The Honda Jazz, cherished in Australia for nearly two decades, offered a winning combination of practicality and driving enjoyment in a compact package. Since its 2002 debut, the Jazz has impressed with its surprisingly spacious interior, cleverly designed to maximise space despite its small footprint, including innovations like a relocated fuel tank. It became known for its reliability and affordability, with prices starting at around $12,650 for the base model in its final year (2021). Later versions added features like a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, enhancing its driving appeal. Despite its popularity, the Honda Jazz has unfortunately been discontinued.

Pros:

• Spacious interior for a compact car
• Excellent fuel efficiency
• Reliable and affordable to maintain
• Good for city driving
  

Cons:

• Underpowered engine
• Tight cabin space for taller drivers
• Functional but not luxurious interior
• Road noise at higher speeds
  

The Honda Jazz, a quirky and practical hatchback, enjoyed a loyal following in Australia. Despite its small footprint, it surprised drivers with its spacious interior, making it a perfect city companion. The Jazz was known for its reliability and affordability, and it quickly became familiar on Australian roads. So, what made this car such a hit? What factors led Honda to discontinue it in early 2021, citing declining interest and shrinking margins in the light car segment? Interestingly, the light car segment has evolved since then, with offerings like the Toyota Yaris becoming more expensive and aiming for a more upmarket audience. What made the Jazz so popular, and why it might not have fit into the changing light car landscape? Let's find out!

* Data as on Jun, 2024

Exteriors

The Honda Jazz embraced a boxy, practical design that focuses on space over style.

Styling elements

The Honda Jazz wasn't known for turning heads with groundbreaking or sporty exteriors.  It embraced a distinct "tall-boy" design that prioritised practicality over sleekness. This meant a high roofline for fantastic headroom and a surprisingly large cargo space for its compact size. While not exactly aerodynamic, the tall design served its purpose well in the city.  Large, prominent headlights flanked a wide grille, giving the Jazz a cheerful and friendly face. Later generations incorporated more sculpted lines and curves along the body, adding a touch of dynamism, but it never strayed far from its functional roots.

Colour options

The Honda Jazz offers a variety of stylish colour options, including Phoenix Orange, Rally Red, Brilliant Sporty Blue, Modern Steel, Lunar Silver, Platinum White, and Crystal Black.

Wheel design

The Honda Jazz features a range of 15-inch wheels designed for urban agility and comfort, complementing its sleek design. With tyre options like the 175x65 R15, these wheels ensure reliable traction and stability, making everyday driving smooth and responsive.

Interiors

The Honda Jazz's interior emphasises practicality rather than luxury. One should not anticipate plush materials or extravagant finishes, as the primary objective is to optimise space and usability.

Interior layout and space

This is where the Jazz truly shines. Despite its compact exterior, the Jazz boasts a surprisingly spacious interior. The tall design translates to excellent headroom for both front and rear passengers, making it a comfortable choice for average to taller individuals. While the plastics might feel cheap, everything is well-assembled and built to last.

Comfort and ergonomics

While the seats aren't luxurious, they offer decent support and comfort for everyday driving. The ergonomics are generally good, with most controls readily accessible. However, some taller drivers might find the lack of a telescoping steering wheel restricts their ideal driving position.

Boot

The Jazz's boot is a strong suit, offering an impressive 354 litres of space with the seats up. This puts it right up there with some larger hatchbacks. Thanks to the clever magic seat system, you can further maximise cargo capacity by folding down the seats. This allows you to carry bulky items or even small furniture with ease. The fold-flat seats enhance its versatility, making the Jazz a true urban chameleon.

Technology and infotainment

The Honda Jazz never aimed to be a tech powerhouse, but it offered a decent array of features focused on usability over flashy innovations.

Infotainment system

The Jazz's infotainment system varied depending on the year model. Earlier models featured a simple setup with a small screen, limited functionality, and basic audio capabilities. Later generations saw upgrades to a 9.0-inch touchscreen interface; while still not the most cutting-edge system, it was user-friendly and offered the essential functions most drivers needed for everyday use.

Display cluster and Driver's display

The instrument cluster remained fairly traditional throughout the Jazz's lifespan. The 7" digital driver display typically consisted of analogue gauges for speed, RPM, and fuel level, with a small digital display for trip information and other basic readouts. This approach prioritised clarity and ease of use, ensuring drivers could access vital information quickly without distraction.

Navigation system

Navigation wasn't a standard feature on the Jazz. It was typically offered on higher trim levels or as a part of an optional package. Earlier models might have relied on in-dash navigation systems, while later iterations integrated navigation into the touchscreen infotainment system. While not the most advanced navigation system on the market, it provided basic functionality for getting around town or on longer journeys.

Connectivity

Smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allows drivers to access their favourite apps and features directly through the car's infotainment system. USB ports are standard for music playback and device charging.

Performance and engine

The Honda Jazz wasn't known for blistering performance or thrilling acceleration. However, its engine and drivetrain offered a compelling blend of practicality and everyday comfort.

