Honda Jazz 2012 Review

Competition in the tiddler class is stove hot with perhaps 20 players vying for big sales. The whole market was thrown on its head when Chinese brand Chery lobbed with its J1 at $10,990 drive away - effectively a sub 10 grand light car.

VALUE

It makes Honda's job of selling the Thai-built Jazz VTi light car somewhat problematic at around $19,190 plus on roads for the manual, more for the auto.

We got a drive in the auto 1.5 VTi with metallic paint (+$400) which is around $23,500 on the road. It's a fair snip for a tiddler.

Honda has added a USB audio connection plug and tacked on a Bluetooth system to the front A pillar that is difficult to use but brings the car partially into the modern "connected" era. A multi mode instrument panel gives adequate info read-outs.

DESIGN

Jazz has been around for yonks albeit freshened last year with some new body plastic, some new colours, extra kit and some interior detail changes. 

It's in the now dated tall-boy idiom looking like a mini people mover and is infact quite practical because of this.

The "magic" seat folding system is the best in class and allows Jazz to be used as a virtual commercial vehicle if required. The interior looks OK but is all hard, cheap plastic.

TECHNOLOGY

The engine is a single cam unit with VTEC variable cam timing and an 88kw/145Nm output. It drives the front wheels through a five speed auto in this case. The engine passes Euro4 emissions regulations and sips regular fuel at a miserly 6.7-litres/100km in the auto, less in the manual.

SAFETY

A five star crash rating means six air bags, stability control and a host of other gear.

DRIVING

We found the drive acceptable dented by the auto's tendency to hunt up and down ratios in order to maintain a given speed uphill on the highway. It's really annoying. The engine drives 1115kg Jazz auto pretty well all things considered and you can always self select gears to keep it on the boil.

Ride and handling have a slight sporty edge and it steers and brakes well. It's a cinch to park and is really practical for shopping trolley duties. There's a full size spare under the rear floor. Bit of a mixed bag really but definitely the 1.5-litre engine over the 1.3-litre in the entry-level Jazz.

Honda Jazz VTi Auto

Price: from $22,240
Warranty: 3-years/100,000km
Safety: 5 stars ANCAP rating
Engine: 1.5-litre; 4 cylinder. 88kW/145Nm
Body: 5-door hatchback
Weight: 1115kg
Transmission: 5-speed automatic, front wheel drive
Thirst: 6.7l/100km, CO2 159g/km