Honda is one of those relatively niche but persistent brands in the Irish automotive market, a space where it sits with a premium reputation based on engineering excellence, writes Brian Byrne. In the last 12 months, the marque has been enjoying a good level of growth, in part because of the arrival of a couple of new and regenerated models.
The Jazz is Honda's second biggest seller in this country this year, toppled from its previous leading position by the new HR-V. In its fourth generation since 2020, it got a refresh in 2023, which was both cosmetic and powertrain improvement. So it looks good for another few years before the next major change. In size, the Jazz sits in the middle of the B segment, smaller than a Mazda2, bigger than a Citroen C3. While a hatchback, it has always had an individual shape, looking more like a mini version of a people-carrier than the usual hatch. It's sleek, and a standout feature is the very large windscreen set in a cab-forward manner. The bonnet has a pronounced lift to it, probably part of pedestrian safety, and the front lights are rather large 'eyes' compared to some of the skinny designs around in recent years. Overall, it looks good, with a visual promise of interior spaciousness that is actually borne out.
From the inside, that forward scuttle line makes for quite an expanse of flat dashboard top, and also means that for some drivers, there's no visual front bonnet line by which to judge distance. It wasn't an issue for me. The overall dashboard and screens layout is what I expect from Honda, clear, bright, and ergonomically good. Honda is keeping its centre screens to a relatively small size, which I like, and there are proper knobs and switches for climate and other key controls. The driver information screen is clutter-free, with the main metrics instantly intelligible. A matched set of press buttons on either side is for the drive mode and start-stop. Overall, things are very classic, and the more comfortable for that.
A good level of fit and finish has long been a Honda hallmark, and this is the case with the Jazz. Contrast stitching is tastefully evident in the trim and seat material, nothing blasting out. The passenger space in the back row is good for the segment, with more rear headroom than many. Those seats also have what Honda calls its 'magic' attribute, the ability to fold the seat part against the back to make room for any unusually tall cargo. They're comfortable for even a longish person when in the normal position. The boot space is about par for the segment, and when the passenger seats are folded in the normal way, it's a good flat area with a capacity of more than 1,200 litres.
In Europe, Honda is offering only hybrid engines now, and that in the Jazz is based on a 1.5 petrol engine along with the electrics. There's a total of 122hp available, allowing a sub-10 seconds 0-100km/h, peppy enough for the class. The transitions between the various combinations of drive are seamless. There's a real-world fuel consumption below 5L/100km, which nobody will seriously sniff at. For its size and positioning, the Jazz is a surprisingly fun and engaging in the handling department.
There are four grades to choose from, all of which have the same powertrain, so it's a case of choosing your external details and interior luxury upgrades, with just a €3,500 price difference between the least and most expensive versions.
Honda has always scored on engineering and build quality, and the Jazz, even if getting a little long in the tooth, has both.
PRICE: From €31,495. WHAT I LIKED: Space in a fine finish.
