine so at low speeds you're likely to be running for quite a bit of the time in the Jazz's hushed electric mode.

That noted, you really don't have to worry whether it is petrol or electric that's powering you along because even when it's running the engine isn't intrusive. The hybrid powertrain makes use of an e-CVT autobox that serves up seamless acceleration, noticeably so at lower speeds.

In Econ mode the Jazz is nippy and responsive; cruising at motorway speeds it's agreeably refined and as happy as a lark. Economy-wise it's a real sweetie: officially you can expect to see 61.4mpg. However, our test average over a week's driving in the real world saw us hit an even better number — 63.6mpg!

The first thing you'll appreciate on settling into the large and supportive driver's seat is the visibility — not only do you enjoy superb views of the road ahead and to the sides (thanks to slim A-pillars, triangular quarterlights ahead of the front doors, and a panoramic windscreen) but rearwards too through the deep rear window. Best of all, the driving position feels nicely elevated: more compact SUV than supermini.

“In Econ mode the Jazz
is nippy and responsive;
cruising at motorway
speeds it’s agreeably
refined and as happy
as a lark. Economy-wise
it’s a real sweetie:
officially you can expect
to see 61.4mpg.
However, our test
average over a week’s
driving in the real world
saw us hit an even
nicer number: 63.6mpg!”

The smartly upholstered seats are very comfortable with light but effective bolstering and powered adjustability that incudes height for the driver. Three-stage heating is fitted to both front seats, as are height-adjustable seatbelts. The driver also has a fist-and-a-half of headroom - and that's with the seat jacked up! Shoulder room is good, there's space to spare to prevent inboard elbow clashes, and even long-limbed six-footers will feel at ease in the front where they can max out the legroom.

Another big plus for the driver is that you sit in line with the pedals: so no punishing hip, leg, or knee twisting is involved in placing your feet on the brake or accelerator, which in turn makes it easy to stay comfortable on the longest of road trips. Parking, too, is a cinch. And for that you can thank the first-rate visibility as well as the Jazz's tight turning circle, surround parking sensors, and a reversing camera that offers multiple views.

Posh is a word you don't hear so much these days, but the Jazz's cabin is noticeably that. The interior has been designed to appeal and to satisfy physically and visually with light-coloured (and pleated for extra comfort) fabric upholstery and appealing soft-touch leather panels. The clean-cut dash boasts a high-def, widescreen-format 9-inch infotainment touchscreen. All the switchgear is easily found and feels engineered, with the easily adjusted controls for the climate system all satisfyingly foolproof.

The centre console places the gear selector conveniently to hand, plus there are elegant design touches such as the two-tone trim along with a cool-looking, two-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel. As you'd expect, its multi-function controls are all clearly marked, and the good-to-grip rim is heated.

Certainly one of the best packaged cars in its class, the Jazz supermini provides masses of room for people and luggage within its space-efficient four-metre length. And Honda hasn't forgotten to include plenty of in-cabin storage: there are two gloveboxes stacked one above the other, the front door pockets hold real-world bottles (including regular-sized 75cl vino), there's a practical bin capped by the armrest between the front seats, a tray ahead of the gear selector lever that doubles as a bed for a smartphone, and three large dual-use cupholders — one at each end of the dash and a third in the centre tunnel.

Comms are comprehensive and the new 9-inch touchscreen features a smartphone-style display; the infotainment system offers plenty of features, supported by sharp and bright graphics and quick menus. For those who prefer to run their phone apps through the central touchscreen there's smartphone mirroring via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SatNav is provided by a built-in Garmin system and the 3D mapping scores highly for ease of use, clarity, and its straightforward spoken commands. You'll also find the de rigueur SOS button as well as four USB/charging USB ports.

“Jazz’s class-leading
interior space extends to
the rear cabin — two tall
adult passengers can
travel behind you in
comfort with plenty of
leg, knee, foot, and
wriggle room to lounge
about while keeping their
heads clear of the roof.
The backrests are set at a
relaxing angle that will
be praised on long trips.
There’s no question that
the Jazz offers first class
cabin space for four
grown-ups and given the
minimal central floor
tunnel, it’s for sure a
third can join the pair in
the rear...”

And there's more: hands-free Bluetooth telephone operation, Honda's Connect infotainment system and, letting you keep in touch with your Jazz from anywhere, a My Honda+ app for your smartphone; use it for numerous things, from locking and unlocking your Jazz from afar to sending destinations to the SatNav.

