After six years, an all-new Honda Jazz is on its way with more space and more fuel economy.

With the right-hand drive model arriving in SA later this year, the Jazz features a more modern exterior design, while its slightly larger body style improves visibility and leg room.

The "Honda Magic Seats" are back — but now they dive down in one action, making carrying large loads easier — and are complemented by a new "Double-Trunk" boot feature in the luggage bay that can be configured in four ways to accommodate different-sized loads.

More economical

In the UK the new Jazz gets two new, low emission petrol engines adopting Honda's i-VTEC variable valve timing technology: the 66kW 1.2-litre and 73kW 1.4-litre.

The 1.2-litre engine achieves 5.1l/100km (combined), while CO2 emissions are also improved, at 120g/km. It's a similar story with the new 1.4-litre engine. Compared to the previous i-DSI unit which produced 61kW and 119Nm, power is up by 12kW and torque is 127Nm with fuel economy from 5.2l/100km (combined) for the manual model. CO2 exhaust emissions are as low as 123g/km.

There's also the option of Honda's next-generation six-speed i-SHIFT automated manual transmission on the 1.4-litre engine. The unit is a development of the system first fitted to the Civic, with improvements made including reduced gear change times, smoother shifts and more intelligent automatic mode shift logic.

The new SIL ("Shift Indicator Light") fitted to manual models, similar to that found on the new Accord, provides a visual prompt of the best gear shift points to maximise economy.

Ride comfort has been improved through a number of suspension revisions, which contribute to a 'big car feel'. Meanwhile, a longer wheelbase (by 50mm) and wider front track (by 35mm) give the car greater agility. Honda's stability assist, VSA, is now available across the range.

Stopping ability has been increased with larger brake front callipers, and the brake pedal has been tweaked to improve feel. Front ventilated discs and rear discs are matched with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist.

The overall height of Jazz remains the same (1525mm) but the length of the car has increased slightly by 55mm (to 3900mm) and it is also slightly wider, by 20mm (to 1695mm).

Getting in and out is now easier, thanks to wider-opening rear doors which open in three steps just like their front counterparts.

Step inside

Once inside, the cabin is more spacious for driver and passengers, with greater headroom and an improved driving position.

The slightly increased exterior length and width have helped improve passenger space, as has the 'pushing forward' of the windscreen. Rear seat passengers now have 37mm greater knee-room, while the distance between front and rear passengers is up by 30mm. The slightly wider body also means shoulder room increases by 44mm in the front and 43mm in the rear.

Visibility gets a boost, too. Reduced width A-pillars, a larger windscreen and quarter windows three times the size of those in the previous model make for more relaxed driving, while retractable rear headrests ensure the view out of the rear window is now unobscured.

Some models are equipped with a panorama roof that extends over the rear seats, with heat absorbing glass and a power sun shade.

More comfortable front seats have been fitted, along with a height adjustable driver's seat and a steering wheel that's adjustable for reach and rake on 1.4 models.

Safe and secure

The new Jazz benefits from Honda's ACE body structure, a concept that is being progressively rolled out across the range. A front polygonal main frame helps to prevent misalignment between vehicles of different sizes and construction, while multiple energy absorbing pathways disperse impact energy to prevent cabin deformation.

Dual front and side airbags are standard on all UK models, as are full length side curtain airbags and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions (those in the front have dual-stage pretensioners). The front passenger airbag can also be deactivated to allow a rear facing child seat to be fitted to the front seat and for the first time Jazz is equipped with seatbelt reminders for both the front and rear seats. Front seats are also fitted with active headrests to minimise the potential for whiplash injuries.

Specifics on the South African range are expected closer to the car's local launch later this year.