AS GOOD AS NEW
HONDA JAZZ
This hybrid supermini still feels box-fresh, says Jack Warrick, and has lots going for it
OUR TOP SPEC SR
he Honda Jazz has been with us for more than 20 years now and the current, fourthgeneration car ushered in the most comprehensive update the model has ever had. On top of a hefty interior overhaul, new, eye-catching styling and a host of premium safety equipment, it also received the de rigueur compact SUV treatment. This was for the Crosstar variant, which sits alongside the standard hatchback. The Crosstar is 31mm
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SR is abundant on the wider and 46mm and a continuously used market and it has all longer and its ride variable the kit you need, plus some height has been raised transmission. equipment you would by 37mm. It also has Total outputs are not expect at such a off-road styling details, 97bhp and 187lb ft, competitive price. such as black wheel for a 0-62mph arches, roof rails, body time of 9.6sec. cladding and a bespoke It’s a decent system, front grille design. with inspiration claimed to have The Jazz hatchback and Crosstar been drawn from Honda’s Formula share one drivetrain option. It’s an 1 hybrid power unit programme. economical hybrid unit, consisting of Although you won’t quite be hitting a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, two the same speeds as Verstappen & Co, electric motors, a lithium ion battery the Jazz’s use of electric motors
BUYER BEWARE U R B A N D E C AY Because the Jazz is typically used mainly in the city or other urban environments, look out for body scuffs and scrapes, along with kerb damage on the wheels.
You get plenty of kit, decent space and easy usability 70 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 13 APRIL 2022
PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS Its braking performance in damp conditions isn’t quite as good as some rivals’, our road testers found, possibly due to the lowresistance Yokohama BluEarth tyres fitted from new for improved economy. It’s something to bear in mind rather than worry about.
is effective, helping to provide a sharp throttle response and strong initial acceleration, with a smartly calibrated system to automatically adjust between petrol and electric driving modes. It’s ideal for low-key electric motoring in city environments. Economy is also up there at the top of the class. The hatchback is able to achieve a claimed combined economy of 62.8mpg and the Crosstar is rated at 58.9mpg. Meanwhile, standard equipment is equally impressive in the four specifications offered from the model’s 2020 launch. SE opens the range with a level of equipment that puts some larger, more premium cars to shame. Standard kit includes automatic lights and wipers, adaptive cruise control, climate control and electric door mirrors. All cars come with a suite of safety features as standard, too, including forward collision warning, lane keeping assistance and cross-traffic monitoring. SR spec is our pick of the range, thanks to its modest price and the added creature comforts you will make use of every day. These include a better infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, leather-embellished
