New Jazz is about more functional interior space, more powerful and frugal engines, and more modern looks.

At first glance, the exterior design is more evolution than revolution. But this subtle change of appearance is but one small aspect of the thousands of changes that characterise the all-new Jazz.

It retains key concepts of the previous Jazz, including the central fuel tank layout and the "Magic Seats" for interior flexibility. But while the best features have been retained — including cabin space rivalling that of mid-sized saloons — new Jazz is also improved in every other area.

A slightly larger, cab forward-style body allows better visibility and means the new Jazz is more spacious, specifically benefiting rear legroom and boot space. The Magic Seats can be operated in one, easy action, too.

Safety equipment levels have been upped, including the introduction of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) structure. Larger wheels, a revised suspension, and a longer wheelbase and wider track, allow greater agility while enhancing ride comfort.

Furthermore, new 73kW 1.4-litre and 88kW 1.5-litre i-VTEC engines deliver better performance characteristics, while posting consumption figures of 5,8 and 6,4 litres/100km for the combined cycle, respectively.

The engines are linked to either a five-speed manual gearbox, or a new five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate.

Bigger is better

At 3900mm long, 1695mm wide and 1525mm tall, the new Jazz occupies its own, unique niche. It fits in between the superminis and compact MPVs, offering the style of the former and the practicality of the latter.

Overall height remains the same, but the Jazz is 55mm longer and 20mm wider. A wheelbase increase of 50mm, and front and rear track increases of 35mm and 30mm respectively, aid handling stability.

Despite those increased dimensions, the kerb-to-kerb turning circle of 9.80m remains unchanged, while visibility is improved.

The new Jazz is also easier to get in and out of, thanks to rear doors that open wider and in three stages, just like their front counterparts, for those tight parking spots.

The key styling theme of the new Jazz is its cab-forward look. The windscreen is positioned far forward to create a virtually seamless curve, flowing from front to rear. The car’s reassuring ‘face’ includes large headlamps, a front bumper that curves upwards, and a sporty honeycomb grille.

The chassis’ wide track and long wheelbase exude a reassuringly solid stance, further emphasised by the muscular wheelarches and alloy wheels, standard on all models. The LX and EX versions run on five-spoke 15-inch alloys, while the EX-S gets 16-inch versions.

Rear styling is equally distinctive. The upper section of the body tapers towards the rear, while the roofline slopes downwards at the rear, without compromising headroom. A black, high-gloss trim panel above the licence holder completes the unique rear look.

EX-S models come standard with a panoramic glass roof, a larger front grille, extended sills, and a rear bumper diffuser.

What’s inside?

The interior layout of the previous Jazz, with its compact suspension and centrally-mounted fuel tank, maximised interior space and cargo carrying capacity. The new Jazz retains that configuration, but the slightly increased length and width — and moving the windscreen further forward — have clearly benefited passenger space.

Rear seat passengers now have 37mm more knee room, while the distance between front and rear passengers is up by 30mm. The slightly wider body also means shoulder room has been increased by 44mm in the front and 43mm in the rear.

Visibility is improved, too, thanks to slimmer A-pillars, a bigger windscreen and front quarter windows that are three times larger than before. Retractable rear headrests ensure rearward vision is completely unobscured.

Given the popularity of the previous Jazz’s innovative ‘cinema’-style rear seats, it comes as no surprise that Honda has retained a similar arrangement in the new car. The latest Magic Seats employ the same principle, but are more convenient to operate: a single-motion, dive-down operation means there is no longer any need to move the front seats forward to collapse the rear seats. Thanks to headrests that are virtually flush with the seatback, the 2:1 split rear seats clear the front seats even when they have been moved as far back as possible.

The resulting flat floor in this "Utility Mode" measures 1720mm in length, enough to accommodate three 26-inch mountain bikes with their front wheels in place. Load length in "Long Mode" is even greater: slide the front passenger seat fully forward, recline the seat back and a 2.4m long load space is instantly created.

When raising the rear seat, the bases stay locked to the seat backs. When left in this position, also known as "Tall Mode", a secondary load area between the front and rear seats that can accommodate items up to 1280mm tall — and is now easier to access, given that the rear doors open wider. Finally, removing the front seat headrests, and reclining the front seats so they are fully flush with the rear seats creates a large area in which to spread out and relax — known as "Refresh Mode".

More comfortable front seats with better support, a driver’s footrest, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a steering wheel adjustable for reach and rake, and larger rear seats are some of the features contributing to the more cosseting, more relaxed cabin environment.

Additional sound insulation and increased body rigidity also play their part.

For a real sense of space, the Jazz EX-S is equipped with a panoramic sunroof that extends over the rear seats for a great aerial view. Heat absorbing glass and an electrically operated sun shade ensure a comfortable cabin environment all year round.

Exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable on all models and electrically retractable on the EX and EX-S versions.

The three-dial instrument cluster is permanently backlit to ensure legibility at all times and features silver surrounds, gunmetal-finished dials and a raised red acrylic scale.

The EX and EX-S models feature a useful multi-information display providing a wide range of information — all controlled by satellite buttons on the steering wheel boss. The LX is fitted with a more conventional trip computer.

Integrated into the fascia, the single-CD receiver fitted to all the models offers MP3/WMA playback capability and speed-dependent volume adjustment. An auxiliary audio jack for use with MP3 players is supplied on all models, while the EX and EX-S versions also get a USB port in the centre console storage box. This enables fifth-generation iPods and several other portable music devices to be played via the Jazz’s audio system while providing simultaneous charging (depending on type).

While air-conditioning is standard on LX models, the EX and EX-S versions come equipped with fully automatic climate control. The upper glove compartment is refrigerated.

Safety standards

The introduction of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure significantly enhances the safety standards of the new Jazz.

ACE minimises the effects of misalignment between vehicles of different sizes and construction in the case of a collision, and provides multiple energy-absorbing pathways to disperse impact energy, thereby preventing cabin deformation.

Standard on all models are dual front and side airbags, and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions. The front seatbelts feature dual-stage pretensioners. For the first time, the Jazz is equipped with seatbelt reminders for both the front and the rear seats.

Two ISOFIX fittings in the left and right rear seats, together with tether anchors in the roof, ensure correct child seat installation.

On the road

The new Jazz’s redesigned suspension and steering are intended to provide greater agility without compromising ride comfort.

Improved body rigidity has permitted sharper handling, while allowing the use of more supple suspension settings. Overall stability and grip benefit from the longer wheelbase, wider track and larger wheels.

There have also been a number of changes to the geometry and structure of the front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension. Improved rear steer characteristics further improve stability.

The substantially revised electric power steering provides greater feedback, which builds on the sense of driving enjoyment. The result is lighter steering at low speeds, good stability at high speeds and improved on-centre feedback.

Stopping ability has benefited from the fitment of larger brake front callipers, while revised brake pedal characteristics allow better modulation. The ventilated front discs and rear drums (discs on the EX-S model) are linked to ABS anti-lock control, operating in tandem with EBD and Brake Assist.

Pricing:
Jazz LX manual: R145 000
Jazz LX automatic: R156 000
Jazz EX manual: R162 000
Jazz EX automatic: R173 000
Jazz EX-S manual: R172 000
Jazz EX-S automatic: R183 000