Journey into space

Honda’s new Jazz offers unrivalled practicality.

With this third generation model of its Jazz hatchback, Honda knew it had to move the game on. The good news is, it has. There’s a stiffer, more responsive chassis and a more up to date petrol engine that will help the firm in its efforts to try and lower this car’s customer age demographic.

And all the “magic seat” cleverness inside has been kept intact – and why not. It is versatility most segment rivals have failed to match.

The Jazz has Honda’s new global B-segment chassis and as such, is both lighter and more rigid than its predecessor.

The revised dampers also help improve ride quality and a redesigned electric power-assisted steering system claims to deliver better feedback for the driver.

Comprehensive soundproofing brings even more improvements and Honda has also worked hard at reducing engine, road and wind noise.

The only Jazz engine choice is a 1.3 litre i-VTEC petrol unit with 102hp.

It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, which replaces the old five-speed and there’s also the option of a semi-automatic CVT.

For all the changes and tweaks, the model still looks intrinsically like a Jazz.

Slightly bulbous and unthreatening it remains but some of the detailing is now a bit sassier.

The interior has come on leaps and bounds, with a huge windscreen that imparts a genuine feel of airiness up front.

Boot capacity measures 354 litres, with space extending to 884 litres once the seats are folded.

As before, Honda has priced this Jazz against higher quality offerings in the supermini segment.

Prices start at around £13,500 and there’s a £1,100 premium to pay if you want the CVT.

It’s true that equipment levels could be higher and cabin materials plusher but against that, build quality is excellent and residual values simply unrivalled.

The new Honda Jazz still offers amazing amounts of space and practicality.