Alternative review of Honda Jazz

Honda's Jazz is one of those cars that's accrued something of a cult following. Most who have one buy another. So what will all those loyal people make of the second generation version? Well, like its predecessor, it's a neat, well thought out little package with MPV looks, a voluminous interior and a petrol-only engine range.

The inside is a lot more interesting that the exterior. The designers of this five-door hatchback aimed to set new class standards in terms of interior space and used some clever MPV-style tweaks in order to do it. Which is good news for buyers who want people carrier-style cleverness but still want a small, compact and nippy little car. Moving the fuel tank from beneath the rear seats to a position under the front pair liberates the floor of the cabin and allows the seats to be folded into all sorts of permutations. Granted, you don't get the option of removing the rear seats but they almost make up for this in their sheer versatility. An innovative retraction system means that you're able to collapse the rear seats into the footwell with the headrests in place. What's more impressive still is that this action doesn't involve scurrying around the car to manually slide the front seats forward, it can all be accomplished from the rear door thanks to a convenient set of levers. The car is the same height as its predecessor at 1,525mm but the length is up 55mm to 3,900mm and the width increases 20mm to 1,695mm. These dimensions put the Jazz up with the very largest cars in the supermini class. Significantly, 50mm of that length increase is in the car's wheelbase to increase the space inside and the front track has been widened by 35mm to promote a lively driving experience. The Honda Jazz has always been about utility and the latest car shows no sign of tinkering with the winning formula. The wide-opening rear doors aid access to the back seats and all the doors open in three steps to help stop the kids clouting adjacent cars in tight parking spaces. The windscreen pillars are noticeably narrow and there are retractable rear headrests to aid visibility out the back. Top spec models feature a full length glass sunroof with heat absorbing glass to counter any greenhouse effects. The one-box shape of the Jazz mirrors that of leading MPVs. It does little to set the heart aflutter but it leads you expect the kind of roomy interior that's found in these people carrying models. Sure enough, kneeroom for back seat occupants is up 37mm while shoulder room is up 43mm in the rear and 44mm in the front. The car features the Honda Magic Seating system through which the back seats can fold down in one fluid motion. Then there's the Double Trunk boot which can divide its 399-litre capacity into four different configurations for carrying different loads.

One thing the old Jazz didn't do was 'sporty' and this model appears no different in that regard. That's not to say it wasn't good to drive, the Jazz offering a slick shifting gearbox and swift changes of direction but its engines lacked the impetus to challenge even the most tepid of hatchbacks. The latest model is available with two engines, both using Honda's advanced i-VTEC variable valve timing technology. The 89bhp 1.2-litre unit opens the range and those seeking a lustier, more power-packed time at the wheel can upgrade to the 1.4-litre with, wait for it, 99bhp. Honda makes great engines and these little petrol units give real cause for optimism that the marque may have pulled it off again. The i-VTEC system produces smooth revving powerplants with lively performance and good efficiency. Compared to the less high tech 1.4-litre i-DSi engine in the old Jazz, the latest 1.4-litre unit (actually 1339cc in size) gives a 17bhp power boost and a 8Nm increase in torque to 127Nm. Honda is offering its 6-speed i-Shift gearbox with this engine which is an automated manual unit that can be used as a full auto or a clutchless manual.

I liked the Jazz. It was a refreshing change from some of the duller superminis around and felt lively to drive. Honda continue to make the thinking person's supermini. 7th October 2008

TOP 5 JAZZ DEALS

The results below show the top JAZZ deals on buyacar

Honda Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC ES 5dr Hatchback
Price £12,817 Read Jazz Reviews	Save £678
Honda Jazz 1.2 i-VTEC S 5dr [VSA] Hatchback
Price £10,837 Read Jazz Reviews	Save £458
Honda Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC EX 5dr CVT Hatchback
Price £15,067 Read Jazz Reviews	Save £928
Honda Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC ES 5dr CVT Hatchback
Price £13,717 Read Jazz Reviews	Save £778
Honda Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC EX 5dr Hatchback
Price £14,167 Read Jazz Reviews	Save £828
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