Voice control for the navigation and audio is installed should you prefer to keep your hands firmly on the wheel as much as possible. A four-speaker HiFi and DAB radio are also part of the package. More digital tech sits dead ahead of the driver in the form of a customisable digital instrument panel that's brilliant to use with all the essentials such as an unmissable road speed readout.

Honda doesn't just give you good kit, but plenty of it, starting with Smart Entry & Start — as you approach the Jazz it senses your key fob and unlocks the door for you. Once you're aboard there's a Start/Stop power button close by the wheel — press it and away you go! Locking and leaving is also key-free; a finger tap on either front door handle will do the trick.

In addition to the comprehensive comms already mentioned, and the powered fabric/leather seats, standard equipment also includes must-haves such as the Jazz's very efficient automatic AirCon (which does a lovely 'chill' on even the hottest days and come the seasonal white stuff keeps you as snug as a bug in a bed), four one-shot-op windows, tinted glass, electric parking brake with autohold, heated powerfolding door mirrors (on-demand and automatically on locking and leaving), Crystal Black rear spoiler and door mirror caps, shark fin aerial, embossed side mouldings, a two-tone roof, and a set of unique two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels.

Honda takes safety very seriously, and all Jazz models are five-star EuroNCAP rated and come fitted with Honda's Sensing suite: a full forward collision warning system with automated emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking, Blind Spot coverage, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Following, Adjustable Speed Limiter, Intelligent Speed limiter, Cross Traffic Monitor, Stability and Agile Handling Assists, and Road Departure Mitigation.

You also benefit from bright LED headlights with automatic high/low beam switching, LED daytime running lights, LED front and rear lights, auto lights and wipes, a full tally of airbags front and rear including one for the driver's knee, tyre deflation warning, traffic sign recognition, and whiplash-lessening front headrests.

The Jazz's class-leading interior space extends to its rear cabin — two tall adult passengers can travel behind you in comfort with plenty of leg, knee, foot, and wriggle room to lounge about while keeping their heads clear of the roof. The backrests are set at a relaxing angle that will be praised on long trips and views out through the long, deep side windows are good. There's no question that the Jazz offers first class cabin space for four grown-ups and given the minimal central floor tunnel, it's for sure a third can join the pair in the rear.

“The Jazz’s 304-litre boot
is big by the class
average and more than
large enough to maximise
the luggage count,
especially when slotting
in bulky holiday cases
below the rear
parcel shelf.
But it doesn’t end there:
drop the rear seats
and a 1,205-litre loadbay
opens up — that’s to the
roof; load to the window
line and there’s a still
worthwhile 844 litres...”

Comfort and space aside, other features that your rear passengers will welcome include large pouches on the front seatbacks with, above them, individual pockets for smartphones, a pair of USB charging ports, and bottle-holding door pockets. Child seat fixings are fitted to both the outer seats.

Earlier we mentioned the Jazz's 'magic' seats� If you've been to the cinema recently, you'll know exactly what we mean when we tell you that the Jazz's 60:40-split rear seat bases flip up like cinema seats. Lift either or both seat bases totally upright and they can be locked in place in an instant. Then, and easily accessed through the 90-degree-opening rear doors, you'll have a commodious full-width separate loadbay that's fully isolated from the Jazz's everyday boot. That's not just sleight of hand — it's pure magic!

The Jazz's 304-litre boot is big by the class average and more than large enough to maximise the luggage count especially when slotting in bulky holiday cases below the rear parcel shelf. The boot also benefits from being closer to the tarmac than many, and its load lip is helpfully low — both features being particularly useful when loading awkward items such as a fold-up pram or bulky pushchair. Also very handy is the large underfloor locker, the high-lifting tail, and the wide rear hatch.

And it doesn't end here: drop the rear seats and a 1,205-litre loadbay opens up (that's to the roof; load to the window line and there's a still worthwhile 844 litres). But it's more than just any old loadbay — this is a Honda Jazz loadbay. For a start, and unlike the rear seats in other cars, when the Jazz's rear backrests are folded down a clever mechanism allows their seat bases to simultaneously sink into the footwells, giving you several extra inches of height for cargo. Not only that, but the folded seatbacks sit perfectly flat and level to create a seamless loadbay so long items don't snag on their way in or out — all nice touches you won't get with other brands.

Driving today is about so much more than just getting from A to B. In these stressful times you need something as laid-back as it is practical and as relaxing to drive as it is economical. What you need, in fact, is a Jazz in your life! ~ MotorBar

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