Big on economy, big on space, so why isn’t the Jazz lauded as the best supermini money can buy?
As a small car nothing can touch its practicality, like the brilliant flip up back seats, wide opening for the huge boot with its flat loading area, and it is well built with quality fittings. Yet it has never managed the following of the much lamented Ford Fiesta, or a Vauxhall Corsa or VW Polo. When I recommended Jazz to a young first time buyer he replied, ‘don’t want one, it’s an old man’s car’. He bought a Seat Ibiza.
Maybe that is part of the problem, Jazz just isn’t a ‘cool’ car. Then there is the price. Is 30 grand too salty for a small family car?
Let’s see if we can make a case for Jazz. Some of what you are paying for is the hybrid technology which is way ahead of much of the opposition. Its big rival and equally advanced Toyota Yaris hybrid is expensive as well.
In the latest upgrade the traction motor’s power has been increased to 90kW so team that up with the 1.5 litre engine and there is 120bhp and 253Nm of torque. A clever CVT gearbox picks the right gear depending on how hard you push the accelerator so if you want a quick burst of speed you get it. Be prepared though for an ear bashing from the engine as the revs rise.
As Jazz is a full on hybrid you get regenerative braking to recharge the battery by flicking the gearlever or graduated using steering wheel paddles. The upshot is the car often drives on electricity in urban conditions and seamlessly switches to engine power as and when. The payback is supa dupa economy so expect mid sixties cruising. My week was mainly short hops but I still managed 59.8mpg which in a small way contributes to the cost of the car.
While hybrid plays a big part in the car’s appeal the space should mark it out as an exceptional small family car. It is a touch wider than the average supermini providing enough shoulder room to make this a genuine five seater. Front and rear legroom is also better than it should be for a car this size.
A few rivals can match the boot space of a Jazz but it is the layout that makes it stand out. The hatchback aperture is really wide, there is no boot lip and the seats fold as flat as a bed so there is a lot of room to play with if needed. The front seats fold flat as well and then you have the flip up back seat cushions leaving space for a child’s bike or a couple of tall plants. Jazz has been very carefully thought out.
Equipment levels are high across the three model range and there are three engine modes – normal, eco and sport. Not sure it is needed other than to entice a younger driver may be. It sharpens throttle response and holds the revs so you suffer the engine noise for longer!
What’s it like on the move? I would not class it as a great drive, sort of average sums it up, although it did not do a bad job of cushioning speed humps. If I wanted hot hatch thrills I would be heading for Seat Ibiza but that is not what Jazz is all about.
My own car is the new Citroen C3 mild hybrid, heaps cheaper, but I can’t get close to the Honda’s economy. The Honda’s build quality and interior fittings are a better standard and Jazz has more safety aids like blind spot alert and adaptive cruise control.
Surprisingly my wife prefers our car because the driving position is higher and she didn’t like the engine din from the Jazz. I preferred Jazz. So why didn’t I buy one? Well, it was too much to spend on a small car and I am satisfied with second best.
Fast facts
Jazz Advance Sport
£31,670 (starts £28,475)
1.5 petrol + two electric motors, 120bhp
0-62mph 9.6secs; 109mph
61.4mpg combined
105g/km. 1st VED £405
Insurance group 22
Boot: 304-1205 litres
