All that Jazz
AGILE LITTLE HONDA 6
You might have heard that Honda unveiled an all-new Jazz (or Fit, as it’s called in Japan) at the Tokyo Motor Show this month. Just to avoid any possible confusion, the 2020-model Jazz featured here isn’t it. International motor show reveals are one thing, launches in small markets at the bottom of the world are another. The all-new model is so fresh that even Honda New Zealand can’t tell us much about it.
So there’s a little bit of time left for the current shape yet. Enough for Honda NZ to introduce an updated version.
OK, it’s not new-new. But what’s changed?
You’re going to have to buy the RS model to really get the benefit. The big change is a new audio head unit that now has Apple CarPlay, although it hasn’t been brave enough to ditch the CD/DVD player yet.
That’s standard even on the S, but the RS gets a ‘‘premium audio’’ system that brings a larger screen and Android Auto as well as the Apple phone projection.
More functionality is good, but it’s not a brilliant infotainment interface. The screen menus are a bit hard to fathom and old-fashioned-looking. Honda boasts of the head unit having physical volume buttons (always good), but they are in fact tiny rocker switches in the frame of the screen that are initially hard to see and quite hard to use. Better to stick to the steering wheel-mounted buttons or voice control.
The USB connection in our car was simply on the end of a wire dangling in the dashboard, which makes it all feel a bit aftermarket. Which it kind of is: the head unit is clearly branded Pioneer and it’s slotted into a space in the dashboard rather than integrated.
The RS models also get flashes of orange trim on the dashboard, gear lever, seats and doors.
Nothing on the outside?
Are you not excited about the orange? No, the exterior is unchanged.
But you can still have your RS in various states of visual snazziness. For another $1900 over the RS you can have the RS Sport, which adds a body kit. Or another $2400 gets you yet another sports kit with the RS Mugen, although it does tip your Jazz over into the $30k bracket.
No more go either?
The Jazz remains modesty powered, which is not a problem really for a small car. But it’s a shame the engine is so intrusive under load, something that’s not helped by the languid continuously variable transmission. Using the seven-step mode helps a little, but not a lot. You really do grit your teeth sometimes.
It’s even more of a shame because the chassis is really good. The RS has stiffer suspension, but actually the Jazz in general is really responsive and pleasingly agile on a winding road. We’d rate it highly among superminis for driver appeal, were it not for the racket coming from under the bonnet.
Point of order: The Jazz is one of the few cars in this class (or any class) still available with a manual gearbox.
Opting for the three-pedal transmission won’t make the engine any more refined, but if you plan to travel at anything more than a pootle (technical term), it’ll improve the driving experience considerably.
We haven’t driven a manual Jazz for a long time, so no guarantees. But Honda has a great track record with three-pedal gearboxes in small cars, so give it a try if you’re planning to buy.
OK, but should it really wear an RS badge?
Did you not read the bit about the stiffer suspension? OK, probably not, unless it stands for Really Spacious.
The chassis is neat, but the single most compelling reason to buy a Jazz is still Honda’s brilliant Magic Seat system.
The Japanese maker has long offered this packing feature, first on previous generations of Jazz and more recently on larger models like HR-V and CR-V. And there’s still nothing quite like it.
A cleverly configured platform allows Magic Seat to offer five different rear-seat designs. ‘‘Utility’’ is simply the rear seats folded flat in the traditional manner, but unlike most small cars they really are flat.
‘‘Tall’’ folds the squabs up out of the way so you can take advantage of the deep footwell and relatively high roof carry anything from a plant to a bike. Or give a child space to change at the beach.
‘‘Long’’ starts with the Utility layout, but you can also fold the front passenger seat rearwards to use all available cargo space from the tailgate to the dashboard.
Finally, ‘‘Refresh’’ uses both front and rear seats to create a lounger or bed.
Any other cars I should consider?
Can’t think of any other superminis that can turn into a bed.
With the rise in small SUVs and general move away from traditional passenger-car styles, the sub-$30k supermini segment is suffering: Ford has eschewed regular Fiesta models in favour of the ST hot-hatch and Holden’s Barina has left the building.
Bu there’s still plenty of interesting product. Our Top Car of
2018, the Volkswagen Polo, is pricier than most but still available in the
$20k bracket.
You can’t ignore the big-selling Suzuki Swift (especially the Sport) but if you want to be a bit braver with your brand, have a look at the rather excellent Citroen C3.