Honda's new Jazz Sport is music to the ears of anyone looking for more fun out of this super-spacious supermini, says motoring editor Andy Russell.
The Honda Jazz supermini has loads going for it when it comes to space and versatility but is not particularly exciting, tending to appeal to an older market. Honda is looking to widen its appeal with the new range introducing a Jazz Sport.
Looks and image
The range has been given a mild makeover and the new Sport, based on SE, looks the part with a thinner front splitter beneath the lower grille and a triple-strake diffuser in the back bumper, both with a sporty red accent line similar to the Civic Type R. Add LED headlights, front fog lamps, side sill skirts, a tailgate spoiler and gloss-black 16in alloy wheels and it lives up to the Sport name.
The interior gets pinstripe patterned seats and orange stitching on the leather steering wheel and gear knob.
How it drives
The Sport's new 130PS, 1.5-litre engine – other models use the 102PS 1.3-litre unit – still offers a six-speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox.
The extra capacity, power and torque – 155Nm against 123Nm – make a noticeable difference. It doesn't feel weak and wheezy at low revs and the manual model is much brisker but, without a turbo and maximum torque at 4,600rpm, it needs to be worked hard to get the best from it and becomes noisy.
It's competent through corners, light steering makes parking a doddle but the ride is firm and fidgety, particularly at low speeds.
Space and comfort
If the Jazz has a trump card, it's the amazing space and clever packaging. Four six-footers will not fall out over legroom, headroom is plentiful and the well-shaped, low-silled 354-litre boot up there with the class leaders.
Honda's Magic Seats are ingenious – small bags fit under the rear cushions which can also be flipped up against the back rests to give room to carry a bike upright. Fold the backs flat for a long, flush load floor and, for really long loads, the front passenger seat drops too.
Equipment
Based on SE, Sport includes air-con, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic wipers and headlights, autonomous city braking, front and rear parking sensors, electric windows and heated door mirrors, alloy wheels, front fog lights, LED headlights, steering wheel audio controls and a package of safety aids including forward collision and lane departure warning, auto high beam and traffic sign recognition.
Final say
The Jazz Sport is more entertaining to drive without losing the space and versatility that make this supermini so endearing.
SPEC AND TECH
Price: Honda Jazz Sport Navi £17,765 (range from £14,115)
Engine: 1,498mm, 130PS, four-cylinder petrol i-VTEC with six-speed manual gearbox
Performance: 0-62mph 8.7 seconds (auto 10.1 seconds); top speed 118mph
MPG: Urban 39.2; extra urban 55.4; combined 47.9 (auto 44.1, 57.6, 52.3)
CO2 emissions: 133g/km (auto 124g/km)
Warranty: Three years or 90,000 miles
Will it fit in the garage? L 4,051mm; W (including door mirrors) 1,980mm; H 1,550mm
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