Review: Honda Jazz Hybrid

The Honda Jazz is an extremely clever car in many ways. It's just a shame that you can't see it directly. But not only for optical reasons, since 2020 built small cars tend to remain a niche model in this country.

With a starting price of 23.850 euros, the Honda Jazz is one of the most expensive small cars in Germany

Practical instead of lifestyle?

Even much more pleasing small cars are currently finding it difficult in Germany to compete with the fashionable crossover competition to prevail in their class. The Honda doesn't even try. Instead of looks, he focuses on practical values. The kind of a Vans cut body with a short bonnet and high roof is not a feast for the eyes, but is hard to beat when it comes to capacity. The window line, which bends up towards the front, is just as inconsistent with current viewing habits and design trends as the diagonally branched A-pillar. Both together ensure a good view of the landscape and traffic. At least when looking ahead, there are currently few better cars on the market. When you look back, the wide C-pillars are annoying, which is recommended by the Backup camera but is partially offset.

The interior is clearly designed and well made, the material quality is rather mediocre

Lots of space in jazz

As already indicated, the interior of the Jazz is very spacious for a vehicle around 4 meters long. Above all, there is a lot of space in the front and in the rear, and the legroom in the rear is also impressive in a class comparison. The Honda also has a special trick up its sleeve for luggage: the seats on the back seat can be folded up like in a cinema, creating additional storage space. In addition, there is the trunk, which is already quite large at 304 liters and can be expanded to 1.205 liters by folding down the backrests. The mechanics are smooth-running during all these conversion work, foolproof and can be operated with little effort. The well thought-out room concept continues in the first row, where, in addition to numerous useful storage areas, the two-part glove compartment helps with organizing and stowing small items and papers.

2020 Honda Jazz e:HEV & Jazz Crosstar e:HEV

Feeling good included

Compared to earlier Honda models, the interior of the Jazz is designed to be much quieter and more pleasing. There are physical buttons and switches for most functions, only for some infotainment controls you have to type through the menu of the small central touchscreen, which is sometimes a bit cumbersome. After all, it works fast and is soon behind Vehicle launch available. The materials in the cockpit are kept simple, according to the vehicle class, but the plastics around the center console in particular are very scratch-sensitive, which makes them look aging quickly. There is nothing to criticize about the processing.

If you drive carefully, you can get by with less than four liters

This is how the Honda Jazz drives

When driving, the small Honda shows its best side in city traffic. The only drive available in Germany is a Hybrid system consisting of 1,5 liter petrol engine, generator and electric motor. The latter usually sets the front wheels in motion alone, while the combustion engine purrs quietly and produces driving current in a relaxed manner. Because it does so in a favorable load range, it is more economical than other petrol engines that have to do direct drive work. And despite the conversion losses into electrical energy, the Jazz is satisfied with three and a half to four liters per 100 kilometers. Because the electric motor ensures brisk start and decent acceleration at city speed, the Honda never comes across as a powerless economy vehicle. The even power delivery and the jerk-free propulsion thanks to the stepless power transmission are also pleasing, especially in the typical stop-and-go traffic. Drive technology reaches its limits at higher speeds. Then there is a noticeable lack of draft despite the petrol engine then rushing to help very noisily. Nevertheless, are more reserved. floating with the driving style, consumption well below five liters is also possible on the motorway and country roads.

Good driving experience, sporty is out

Jazz quickly chokes off sporting ambitions anyway. The droning petrol engine at high loads high center of gravity, the rather insensitive steering and the somewhat stiff-legged chassis show that driving pleasure is not the main task of the small five-door car. The comfort is okay, even if potholes and manhole covers are taken a bit stubbornly at low speeds. With higher speed However, springs and dampers work more and more smoothly.

Prices for the Honda Jazz

With a Starting price of 23.850 euros the Honda Jazz is one of the most expensive small cars in Germany. The high entry hurdle is mainly due to the electrified drive and is at least partially compensated for with extensive equipment. Even the basic version "Comfort" offers the most important extras, the small car is a little prettier thanks to 15-inch aluminum and body-colored add-on parts in the "Elegance" version for 25.000 euros - a surcharge that is worthwhile, since then the touchscreen and Parking beepers are on board. The most expensive variant is the "Crosstar Executive", which enhances the somewhat colorless exterior of the series with off-road add-on parts.

The trunk offers a good size

Conclusion on the small Honda

Rationally, there is little to complain about in Honda's small car classic. The drive is very economical, the foldable rear seat clever and the amount of space available overall is very good given the tight dimensions. The rich equipment puts the high price level into perspective. On the other hand, the Japanese shows weaknesses in terms of emotionality: the design should not be a reason for anyone to buy it. And that too driving behavior outside of city traffic, there are likely to be few fans in the autobahn country of Germany. If you don't let that scare you and buy primarily out of considerations of utility, you will certainly be happier with the practical five-door than with a fashionable, dynamic mini crossover.

Author: Holger Holzer / SP-X