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Honda Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC ES i-SHIFT road test report

1.4 i-VTEC ES i-SHIFT

Looking for something to make the pulse race? Then move along. Looking for a well made car, easy to drive, with high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions? Then the Honda Jazz could well be for you. Honda’s smallest car might be low on thrills but it makes good sense in so many other areas. The old Jazz was one of Honda’s biggest sellers in the UK, and the Japanese manufacturer will be hoping to tempt more people with this new model.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Honda Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC ES i-SHIFT

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RICHARD SAYS

Performance Performance - 3 stars

The SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine enjoys the benefit of being fitted with a 6-speed i-SHIFT transmission which effectively turns the manual gearbox into an automated one for the driver; with handy paddles behind the wheel to manually change gear should you wish. The engine itself is good if low on thrills with the 1.4litre petrol engine giving a maximum speed of 112mph. The car is a joy to drive in urban stop-start conditions where the driver can relax and concentrate on the road, safe in the knowledge that the car is taking care of the gear changing.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 3 stars

The Honda Jazz gives a pretty firm ride, which is slightly at odds with other areas of the car – and target market; however the handling is very responsive giving the drive a comforting sense of being in control at all times, and with the i-Shift control paddles behind the steering wheel the driver feels at complete control of the vehicle at all times.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

Honda badged cars are the watch-word for reliability, and the Jazz is no different; the Japanese Manufacturer always ensures their cars are built to last, the doors close with a reassuring thud, and the body work and paint stand up very well to the worst of the British weather.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 4 stars

The new Jazz is a well made car and feels sturdy and strong, at the time of writing the Euro NCAP results have yet to be released, but it should deliver an improvement over the old Jazz which achieved 4 stars on its Adult occupancy rating.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

The Jazz is Honda’s smallest car but still offers a good sized boot and the ability to comfortably seat four adults in relative comfort. The car also benefits from 60/40 split folding rear seats which when down increases the boots volume to an impressive 883 litres. The Jazz has a double-trunk boot which allows four different configurations which should provide the solution for a myriad of loads!

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 5 stars

The Jazz has always been a popular option for many people wanting Japanese built quality but without the cost of buying a larger car such as its bigger brother the Civic, and this is reflected in its strong residual value in comparison to its usual competitors in the supermini segment. The car is pretty cheap to run with VED band of C, and its insurance group of 5 meaning it should be very cheap to insure. Prices start at just under £10,000 for the entry level 1.2 litre S which allows most people to consider the Jazz a serious consideration when looking at their next car, whether looking to downsize or looking for a quality, fuel efficient motor.

Submitted: 09/01/2009 14:34:33

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