It seems that more and more new drivers are opting for a hatchback as their first car, with most of them ending up with the latest Honda Jazz. The hatchback arrived with a super affordable price tag from $14,990 and it has been regarded as one of the simplest yet reliable vehicles right now.
For starters, the new Jazz has got a new design. Honda has decided to do away with that minivan look and give the Jazz a sportier appearance. The face of the Jazz now features a grille that looks liked the mini version of those on the Honda City. Over at the sides, the body bloats towards the tail in a rounded motion.
The entry level Jazz is also packed with many features that are normally offered in the higher end variants. The list includes 15-inch steel wheels, LED projector-beam headlights, LED taillights, cruise control, 7” touch screen with AM/FM radio and CD player, Bluetooth® phone and audio connectivity, 2 x USB ports, HDMI, standard reversing camera, six airbags (dual front, side and full-length curtain) and the usual host of safety acronyms like ABS, EBD, HSA and TCS.
The Jazz comes in 4-different variants and they are the VTi manual, VTi CVT, VTi-S CVT and VTi-L CVT. Prices are at $15,485, $17,485, $20,285 and $22,985 for the metallic paint variants respectively. Of course, prices are about $500 cheaper for the Flat paint job.
Under the hood, the Jazz runs on the 1.5 litre four-cylinder i-VTEC engine that produces 88kW and 145Nm. Even with so much power, the Jazz remains efficient as it recorded 6.2L/100km for the 5-speed manual variant and 5.8L/100km for the CVT transmission.
When we got inside the Jazz, we were amazed with how Honda arranged and measured the interior. On the outside, the Jazz looks like an ant but on the inside, it is able to fit in a family of 5 perfectly. The rear seats can be pulled down to offer more space when needed. Honda called it, Magic Seats.
On the road, the Jazz swifts through every corner with ease. This is thanks to the reduced weight that enhances the power and increases rigidity. Also, noise is kept to the minimum which makes driving on the Jazz a pleasant one.