Engine specifications

Throughout its production run, the Jazz relied on a naturally aspirated 1.2L or 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine. These engines prioritised fuel efficiency over raw power, delivering adequate performance for city driving and commuting. Don't expect neck-snapping acceleration—the Jazz is content with a leisurely approach. Merging onto highways might require some planning and patience, especially with a full load. However, the peppy nature of the engine makes it enjoyable to zip around town.

Transmission

Throughout its lifespan, the Jazz offered a five-speed manual or a continuous variable transmission (CVT). The manual transmission provides a more engaging driving experience, allowing greater control over gear selection. However, due to its smooth operation, the CVT is a popular choice for city driving. While it sacrifices some responsiveness for comfort, the CVT makes stop-and-go traffic a less stressful experience.

Braking system

The Jazz's braking system is adequate for everyday driving. The brakes offer good stopping power and a progressive feel, allowing for smooth and controlled deceleration. While they won't inspire confidence for aggressive driving, they do the job for typical city commutes and errands.

Handling

The Jazz isn't a sporty car by any means. Its tall design and focus on practicality translate to a comfortable but not particularly engaging driving experience. Body roll is noticeable when taking corners at speed, and the steering feels light and lacks feedback. However, the Jazz excels in tight city manoeuvres thanks to its compact size and excellent turning radius. Parallel parking becomes a breeze, and navigating narrow streets is a stress-free experience.

Fuel efficiency

This is where the Jazz shines. Combining the efficient engine and lightweight design translates to excellent fuel economy. Expect figures in the 5.5 to 6.2 L/100km range, depending on the model year and driving conditions. This makes the Jazz a budget-friendly choice, especially for those prioritising fuel efficiency.

Safety features

The Honda Jazz prioritised occupant safety by incorporating a range of safety features. These include airbags, a robust high-strength steel body structure to absorb impact, and three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners to ensure passengers' security. Additionally, it comes equipped with standard anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) to provide controlled stopping power in different driving conditions. Although it may not have advanced driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring or lane departure warnings found in some models, the Jazz still offers a reliable safety foundation for everyday driving.

Some of these safety features include:

• Reversing camera
• Electronic stability control
• Front Airbag Driver
• Lane keep Assist
• Blind spot warning
• Driver Attention Detection
• Brake Assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward Collision warning
• Hill-start Assist
• Road Departure Mitigation
• Seatbelts
• Side Curtain Airbags Front Row
• Vulnerable Road User Auto Emergency Braking
  

The Honda Jazz, introduced in Australia and New Zealand from July 2014 to 2021, received a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, which applies to all its variants.

Ownership experience

Based on community feedback, the Honda Jazz garners positive sentiments for its practicality, reliability, and economical nature. Many users appreciate its spacious interior and versatile storage options, making it ideal for both daily commuting and road trips. Owners highlight its fuel efficiency, with some noting impressive mileage figures and minimal maintenance costs over the years. The Jazz's compact size and nimble handling make it suitable for urban driving, although taller individuals may find the cabin somewhat cramped. Concerns raised include issues with certain models, such as rear coil failures and leaks, although these are generally manageable with proper maintenance. The Honda Jazz is praised for its value for money, clever use of space, and enduring appeal despite being discontinued in newer models.

Major strengths

• The Honda Jazz is praised for its practicality. It offers a spacious interior with versatile seating configurations and ample cargo space, especially with the innovative "Magic Seats" feature.
• Owners appreciate the Jazz's reliability and durability over years of ownership, often noting minimal issues and low maintenance costs.
• The Jazz is known for its excellent fuel economy, making it a cost-effective choice for daily commuting and longer trips.
• Its compact size and nimble handling make it well-suited for city driving and parking in tight spaces.
• Standard safety features such as dual frontal, side chest, and side head airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, and advanced seat belt reminders contribute to its appeal.
  

Major drawbacks

• Some users find the engine underpowered, especially in older models or when fully loaded, which can lead to sluggish acceleration, particularly on hills.
• Taller individuals have found the cabin cramped, with limited legroom in the rear seats, which can be a consideration for longer journeys.
• While functional, some perceive the interior materials and build quality as less premium than competitors in the same segment.
• Some owners note Road and engine noise as drawbacks, particularly at higher speeds or on rougher roads.
• The Jazz's handling may feel less stable at high speeds than larger vehicles, which could concern highway driving.

Maintenance costs and Warranty information

The average annual cost to own and maintain a Honda Jazz totals about $973, covering routine maintenance, fuel, insurance, and potential repairs. Pre-owned models purchased new before early 2021 may retain the original 5-year warranty, subject to mileage limits and regular servicing at Honda dealerships.

Verdict

A discontinued but well-regarded city car, the Honda Jazz prioritised practicality with surprising space, excellent fuel efficiency, and known reliability. Despite a lack of power and some tight cabin space, its compact size, manoeuvrability, and safety features make it a great used-car option for city dwellers seeking affordability and functionality.