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  Honda Jazz is a competent, practical car for the young female market as well as pensioners with active grandchildren. Photo Gallery

With a huge focus now on economically friendly cars, Honda has tried hard to make the new Jazz stand out from the crowd with unique design features and more interior space.

Drivetrains

Both cars are fitted with a 1.5litre SOHC i-VTEC engine that puts out 88kW at 6600rpm and 145Nm at 4800rpm. The VTi we tested gets power to the wheels via a five speed automatic transmission and the VTi-S uses a five speed manual.

Combined fuel economy for the VTi auto is 6.7L/100km. That figure drops by 0.3 for the manual. The VTi auto has a CO2 emission rate of 159g/km and the VTi-S creeps under that at 151g/km.

Exterior

The Honda design team call the new Jazz shape a ‘super forward form with front pillars as far forward as possible’. The tapering effect gives the impression of more space but also makes it look agile and ready.

Side-on you notice the quarter window in front of the a pillar which takes a bit of getting used to but again gives the impression of more space outside and in. On the outside, the main bits the VTi-S gets over the VTi are 16 inch alloys, side skirts and sports bumpers.

Interior

Inside the Jazz is deceptively spacious. The front quarter window — although a bit weird — does help it look bigger thanks to the extra light. Honda has retained the same simple principles of the outgoing Jazz for the interior design in the new one. The dash is simple and intuitive and the finish is polished.

As well as a multi-information display, steering wheel controls and 60/40 split fold rear seats, the VTi-S also gets a little more leather and cruise control. The cabin has plenty of storage space including 10 cup holders and the cargo area holds 848 litres with the back seats down (337 litres with them up).

Safety

Both the VTi and VTi-S have achieved a four(out of five) star ANCAP safety rating. Safety features include a front and rear airbag package, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, central locking and an immobiliser.

Pricing

The Honda Jazz range starts at $16,490 for the manual GLi. The automatic VTi costs $21,890 and the VTi-S manual is $22,490.

Driving

The Jazz has undoubtedly been a sales success for Honda here in Australia. It is a competent, practical car for the young female market as well as pensioners with active grandchildren.

Honda has a reputation for quality and there is a minor prestige associated with the name but does the Jazz offer enough bang for your buck. We thought probably not.

After driving both the VTi Auto ($22,790) and the VTi-S Manual (22,990) were left less than impressed. The auto in the VTi made highway cruising a frustrating experience with a poor change pattern and whining engine tone. The manual is a far better option.

The manual is also the better option for purchase price and on-going costs with the auto adding $2300 to the tag and 1.1 litre of fuel per 100km under urban driving conditions - which would account for most of the driving this type of vehicle would do.

While styling is mostly a thing of personal taste, the Jaz appears both fussy and bland. The main selling point with this style of car is its versatility, and in that respect it delivers, but so does its competitors.

Overall, it is competent and not a bad choice – just not the best choice. Recommendation? Also look at the Korean Honda – the Hyundai i30CW.

Rating: VTi auto - 6.6/10 — Vti-S manual: 6.8/10.