Honda’s Jazz is a compact five-door hatchback manufactured by the Japanese car company since 2001 and marketed worldwide. It is known for its excellent build quality, spaciousness, reliability, and good fuel economy. Honda has now added a Crosstar version to the Jazz line-up.
Unlike the standard Jazz, available in three different grades, Crosstar is only offered in a single grade of Advance. This flagship, and most expensive, version of the model line-up, is available only as an e:HEV mild hybrid. To help differentiate it from its Jazz siblings, Crosstar has been given a more distinctive, rugged, SUV-inspired exterior that includes a different grille, larger wheels, black steel arch claddings, side sills, silver roof rails, and increased ride height, which means you sit taller inside and the car is easier to get in and out of over the standard hatchback. My car was in a very tasty Premium Crystal Red Metallic, which would be my personal choice, but there are six other colours to choose from. The huge windscreen and big A-Pillar windows provide excellent visibility out front and sides.
The cabin is well built, as you’d expect from Honda who never stint on build quality, reliability or engineering in their cars. We should know, as our last four family cars have been Hondas. The Tardis-like interior makes the car seem much larger inside than you’d expect. Seats were very comfy and were covered in nice water-repellent fabric and leather upholstery, great if you have a dog with muddy paws or shedding hairs. Front seats have manual seat adjustments. The dash includes two built-in cup holders, a free-standing, 9-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a smaller driver’s cluster with all relevant information shown clearly. The main screen is easy to use with a few menus, but there are controls below for radio, phone and navigation. I always appreciate physical knobs for fan, airflow, and temperature, and for air con, front seat heaters, and volume. The steering wheel features a minimalist two-spoke design and is adjustable for rake and reach. Other cubbies are a lidded compartment over the glovebox, good-sized door bins, and a decent storage area below the front armrest. Mid-dash are two USB ports, a 12V power socket, and wireless charging pad.
The CVT automatic shifter is on the flat of the central console and includes a B option for regeneration purposes. Here, too, are an Econ green button that shows how economically, or not, you are driving, an electric parking brake, Brake Hold function, and more cupholders. Two seated in the rear enjoy excellent head, leg and foot room, but the narrow middle seat is suitable only for a child or very small adult. There are two USB C-type ports. A big bonus is the versatile Magic Seats rear-seating system that allows the rear seats to be folded completely flat for extra boot space reaching to the back of the front seats and providing up to 1,205 litres of storage, or flipped up to create a huge vertical or horizontal cargo space in seconds from floor to ceiling for transporting tall items like a wheelchair, large plants, an upright bicycle, or a child’s buggy. You just reach under the seat base, lift up the seat, and pull the locking leg backwards to keep it in place. Every Honda Jazz is equipped with these Magic Seats, made possible because Honda has relocated the fuel tank to beneath the front seats. Below the boot floor is a practical waterproof well for muddy items.
The hybrid system uses a 1.5 petrol engine and two electric motors. The petrol engine primarily acts as a generator to power the electric motors but can come in when needed, like when accelerating to join a motorway, or for overtaking. From 0-100km/h is just sub-10 seconds, which is absolutely fine for a small car.
Crosstar drives much like an electric car, offering smooth, nearly silent power - Honda have obviously provided good insulation. The system also self-charges through regenerative braking whenever you lift your foot off the accelerator or press the brake, so there’s no need to ever plug it in. My only niggle is that the Crosstar lacks a good blind spot monitoring system. Speed alerts didn’t intrude, so I didn’t bother to go through the screen menus to turn them off.
My average fuel return was just 4.7 L/100kms (60mpg) after a few days driving on all types of routes - almost identical to the official return of 4.8 L/100kms. Annual road tax is €180.
On safety, the car is fitted with a suite of Honda Sensing active safety and driver-assist technologies and scored a maximum five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP in 2020. The model carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
Jazz Crosstar is a great choice for those looking for a very roomy car, with excellent storage, very efficient powertrain, and equipped with a generous amount of everyday features as standard. But cost also comes into focus when buying a new car, and Jazz Crosstar is priced the same as the Jazz Advance Sport grade.
It certainly looks as if Honda is onto a sure winner with this gorgeous and very practical little motor.
Honda Jazz prices start from €31,495; my Jazz Crosstar from €34,950, (excluding delivery, related charges and metallic paint, but including VAT and VRT).
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