HONDA JAZZ SWINGS INTO CENTRE STAGE

Honda_Jazz_front

Fuel frugality, a highly versatile cargo carrying capacity and high-tech driving aids have the new Honda Jazz giving a compact-car masterclass. The third generation Honda hatchback scales the heights of the light passenger car segment.

The new five-door Honda Jazz boasts more interior space, especially rear leg room, maintains Honda’s unique Magic Seat system and is kitted out with a 7-inch colour touchscreen and multi-mode reversing camera.

Jazz comes in four variants – VTi manual and automatic, and VTi-S and VTi -L automatic (our the test car) – ranging in price from $14,990 to $22,490, with the option of metallic paint.

A three-year / 100,000 kilometre warranty can be extended to five years as a cost option.

STYLING
The new Honda Jazz holds its own among the latest rivals with a steeply raked windscreen and smooth curved roof dipping to a sharp looking rear.

A tall stance makes for ample headroom front and back, while the wedge shape profile and a flatter underbody contribute to improved aerodynamics, hence fuel economy.

An extended wheelbase compared with the last Jazz gives more legroom in the back, while interior space is made use of by the Honda Magic Seat set-up which can be configured in up to 18 different ways.

Honda_Jazz_rear

Modes include normal five-seater; utility, in which the rear seat backs are folded flat; tall, with the back seat bases flipped up to give floor-to-ceiling space for carrying tall objects; long, with the front passenger seat back folded forward flat; and refresh, where the same seat back is folded back against the second row allowing the occupant to stretch out flat.

INFOTAINMENT
The interior has been completely redesigned to give greater ergonomic performance, new instruments and controls oriented to the driver for quick action. Focus of the instrument cluster is a large speedometer circled by Eco Assist lighting, the colour changing from blue to green as the driver achieves greater driving efficiency.

A multi-Information display lets you scroll through information such as estimated fuel consumption, clock, outside temperature, fuel remaining and transmission gear selector position.

Honda_Jazz_interior

The touch screen display audio is centrally positioned for driver or front passenger to control. New-style steering wheel-mounted controls provide quick and easy access to various functions and information without the driver having to remove their hands from the wheel.

The 7.0-inch touchscreen supplies a link to Bluetooth connectivity for Apple and Android systems, including audio streaming and Siri integration via Apple iPhone through voice commands by holding down the ‘Talk’ button on the steering wheel. There’s HDMI audio and video playback.

Cleverly, the centre console armrest in the Jazz VTi-S and VTi-L folds up to reveal storage big enough for an Apple iPad or similarly sized tablet. Included are a 12-volt power socket and USB port. The armrest lid has an indent to allow wires to pass through with the lid closed.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
The upgraded 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine has had a number of upgrades to improve combustion, reduce weight and minimise friction, resulting in increased power and fuel efficiency, the latter further enhanced on CVT models by engaging a green, dash-mounted ‘ECON’ button, optimising system control of the transmission, engine and other powertrain elements.

Honda rates the combined urban / extra urban fuel consumption of this powertrain combination at 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres, with carbon dioxide emissions of 135 grams per kilometre.

The Honda CVT automatic transmission is new and has ‘G-design shift’ logic designed to offer more immediate acceleration response than conventional automatics or other CVTs.

SAFETY
Key features of the Jazz safety systems include six airbags (front, side and full length curtain); Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, plus Hill Start Assist.

The brake lights flash when hard emergency stopping is applied by the driver.

There are seat belt reminders for all occupant positions and a driver-selected multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines helps when reversing the vehicle.

DRIVING
Keyless entry and engine start / stop are straight off the premium car equipment shelf and add to the ease of getting in, loading and setting off in the new Jazz.

The Honda Jazz platform is lighter yet more rigid than before, providing nimble, semi-sporty handling and smoother steering that gives the driver a sense of complete control of the vehicle.

The automatic’s ‘S’ mode provides seven manually-selectable ratios using steering wheel-mounted paddles. The system is nicely capable during spirited driving.

In Normal mode the test Jazz topped 10 litres per 100 kilometres in the urban environment, while at motorway speeds had a much more respectable best figure of 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

SUMMING UP
The Jazz has moved ahead enough to appeal to Honda’s loyal followers, and may well attract many other buyers from other makers.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL LINE-UP
Honda Jazz VTi: $14,990 (manual), $16,990 (automatic)
Honda Jazz VTi-S: $19,790 (automatic)
Honda Jazz VTi-L: $22,490 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Honda dealer for drive-away prices.

FEATURES
Electrically adjustable door mirrors with LED turn indicators
LED projector-beam headlights and taillights
Cruise control
Eco Assist
ECON Mode (automatic transmission only)
Magic Seats
Four-speaker audio
Display Audio (7-inch colour touchscreen), including AM/FM radio and CD player
Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
USB ports (x2), HDMI port
Siri Eyes Free mode
MP4 movie file play
Multi-angle reversing camera
SRS airbags: dual front, side and full-length curtain
Anti-lock Braking System
Electronic Brake-force Distribution
Emergency Stop Signal
Hill Start Assist
Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control System
Whiplash mitigating front seats
Black leather-appointed seat trim (VTi-L)
Heated front seats (VTi-L)
Rear parking sensors (VTi-L)
Rear seat centre fold-down armrest (VTi-L)
Smart entry and push button start (VTi-L)
Tailgate spoiler (VTi-L)

SPECIFICATIONS (Honda Jazz i-VTEC 1.5 4-cylinder in-line petrol engine)
Capacity: 1497 cc
Bore x Stroke: 73.0 mm x 89.4 mm
Compression Ratio: 10.3:1
Maximum Power: 99 kW @ 6600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 145 Nm @ 4600 rpm

DRIVELINE:
Continuously variable transmission, paddle shifters, transmission shift lock

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 3996 mm
Width: 1694 mm
Height: 1524 mm
Wheelbase: 2530 mm
Track: 1476 mm (front); 1465 mm (rear)
Ground clearance: 135 mm
Tare weight: 1130 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 40 litres
Towing capacity: 900 kg (braked); 450 kg (unbraked)
Turning circle: 10.4 metres

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Suspension: McPherson strut (front); torsion beam (rear)
Brakes: Ventilated discs (front); drum (rear) Anti-locking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Emergency Stop Signal. Hill Start Assist. Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System.
Steering: Electric power rack and pinion
Wheels and tyres: Alloy. 16 x 6J 165/55 R16. Space saver spare

PERFORMANCE
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: N/A
Top speed: N/A

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel type: 91 RON unleaded
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 5.6 litres per 100 km. CO2 emissions 135 g / km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 8.0 / 10
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5 / 10

WARRANTY:
Three years / 100,000 kilometres

About Derek Ogden

On graduating with an honours degree in applied science in London, Derek Ogden worked for the BBC in local radio and several British newspapers as a production journalist and writer. Derek moved to Australia in 1975 and worked as a sub-editor with The Courier Mail and Sunday Mail in Brisbane, moving to the Gold Coast Bulletin in 1980 where he continued as a production journalist. He was the paper's motoring editor for more than 20 years, taking the weekly section from a few pages at the back of the book to a full-colour liftout of up to 36 pages. He left the publication in 2009.
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