Pulling power
The Honda Jazz Crosstar EX brings a welcome rugged update to the perennial Japanese favourite – and it can also tow small loads, writes Steve Teale.
SO, what’s top of your list when it comes to choosing a new car? Price, perhaps, especially in these strange and difficult times. And value for money, which may amount to the same thing. But one major factor surely is reliability, It doesn’t matter how fancy your car is, if it’s stood at the side of the road waiting for a recovery truck, your love affair must surely take a nosedive.
Making cars reliable is easier said than done, especially now when they are essentially complicated computers on wheels and your trusted mechanic needs to be more of an IT specialist than a grease monkey. But Honda seems to making a good go of it.
I had a friend who ditched a French model which let him down once too often and, on the advice of a breakdown recovery guy, he bought a Civic. “All I can tell you is we don’t get called to many Hondas,” said the tow-truck man.
So it’s no surprise that Honda has come out on top in a new report on car reliability. The Japanese firm – which produces cars like the Jazz, tested here, and Civic – was first in Warrantywise’s Reliability Index, which compiled 131,000 active warranty plans.
So, here I am in a Jazz. But it’s not just a Jazz, it’s a Crosstar version which means it’s a little more rugged in style, which is no bad thing.
Mainstream Jazz is fine but a little too tame, perhaps. This version looks chunky and has what you might call an urban off-road feel about it. Don’t be fooled: it’s not a proper goanywhere car but it will appeal to many.
Jazz was relaunched recently with the model gaining a new Advance Style trim level and an upgraded hybrid system.
The fourth-generation Jazz was introduced in 2020, and was sold purely as a hybrid. Its 1.5-litre petrol-electric set-up has now been updated, with the electric motor, generator motor and engine itself all producing more power, meaning it now has a total system output of 120bhp – 14bhp more than before.
The Jazz’s gearbox has also been revised, with Honda saying it offers “improved smoothness and driveability”. No performance figures for the revised set-up have been revealed, though Honda has said it offers CO2 emissions as low as 102g/km, or 111g/km for the tested version.
Key to this upgrade is the addition of a topspec Advance Sport model, which benefits from styling changes such as a unique front bumper and 16-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it features a new three-spoke steering wheel (the Jazz usually has a two-spoke), and suede and synthetic leather seats, along with contrasting yellow stitching. Small mechanical tweaks have also been made, including a stiffer suspension set-up, and a revised throttle remap to deliver improved response from the powertrain.
The rest of the Jazz line-up has also adopted a bolder grille design and darker headlights, with the more rugged Crosstar model benefiting from revised side skirts and a grille with a honeycomb design.
Honda has also made the latest Jazz capable of towing for the first time. Though having only a 500kg capacity, it will allow a small trailer to be towed or a bike carrier to be mounted on the tow bar. Meanwhile, Honda has unveiled a trio of new electrified SUVs that signal the next step for the brand in Europe. Shown at an event recently, the main highlight is the e:Ny1, a new compact electric SUV that will only be the brand’s second EV. Sharing similar looks to the hybrid HR-V, it sits on a different platform and gets a bespoke front-end and previews a design language that will be used across future electric Honda models.
Using a 68.8kWh battery, Honda claims a range of up to 256 miles for the SUV – almost double that of the Honda e city car – while packing a powerful 237bhp electric motor. However, it will be able to charge only at 100kW, meaning a 10 to 80 per cent charge will take 45 minutes. Inside, it boasts a new interior layout, with the highlight being a huge 15.1inch portrait touchscreen.
'A revised throttle remap delivers improved response from the powertrain.'
Honda also showcased its ZR-V in Europe for the first time, a new SUV that will be positioned between the HR-V and CR-V. Using the well-praised powertrain from the latest Civic hatchback, it promises an engaging driving experience.
The ZR-V’s interior design mirrors that of the Civic too, while the exterior is more curved than its more angular SUV siblings.
Last to be shown is the new CR-V, which now enters its sixth generation. While already on sale in the USA, this is the first time we’ve seen the version for this SUV in Europe. It grows in size and aims to “elevate the CR-V more towards the premium segment”, according to Honda.
It’s also the first Honda in Europe that will be available as a plug-in hybrid, and boasts a claimed electric range of up to 51 miles. Just like on the current car, a regular hybrid version will also be available.
This latest CR-V is wider, longer and taller than the previous car, which aims to boost both passenger space and boot volume.
With the exception of the limited-numbers Civic Type R, all of Honda’s European line-up is now either a hybrid or electric. This trio of new electrified SUVs are due to arrive on UK roads before the end of the year.