2020 is saved: Honda’s new Jazz

Floods, pestilence… But what’s this? A new Jazz, and a ray of light

When Honda swapped the Civic’s clever folding Magic Seats for a lower driving position and independent rear suspension it was a sad day for anyone who liked to regularly transport a big plant pot or tall dog in their hatchback.

So, when it was announced that the newgeneration Jazz would be sold in Europe exclusively with a hybrid powertrain – something that ordinarily eats into space under the rear seats and boot – it felt like the little Honda might be robbed of its Mary Poppins’ handbag USP.

Happily, though, the 1.5-litre petrol engine and associated electrified gubbins have mostly been crammed into the Jazz’s stubby nose, so you still get nearly a metre of rear legroom (986mm to be precise) and those one-touch folding seats with cinema-style flip-up bases.

Renault faced a similar challenge when making its E-Tech hybrid system fit in the Clio. But while the French car uses a ba‘ing F1-style multi-mode clutchless dog ’box arrangement, the Honda opts for a fixed-gear transmission. That’s because some of the time the engine powers a generator motor, providing battery charge for the electric motor that drives the wheels, like in a BMW i3 range extender. Smart.

Smarter still is a lock-up clutch that can be closed between the petrol drivetrain and the wheels, so the engine can also contribute to forward motion during faster driving too. The CR-V Hybrid uses a similar system. Also smarter is the cabin, which borrows from the Honda E: thin-rimmed, two-spoke wheel and a horizontal line of screens stretching across the dash. The infotainment system is now laid out like a phone and far more usable than before.

The hybrid set-up has three modes: silent EV running for town; noisier petrol-only propulsion for the motorway (boosted by the electric motor under acceleration); and a mixture, where the electric motor provides the drive and the petrol engine whirs away quietly to keep the battery topped up.

At urban speeds it feels for the most part like an EV, it uses less fuel than the previous Jazz, and the engine doesn’t moo when you accelerate. Just press your foot on the gas and the car seamlessly works out which mode is the most e˜cient.

Greater use of high-strength steel for a stiffer chassis helps the new Jazz deliver in the corners without needing overly uncomfortable suspension. No engaging, lift-a-wheel-at-will laughs like a Fiesta, but the steering is accurate and body control neat. While it’s not a fast car, the hybrid drive supplies plenty of torque when you need it. Frankly, it’s a bit of an unexpected joy.

First verdict

The Jazz remains ruthlessly fit for purpose for another generation. Drivetrain is now as clever as its rear seats ★★★★

View out widened by fancy new A-pillars