Honda Jazz Review: Everything to Know Before Buying

We will explore the ins and outs of this popular hatchback, including its background, interior and exterior features, performance, fuel efficiency, hybrid system, and more.

By the end of this review, you'll clearly understand what the Honda Jazz offers and whether it's the right choice for you.

Let's get started!

The Honda Jazz, also known as the Honda Fit in some markets, is a subcompact hatchback in production since 2001. Over the years, the Jazz has gained a reputation for its practicality, fuel efficiency, and versatile interior.

Currently, Jazz is in its fourth generation, which was introduced in 2020. The latest generation features a more refined design, advanced technology, and an available hybrid powertrain, making it a popular choice for those searching for a versatile and efficient city car.

The Honda Jazz offers a thoughtfully designed interior that maximizes space and comfort. Here are some top perks of the Honda Jazz interior:

• Seating and Upholstery - The Jazz can comfortably seat up to five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom for all occupants. The seats are supportive and well-padded, with higher trims featuring leather upholstery and heated front seats. It also offers power windows on every passenger seat.
• Storage Solutions and Cargo Capacity - The Jazz's "Magic Seat" system allows for versatile storage options, including a flat-folding rear seat and a flip-up rear seat cushion. With the rear seats folded, the Jazz offers an impressive cargo capacity of up to 1,314 litres.
• Climate Control and Ambient Lighting - Automatic climate control is available on higher trim levels, ensuring a comfortable cabin temperature regardless of weather conditions. It offers a great air conditioner (AC). Some models also feature customizable ambient lighting, adding a touch of sophistication to the interior.

The Honda Jazz's exterior design combines style and practicality.

• LED Lighting - LED headlights and taillights enhance the Jazz's modern appearance and improve nighttime driving visibility. The distinctive design of the taillights ensures that the car is easily recognizable on the road.
• Alloy Wheels and Color Options - Alloy wheels are standard on most trim levels, adding a sporty touch to the Jazz's exterior. Various vibrant and sophisticated colour options allow buyers to personalize their car's appearance.
• Aerodynamics - The sleek and aerodynamic design of the Honda Jazz contributes to its impressive fuel efficiency, minimizing air resistance and optimizing performance.

The Honda Jazz comes packed with an impressive array of features, making it a strong contender in the hatchback market.

Safety Features

Honda has equipped the Jazz with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including:

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
• Multi-angle rearview camera

Additionally, the advanced Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance technologies is available, offering features such as Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

Connectivity and Infotainment

Jazz's infotainment system boasts a user-friendly interface and seamless smartphone integration. Key features include:

• Touchscreen display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Bluetooth connectivity
• USB ports for charging and audio playback
• Optional satellite navigation and premium audio system

Comfort and Convenience

The Honda Jazz offers a range of comfort and convenience features, ensuring a pleasant driving experience for drivers and passengers. Some of these features include:

• Automatic climate control
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors
• Cruise control
• Rear parking sensors

The driving experience is a crucial factor when choosing a car. This section will explore various aspects of the Honda Jazz's driving dynamics, including the overall feel, noise levels, and whether it can accommodate different driving styles.

What is it like to drive?

The Honda Jazz provides a comfortable and smooth driving experience. It offers a precise and light car steering wheel, making maneuvering around tight city spaces and corners easy. The suspension does a good job of absorbing road imperfections, ensuring a comfortable ride even on rougher surfaces.

The available engines – the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines and the hybrid powertrain – deliver adequate power for daily driving. While it may not be the most thrilling car, the Jazz's performance is sufficient for urban commuting and occasional highway trips.

The hybrid variant, in particular, offers smooth and responsive acceleration thanks to the combination of the petrol engine and electric motor.

Is it noisy?

Honda has taken measures to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in Jazz. The cabin is well-insulated, keeping road and wind noise to a minimum.

The engines are generally quiet during normal driving but can become more audible when pushed hard. However, the noise levels remain within acceptable limits and should not be a significant concern for most drivers.

With its electric motor, the hybrid variant can operate almost silently when running in EV mode. This feature is especially beneficial in urban environments, where noise pollution can be a concern.

Do you have to drive it like your granny?

While the Honda Jazz may not be a performance-oriented hatchback, it doesn't mean you have to drive it like your granny.

The Jazz is elegant and easy to handle, making driving enjoyable even at a more spirited pace. The available engines provide enough power for most driving situations, allowing you to merge confidently onto highways and overtake slower vehicles.

That said, it's essential to remember that the Jazz is designed primarily for comfort and practicality, not outright performance. If you're looking for a sportier driving experience, other options within the hatchback segment might be more suitable.

Ride Comfort and Stability

One of the key strengths of the Honda Jazz is its ride comfort. The suspension is tuned to balance comfort and handling, ensuring a smooth and composed ride.

This tuning is particularly beneficial on longer journeys, where the Jazz remains comfortable and stable even at highway speeds.

The car's excellent ride quality is further enhanced by the supportive and well-padded seats, making the Jazz an excellent choice for short and long trips.

Braking Performance

The Honda Jazz has disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. These brakes provide adequate stopping power for the car's size and weight.

