Honda Jazz is currently presented to us in a new generation. And it continues to be a car that places great emphasis on interior spaciousness with very well-functioning ergonomics.
Newly, however, the car comes with a well-thought-out hybrid engine, which can be very efficient in its operation and successfully pushes the car's consumption below 4 l/100 km.
Exterior – simple and purely practical lines
The new generation Honda Jazz comes with a very moderate exterior appearance. The "Rošťák" expression and sharper lines of the previous generation are simply gone, and the new Jazz now has noticeably sleeker and more practical shapes.
The spaciousness of the interior itself was very clearly reflected in its external proportions. The car effectively combines hatchback and MPV body elements, this connection is most evident in the side silhouette of the car, specifically in the higher proportions of the roof itself.
The side profile is enlivened by the practical "bifurcation" of the A-pillar, the front part of which offers very subtle proportions. Thanks to this solution, the car has an excellent view, which is additionally supported by a generously dimensioned windshield.
As part of the front part, the new generation of Jazz unfortunately returns to the slightly "cool" expression that we know from earlier generations. The car thus has relatively voluminous front lamps, which are at least enlivened and softened by an elegant line of daytime running lights.
The rear part is very calm in the spirit of the whole car, worth mentioning here is the relatively large trunk lid, which runs relatively deep into the rear bumper. The luggage compartment is thus easily accessible and has a low-oriented loading edge.
Interior – emphasis on interior spaciousness and good ergonomics
As I already announced in the evaluation of the exterior, the new Jazz will offer a very spacious interior thanks to its proportions. In addition, its spaciousness is complemented by high-quality workmanship and, thanks to the imaginative concept of the front glazing, it is also well lit.
After sitting in the car, thanks to the higher position behind the wheel and the large glazing, you have an excellent view. I also praise the seats themselves, which are richly dimensioned and comfortable. Magic Seats, which are very practically adjustable, were a matter of course for the rear positions. In the first folded position, they offer an ideal level with the luggage compartment, in the second position, the seats themselves can be folded up to the backrests, allowing you to transport a larger object in the car. The luggage space offers 304 liters in the base and up to 1205 liters after folding the seats. I already mentioned the practical low loading edge.
Let's take a look at the dashboard, it offers simple lines and a clear horizontal division, but as a result, I am not at all enthusiastic about its treatment. Ergonomically, it works very well, but its plump shapes honestly did not appeal to me much.
I have to praise the 9" touch screen of the on-board infotainment, which offers a clear central and very intuitive control, here Honda has made a huge progress. It goes without saying that you can use Android Auto or Apple Car Play.
The instrument cluster in front of the driver is equipped with a fully digital display that provides you with a lot of driving information, and on its sides there are also fuel level and battery charge indicators.
It is also worth mentioning the multifunctional two-spoke steering wheel, which we know from the recently tested Honda e. The steering wheel has pleasant dimensions and high-quality workmanship.
The relatively subtle center panel is dominated by the automatic transmission selector, which is also equipped with position B (used for recuperation). The operation of the automatic selector itself could then be smoother and quieter.
The interior of the new generation therefore comes with spaciousness and good workmanship, and I also have to praise the very good view from the car.
Powertrain and driving impressions
The hybrid Honda Jazz comes with a very smart and operationally efficient powertrain. The basis of this powertrain is an atmospheric four-cylinder i-VTEC gasoline engine with a volume of 1.5 l, which works in the Atkinson cycle and has an output of 72 kW and 131 Nm of torque. The car is also equipped with a pair of electric motors and a battery with a capacity of approx. 0.8 kWh.
The main task of the gasoline power unit is to spin up the generator, which produces electrical energy for the second electric motor (it has a power of 80 kW, 253 Nm of torque). This electric motor then drives the front axle most of the time. It is therefore supplied with electrical energy by the already mentioned generator and battery, in which energy is stored from excess electrical energy or from recuperation.
When quick acceleration is needed or at higher speeds, the gasoline drive unit can connect directly to the front axle.
The new Honda Jazz therefore works in three basic modes, electric, hybrid and pure combustion, and the car then switches between these modes completely automatically.
It sounds quite complicated, but in reality the operation of the drive train is quite clearly visible. In case of confusion, the energy flow indicator, which most hybrid cars are usually equipped with, can help you.
After starting the Jazz, you usually cover the first few kilometers purely on "electricity", the distance then depends on your driving style and the amount of electrical energy the car had stored from the previous drive. Subsequently, when the battery charge is low, the petrol fifteen-cylinder engine is activated, which, however, is only used to generate electricity, which subsequently drives the car.
The drive unit starts up very quietly and its operation is excellently soundproofed in the direction of the car's cabin itself. The peculiarity of this mode is the situation when the gasoline engine charges the battery so vehemently that its revolutions and the associated "noise" in the car are higher than the current speed of the car. This creates a somewhat unconventional situation when driving a car.
The announced electric and hybrid mode then works great within the city, when you can handle any queue or stop at the intersection only with the help of electricity. The average consumption value in this environment falls below 4 liters per 100 km.
At speeds above approx. 80 km/h, the internal combustion engine takes over the main role and it is directly connected to the front wheels. In this mode, the electric motor acts only as an assistant, which assists the car in acceleration. The behavior of the car at higher highway speeds shows the characteristics of cars with a classic combustion engine . So the Jazz does not suffer at all at these speeds and its driving behavior is very good even in this position. As part of the highway pace, it can claim less than 5 liters per 100 km.
The Jazz is equipped with an e-CVT automatic transmission, which can simulate "shifting" and thus eliminates the unpleasant monotonous sound of gasoline engines.
The new Honda Jazz is simply at its best in an urban environment, where its fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain is most evident, as well as its certain agility thanks to a relatively powerful electric motor and agility.
In conclusion
The new Honda Jazz is available only in the tested specification, i.e. with a hybrid gasoline fifteen-cylinder engine and an e-CVT automatic. There are three trim levels on offer, Comfort, Elegance and Executive.
The current promotional price list offers a car in basic Comfort equipment from a very respectable 449,900 CZK including VAT (thanks to a 40,000 CZK bonus + a 10,000 CZK bonus when buying a car on account). You can then purchase the higher Elegance equipment from 524,900 CZK and the highest equipment Executive with a bonus of 15,000 CZK from 554,900 CZK including VAT.
The new Jazz is therefore a spacious and well-crafted car within its category. It will also offer a well-thought-out and economical hybrid powertrain that works excellently in the urban environment for which the car is primarily intended.
Source: Author's text
Image source: Author's own photos
