Fleet Directory

Traffic information:

Honda Jazz i-VTEC HE Hybrid CVT road test

Freshened up for 2011, the enhanced Honda Jazz builds on the characteristics that has made the Japanese supermini one of the most popular in its segment. A new front, reintroduction of a CVT gearbox, improved magic seats and revised engine choices can’t disguise the fact that the introduction of hybrid technology is the big story with this small, yet spacious car.

image 1 image 2

Performance

Taken from another of Honda’s growing stable of hybrid-powered cars, the Honda Jazz on test has a whisper quiet 1.3-litre petrol (i-VTEC) engine coupled to Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) technology. This cutting edge powertrain means that the Jazz is the very first supermini available as a hybrid, and while its headline environmental credentials can be matched, and in some cases bettered, by the latest frugal diesel engines, CO2 emissions of 104g/km are still impressive. Coupled to the powertrain is the reintroduction of Honda’s CVT gearbox. This ultra-practical automatic provides the driver with seamless and smooth acceleration, meaning that that frustrating pause of most autoboxes as you press down on the pedal is a thing of the past. The complete powertrain package is ideal for motorists that want the simplest of drives – in fact it’s hard to envisage an easier, more motorist-friendly experience behind the wheel. It really is a joy to drive. As you would expect from a hybrid, the Jazz is also economical with its use of fuel – the IMA takes some of the strain away from the petrol engine when accelerating, and in certain circumstances the car can run for short distances purely in EV mode – it’s a challenge to find these circumstances, but satisfying when you do so. Honda literature states a combined fuel economy figure of 62.8mpg, and while on test we didn’t approach that figure our mainly busy city centre driving saw mpg at over 50 which is impressive. The Jazz hybrid also benefits from being fitted with an auto stop-start system, which helps conserve precious fuel, and regenerative braking which tops up the battery in the IMA system. Finally, Honda has also included a big green ECON button on the Jazz for drivers that really want to maximise the car’s economy – when in this mode there’s less power to call upon, the air-con is modified, and the CVT gearbox is tweaked but you’ll barely notice these subtle changes on busy urban roads.

Ride & Handling

Ideal for the city and drivers wanting a light touch at low speed, the car’s handling is unashamedly very light, and is perfect for the urban environment. When looking at the complete package of light steering, CVT gearbox, and the exceptional visibility offered to the driver then this Jazz is THE perfect city car. The usual stresses and strains of city driving seem to melt away behind the wheel. Obviously, there’s plenty of occasions when the car will be required to venture onto the motorway and it is here where the revised Jazz has seen the engineers at Honda tinker away as the handling stiffens up considerably, giving pleasant and precise feedback. The hybrid weights in at 70kg more than a standard Jazz but thanks to tweaks to the damper settings the car handles and feels like any other 2011 Jazz.

Build Quality & Reliability

Typical of all Honda produced vehicles the build quality of the Jazz is top class. It’s their most popular model, even out-selling the Civic, so there are plenty of them around, over 3.5 million examples in fact around the world. The Jazz has clocked up some impressive reliability awards too – including an impressive second place in Which? Car’s 2009 awards, and best in class in the 2010 JD Power Survey. Inside the Jazz, practicality and durability seem to be the watchwords, with hardwearing materials used, and a real sense of utilising all the available space. A nice touch are the cup holders used as “bookends” on the dash – great use of space and without doubt the best cup holders in the automotive industry! There should be little to worry drivers of the Jazz Hybrid either when it comes to reliability of the IMA/1.3 litre engine combination, as it is also used in the Honda Insight, which has been sold in the UK for over two years with little cause for complaint. In fact the IMA system comes complete with a 5-year guarantee from the manufacturer, for additional peace of mind.

Safety & Security

The Jazz has an ace body, literally. Known as Ace Compatibility Engineering, or ACE for short, the Jazz designers have created a cocoon for occupants should it be involved in a variety of crash types. It’s a concept that is now being rolled out with all new Honda models. As you’d expect the Jazz also comes with the usual long list of airbags, as well as ISOFIX fittings for child seats. Electronic stability control (ESC) comes as standard across the range, and back in 2009 the Jazz was awarded 5 stars in its Euro NCAP test. So overall, you can be sure that the supermini is a safe little car.

Space & Practicality

Perhaps the Jazz’s star turn is how flexible and practical it is. While it might sit on a small wheelbase (it is shorter than a Ford Fiesta), the Jazz genuinely offers enough space for four adults to travel in comfort. There is also enough space in the rear for a third adult for shorter journeys. The five-door configuration makes it simple to access the rear seats, ideal for those slightly less supple or with a young family. The Jazz also benefits from revised “magic seats”, standard across the range, which comes for the first time with the rear seats able to recline. Configured in a classic 2:1 formation, the seats can be quickly and easily folded flat to create a large storage space. Finally, the car’s skinny A-pillars and large expanse of windscreen ensure that visibility for the driver is excellent - noticeably so!

Ownership & Value

Prices of the Jazz Hybrid start at £15,995, for the entry-level HE trim on test, rising to £19,305 for the top-of-the-range HX with integrated satnav, at May 2011 pricing. The Hybrid is available in a choice of 3 trim levels (or 6 if you count the additional expense of integrated satnav), HE, HS, and HX. For the additional expense HS gets you alloy wheels, cruise control, leather steering wheel, and retractable wing mirrors, while the top spec HX adds such things as a large panoramic sunroof and leather upholstery. All 3 come with the same Stereo/CD package, although for some strange reason only the HS and HX comes with a USB socket. For drivers wanting the integrated satnav, then “-T” is added to any of the trim levels, and you can add £1,400 onto the car’s price. Advantages of opting for the hybrid over a conventional powered Jazz is that the car’s running costs will be noticeably lower, with trips to the petrol station less frequent, and the car will be cheaper to tax. Unfortunately, a change to the exemption scheme for the London Congestion Charge in January 2011 has meant that the Jazz Hybrid fails to qualify. All new Hondas come with a 3 year/90,000 mile manufacturer warranty, with the IMA coming with a 5 year guarantee.

Recommended in this category