The brake pedal feel is consistent and progressive, giving drivers confidence when they need to slow down or come to a complete stop.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is a key strength of the Honda Jazz, with the hybrid model achieving impressive results.

The 1.3-litre petrol engine is economical, with official combined fuel consumption figures of around 5.0L/100km.

The 1.5-litre petrol engine offers slightly higher consumption rates but maintains competitive efficiency within its class.

The fuel tank is also in a good location under the front seats.

Overall Performance

The Honda Jazz offers a comfortable and smooth driving experience, with a suspension system designed to absorb road imperfections and provide excellent ride quality.

The standard 1.3-litre petrol engine delivers adequate power for city driving, while the optional 1.5-litre petrol engine and hybrid powertrain provide a more spirited performance.

The Honda Jazz's innovative hybrid system sets it apart from its competitors.

• e: HEV Powertrain - The e: HEV powertrain combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering both power and efficiency. The system can switch seamlessly between three modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, optimizing performance for different driving conditions.
• Regenerative Braking - Jazz's hybrid system features regenerative braking, which captures energy typically lost during braking and uses it to recharge the battery. This technology further enhances fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.
• Eco-Friendly Credentials - With its hybrid system, the Honda Jazz offers an environmentally conscious option for buyers, producing lower emissions than traditional petrol engines. The car's efficiency also translates to reduced running costs and potential savings on fuel.

Honda offers a competitive warranty and maintenance package for the Jazz, providing peace of mind for buyers.

• Warranty Coverage - The Honda Jazz comes with a standard 3-year/100,000-kilometer warranty, which can be extended by purchasing an additional warranty package. This coverage includes the hybrid system components, protecting buyers against unexpected repair costs.
• Maintenance - Routine maintenance is essential to keep the Honda Jazz running smoothly and efficiently. The Jazz features a maintenance reminder system, which alerts the driver when a service is due.
• Service Intervals - Service intervals for the Jazz are typically every 12 months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

Resale Value - The Honda Jazz has a reputation for holding its value well over time, thanks to its reliability, build quality, and overall appeal. This makes it an attractive option for buyers considering selling or trading in their vehicle.

The Honda Jazz is available in several trim levels, catering to various budgets and preferences. These include:

• Honda Jazz Base - The base model features the 1.3-litre petrol engine, 5-Speed manual and Variable Speed CVT transmission gearbox transmission, essential features such as air conditioning, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a suite of safety features.
• Honda Jazz Comfort - The Comfort trim adds extra amenities, including automatic climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, an upgraded infotainment system, and additional safety technologies.
• Honda Jazz Elegance - The Elegance trim further enhances the Jazz's features list, incorporating leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a premium audio system. This model is also available with the 1.5-litre petrol engine or the hybrid powertrain.
• Honda Jazz Executive - The top-of-the-line Executive trim is available exclusively with the hybrid powertrain and offers the most luxurious and feature-packed driving experience. Additional features include satellite navigation, a sunroof, and the full Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance technologies.

Pricing for the Honda Jazz varies depending on the trim level and options, but it remains competitive within its segment. It has a huge model range.

When considering the Honda Jazz, weighing the pros and cons is essential.

Pros

• Spacious and versatile interior
• Fuel-efficient hybrid option
• Comprehensive safety features
• Attractive exterior design
• Competitive Pricing

Cons

• Lacks some of the sportiness found in competitors
• Limited rear visibility due to the split rear window

So, it's an awesome car! And it's also considered a great small car.

In conclusion, the Honda Jazz is a practical and versatile hatchback that offers a comfortable driving experience, a spacious and well-designed interior, and excellent fuel efficiency.

With its hybrid powertrain option, the Jazz is also an environmentally friendly choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. People prefer it as a second car.

It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of the Jazz against your specific needs and preferences, but overall, it's a reliable and attractive option within the subcompact hatchback segment.

To take the stress out of financing your new car purchase, Driva's Honda finance allows you to get personalised rates and compare 30+ lenders in minutes, ensuring you find the best deal possible. Find the best Honda Australia car in minutes with the dealer delivery details!

You may want to explore other hybrid car options in the Australian market with our list of Best Hybrid Cars.

Q: Is the Honda Jazz discontinued in Australia?

A: As of 2021, Honda has discontinued the Jazz in Australia. However, you may still find pre-owned models or remaining new stock at dealerships.

Q: Is the Honda Jazz a reliable car?

A: Yes, the Honda Jazz has a reputation for being a reliable and durable vehicle. Its build quality, and low maintenance costs make it an attractive choice for long-term ownership.

Q: What is the disadvantage of Honda Jazz?

A: One potential drawback of the Honda Jazz is its limited rear visibility due to the split rear window design. Additionally, some drivers may find the Jazz less sporty than competitors in driving dynamics.

Q: How does the Honda Jazz compare to its competitors?

A: The Honda Jazz competes against cars like the Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2, Suzuki Swift, and Volkswagen Polo. While each vehicle has unique strengths and weaknesses, the Jazz stands out for its spacious interior, fuel economy, and versatile storage options.