You look at the Honda Jazz car, then turn away for a second – and immediately forget. It’s like an egg: what is the shape of the body, what is its color (although, of course, you can choose another). Similarly, taste and sensations – are so neutral that they do not remain in the memory. However, in reality, the Honda Jazz car is able to pleasantly surprise. And at least twice.
Honda Jazz design: is it a hatchback or a minivan?
Let everyone decide on their own. However, I personally prefer the last option. After all, all the signs of the almost forgotten “minivan” class are present here: the hood and glass are in one plane, the “wagon” body type, additional windows in front, and a massive rear part with a vertical trunk door. It seems that every millimeter of length (and in total here 4004 mm) was tried to be used as usefully as possible.
But there is another similarity. It seems that having become fascinated with the optimization of surfaces, they somehow completely forgot about their beautiful appearance. I’m not saying the car is ugly. But I say that nothing catches the eye here. Everywhere there are carefully “polished” smooth surfaces, and there are almost no design elements. Unless the attention is drawn to the double front roof racks and headlights with LEDs. However, the rear lights are of a traditional shape, and the design of the wheel rims is not clear at all. But, as is often the case with Honda cars, you shouldn’t judge the Jazz compact car by looks alone.
Really “compact”: the total length barely exceeds four meters, the wheelbase is 2.52 m – but there is enough space inside, thanks to the “wagon” design of the high (about 1.5 m) body. By the way, previous generations of the Honda Jazz car were made similarly: formally – like a hatchback, realistically – almost a minivan. This hint of a minivan finds its continuation in the interior of the car.
The front part of the cabin is immediately remembered not by the shape of the panel or two displays, but by excellent visibility! All thanks to the large windshield and additional windows. Other features are also present – for example, a smooth and flat front panel that does not “distract” the eye: in this case, this minimalism in design turns out to be useful.
The first impression is followed by the second: there are many cool “little things”! Here is the classic climate control unit with chrome handles, here is the double “glove” for the front passenger, and here is the pleasant fabric covering the seats, and the side windows in front. By the way, on the backs of the front seats, there is a place not only for ordinary pockets but also separate compartments for a smartphone – an additional “plus” for passengers in the back row.
Although the main advantage of the rear part of the cabin is excellent space. At a minimum, overhead, and legroom (flat floor!), but not in width – expect two adults to sit in the back, not three. However, they will sit comfortably, which is already an achievement for a 4-meter car. Another achievement is its excellent cargo capacity: the rear seats can either be raised or folded forward. So, do not worry about the small (304 l) trunk: in fact, the Honda Jazz is quite capable of transporting goods.
The interior of the car is small but carefully thought out. In front, everything is done with an emphasis on the convenience of the driver and passenger, and behind – with an emphasis on achieving maximum space and transformation possibilities.
Technology: miracle-hybrid
So, firstly, the Honda Jazz car is a hybrid in terms of its body type: more than a hatchback, it is almost a minivan. And secondly, the Honda Jazz car is a hybrid in terms of the design of the power unit: after all, a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor are combined here. The traditional 4-cylinder diesel engine has a high compression ratio (13.5) and works according to the Atkinson cycle. It develops a power of 98 hp. and 131 Nm of torque. Small? The developers believe that no more is needed because most of the time the electric motor is responsible for the acceleration and movement of the car – and this is 109 hp. power and 253 Nm of torque.
The hybrid system also includes a battery located in the trunk and an e-CVT transmission. Despite its name, this is not a variator, but a separate module responsible for switching the engine that currently turns the wheels: an electric motor or a gasoline diesel engine. After all, sometimes the latter can be connected to the wheels directly – this usually happens at high highway speeds.
Hybrid system Honda: HEV is interesting as mostly the gasoline engine works only as a generator to generate current and feed the electric motor. Only at highway speeds is the DVZ directly connected to the front wheels. Theoretically, this scheme promises good acceleration and excellent fuel economy. However, how does it all work in reality? Now let’s check…
Behind the wheel: miracle frugality
Smooth and soft – these two words fully describe the process of controlling acceleration or braking on a Honda Jazz. After all, every acceleration in the city takes place with the use of an electric drive, so there are no hints of transmission switching or engine “slowing down” due to environmental regulations. The more you press the accelerator pedal, the more you get acceleration. Of course, within the available capacity.
An additional B mode helps with braking. Although it would be more accurate to say “with slowing down”: after all, these settings are aimed at increasing the intensity of recuperation and energy accumulation. The B mode shows itself best during the process of resetting the speed while driving – a smooth deceleration as if you switched to a lower gear and braked the engine on a regular car. It is worth noting that in the usual D mode, the Honda Jazz simply coasts.
But the features of handling or suspension work are not to be remembered. For example, the suspension is average in terms of stiffness: here it shakes the body pleasantly and gently, but on the next big pit it gave a noticeable sharp push. The steering wheel feels light and average in sharpness, thanks to which the reactions to its turn are quite fast. After all, the Honda Jazz car allows you to “just drive” without thinking about the nuances of driving. But at the same time to get convenience, linearity, ease of acceleration, and impressive fuel economy.
Working together as part of a hybrid system, the gasoline engine and the electric motor give 9.3-9.4 seconds in acceleration from 0-100 km/h and fuel consumption of 3.4-3.5 liters in the city. On the highway, the car needs a little more – about 4.5 liters. In addition to the traditional D (Drive) mode, there is an additional option B (Brake): more energy recovery and braking. Plus, next to the lever there is an Econ button, which reduces dynamics to get an even lower level of fuel consumption.
Cost: twice the hybrid — but twice the price…
Having pleasantly surprised at least twice – with the interior space and the hybrid under the hood – here the Honda Jazz car is preparing to surprise again. However, it is unlikely that the price Honda Jazz of about 27,000 euros can be considered a reason for pleasant surprise. Even if we are talking about the maximum Executive configuration.
Although the equipment is really good: many frontal and side airbags (there is even a central airbag between the driver and passenger in case of a side impact), adaptive cruise control, lane keeping system, traffic sign recognition, monitoring of the “blind spots” of the rearview mirrors, climate control, instrument panel based on a 7-inch display, Honda Connect multimedia system and a 9-inch display, LED headlights.
Honda Jazz is much more expensive than ordinary B-class hatchbacks. But Honda Jazz is not an ordinary hatchback – it has the space of a minivand an economical hybrid, and good equipment: modern multimedia, digital panel instruments, a rearview camera, climate control, many airbags and active driver assistance systems.
Honda Jazz test drive results
So, the final score looks 2:1f – a spacious, comfortable interior and an economical hybrid against a high price. Unfortunately, the last point turns out to be almost the most important for most Ukrainians, which is why Honda Jazz cars are truly exclusive here. However, I think existing Honda Jazz owners or new buyers will not regret their choice. After all, this car can offer much more than you expect from it.
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