Honda Jazz Review - Could This Hybrid Supermini Be Your Next Car?

preview_player
Показать описание

An astonishing number of Honda Jazz owners buy another and the MK4 model we're looking at here aims to keep them loyal. But the Japanese brand also needs to attract new converts to its clever little supermini, hence the decision to switch exclusively to full-Hybrid powerplant for this latest model. Plus there's an SUV-style Crosstar variant that aims to play to the Nissan Juke and Captur crowd. The good news is that despite all the new battery technology, the passenger compartment is still as flexible and practical as ever.

Background

This Jazz supermini is the first car in Honda's current line-up to go hybrid-only - but it won't be the last. The brand's i-MMD full-hybrid system, first seen on the CR-V, has been more compactly packaged for this installation. And the designers have worked hard to ensure that it doesn't impinge upon the flexibility of the 'Magic seat' interior design package that has given previous generation versions of this model a supermini-sized car with much of the greater practicality of a larger family hatchback.

Honda accepts that it might take this typically older clientele to get on board with the hybrid concept but expects that to happen pretty quickly. So what's on offer here? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

The Jazz comes only with one engine - the brand's e:HEV powertrain. This is a full-Hybrid unit - so properly electrified like a Toyota Yaris Hybrid, rather than being only mildly electrified like the MHEV unit you can now have in a Ford Fiesta. The difference is important because a full-Hybrid can have far more reliance on battery power, especially in urban conditions. In this case, it's a 1.5-litre unit putting out 108bhp which uses two electric motors and a compact lithium-ion battery pack. The combustion engine sends drive through a clever fixed-gear auto transmission which Honda reckons is smoother and more efficient than the type of belt-driven CVT set-up the Jazz had before (and the one that Toyota uses in its hybrids).

Basically the whole set-up is a downsized version of the 2.0-litre electrified engine used in the CR-V Hybrid and as there, you get selectable drive modes. Most of the time at the wheel of this Honda you'll be in 'Hybrid Drive', which combines the engine and the battery pack in the most efficient way possible while recovering electricity from deceleration and storing it for future use. 'EV Drive' forces the Jazz to run in electric-only mode (though it can only do that for very short distances). And the 'Engine Drive' setting combines the petrol engine and the electric motor output for maximum performance. In this mode, the e:HEV powertrain gives the Jazz a 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 108mph.

Design and Build

Honda has changed just about everything possible on the outside but it's a Jazz and you know what? It still looks like a Jazz. Slightly bulbous and unthreatening it remains but some of the detailing is now a bit sassier. At the front, the split A-pillars are designed to improve forward visibility and there's a pair of larger headlights and a chunkier bumper compared to the old model. It's still pretty compact though, measuring in at about 4-metres in length. At the rear, the previous model's vertically-stacked lights make way for more conventional horizontal units. Choose the SUV-inspired Jazz Crosstar model and you get roof rails, an elevated ride height, black plastic cladding around the wheel arches, two-tone paint and a bespoke grille, all in an attempt to introduce more of a Crossover vibe to this supermini.

Inside, there are wider 'body-stabilising' front seats supposed to reduce fatigue on longer journeys and the dash has a more minimalist, uncluttered look. Its centre touchscreen has smartphone-style swipe technology and incorporates wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. There's also a digital instrument cluster. Perhaps the best news though, is that Honda's clever 'Magic Seat' design remains in the rear, giving owners the option of either folding the rear bench flat or flipping up the seat bases to create a taller load space. Boot capacity is 298-litres with the rear seat in place - or 1,203-litres with it folded.

Follow OSV on:
Рекомендации по теме
Комментарии
Автор

So after 40 years the Japanese are making extremely high tech advanced car at a reasonable price.
Since I was a boy 👦, nothing has changed.
Excellent

beachboy
Автор

You’re one of the few reviewers that understands and actually explains how the Honda’s hybrid system is different than Toyota’s and others so thanks for that. Too many others simply say “oh it has a CVT” when it plainly doesn’t.

zadman
Автор

The Cross Star model unbelievably, loses the heated steering wheel, cross traffic monitor and blind spot monitor. Why?

ianyorke
Автор

Great review team. Seriously considering one of these, even though the Crosstar variant is only available with a standard combustion engine in NZ (sadly).

misterhoeflak
Автор

Enjoy them why you can, Honda is fast on its way of pricing itself out of existence, I'd suggest.

MrWilliam.Stewart
Автор

HONDA JAZZ by far, the best car in it´s class. More roomy, the best consumption and the best security Euro Ncap 5*

victorpires
Автор

Bring the Crosstar 4WD to the U.S. and I'll buy one.

DavidMichaelKalman
Автор

I wonder how the Chinese retail prices compare to U.K. prices? 50% reduction?

ralphraffles
Автор

This car looks like the North American Fit, from the front, before 2015 when they upgraded its looks. Must be a retro thing.

TechSavvy.
Автор

So far, every video review if seen about the new Jazz, has been for the " UK" stearing wheel wheel on the right side! and nothing was said about the fule milage? how many gallens does the car hold? or how long the Battery lasts. i googled that, and they claim 64.5 mpg! as an average. THATS FANTASTIC. eLETRIC BATTERYS ARE UNDER WARRENTEE FOR 8 YEARS, OR 100K But are very very expensive to replace, hopfully the price will come down. Great work, HONDA!

anetajohnson
Автор

Whats a 250ml bottle? Hotel mini bar size? Havent seen anything smaller than 0.5l yet anywhere...

TomTheAustrian
Автор

If I could afford one I would certainly put in on my want to test drive one. As it stands I'll let it pass

geoffwright
Автор

I'm seriously looking at one of these as against a Toyota Yaris. Enjoyable and informative video but is that RUST at 6:18 underneath the badging emblem?

hondamonkeyboy
Автор

Driver's seat does not elevate enough for 5ft person.

murielcarlier
Автор

We’ll stick to the previous model.
Nice but too overpriced and uneconomic a purchase.

Backwardlooking
Автор

All of these small hybrid cars are much too expensive. I think the Jazz is the best of the "proper" hybrid superminis. A fair price for this type of small car should be £17- £20k. The top price mentioned should have all the bells and whistles with no hidden extras like £1000 for other paint options!. The Suzuki Swift and larger Suzuki Vitara mild hybrids are far better value overall. I know they are not full hybrids but who cares! I think the Suzuki's are more distinctive to look at. and in the real world won't be much more expensive to run. The Honda Jazz may be a clever car but in the basic white paint is bland for a £20k plus car. The Cross star is more interesting to look at but still pricey. If I was spending my own 20k, I would want it to look like a 20k car. The Jazz doesn't. The new Yaris is more interesting to look at but is very cramped and has a poorly built interior for a 20k car. Thanks for the usual detailed review. Your reviews are the best on Youtube.

phil
Автор

The car still looks rubbish
It needs to have more of a sporty look like Honda civic

Toyota Corolla looks way better

mavicwarrior
Автор

Your language and speaking pace is distracting for some viewers. 🥱.
Many reviewers use easier language. 🤔

enricio
Автор

I went for a test drive today. Not an exiting or an aggressive car, however I absolutely loved it and so did my dad. A very sophisticated and minimalistic car which was also very comfortable. I warmly recommend to give it a chance. It's not cheap in any way but the package is surprisingly well put together. It went straight to the top of my list.

klaseronen
Автор

A reviewer that actually does their homework?? Subscribed!
Most other reviewers just say it has a CVT and complain about its looks. they clearly didn’t do any kind of research on the car.

XcaliburReborn