Honda Jazz 2024 review

Model driven: Honda Jazz Advance Sport 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid e-CVT

Review by: Tim Barnes-Clay

Is the Honda Jazz a good car?

Let’s put it this way, the Honda Jazz wouldn’t have been around the last 20 years, if it wasn’t a good car.

But while it’s always been a dependable family favourite, it’s just been given a stunning new look.

Now in its fourth generation – and with a mid-life facelift – it aims to reach to the next level.

The Jazz is a hybrid nowadays – a self-charging one – with two electric motors and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

If you're after a small family car that's high on practicality, comfortable and great at short, low-speed journeys, the Honda Jazz is recommended. Its hybrid system means it's economical, too.

The infotainment system is everything you need. The nine-inch screen allows you to connect your smartphone and display your apps and driving playlists.

Performance and drive comfort

The powertrain produces 122PS and gets from 0-62mph in 9.6-seconds, which makes it quicker than some of its main rivals. It can run on electric power alone, but you'll need a plug-in hybrid to make longer journeys without using the engine.

While it perhaps could be more powerful, the Jazz is excellent as an around-town runabout, popping to the shops or doing the school run, so if you're not chasing performance, it's a great little car. If you are more of a petrolhead, this probably isn't the car for you.

The ride comfort is good, too, and whether it’s on a town centre ring road or at 70mph on a motorway, the suspension feels absorbing.

In terms of handling, it's not much of a driver's car, as a relatively high centre of gravity for such a small machine means it generates some body roll in the bends if you take things quickly. The Honda is designed for comfort, practicality, and steady driving, not being thrashed around bendy B-roads.

Interior style, infotainment and accessories

Inside, the interior of the Jazz looks funky and appealing, with sports pedals and piano black styling on the leather steering wheel and around the gear lever.

You also get sat nav and additional USB ports on the top two trims, which includes this test car. I felt the systems and menus were reasonably easy to navigate. The air conditioning controls was also pleasant to use – and they remain as physical dials beneath the screen, rather than being integrated into the touchscreen itself.

Considering this is a small car, you sit pretty high up, but the seats are height adjustable. It is also easy to find a comfortable driving position, helped in colder climates by heated front seats and a heated steering wheel on the top two trims. There is a surprising amount of space in the cabin, too, with a significant amount of headroom and decent legroom up front.

You will also be pleasantly surprised at how easily a couple of adults can be accommodated in the back. However, adding a third grownup in the middle will limit the available shoulder room. Nevertheless, the Jazz is likely the class leader for very small cars when accommodating its occupants.

The driver's visibility is good, too, thanks to large windows and the car’s tall-for-its-size stance. Mind you, the rear pillars are a bit thick, so the front and rear parking sensors are a welcome addition on all versions. All but the entry-level Jazz get a rear-view camera, too, while all editions get electric front and rear windows for extra convenience. Furthermore, there’s a civilised amount of interior storage space, with door bins, three cupholders, not one but two glove compartments and various other cubbies.

Space and practicality

Boot space is measured at 304 litres, expanding to 844 litres if you fold down the rear seats in a 60/40 split. However, you can extend the available space to 1,205 litres by flipping the seat bases. It is all part of what Honda calls Magic Seats – and they’re excellent, giving you plenty of options to accommodate all different shapes and sizes in the boot.

Range, reliability and running costs

Regarding running costs, the 1.5-litre engine returns 61.4mpg, which is notable, while it emits 105g/km of CO2.

Safety and security

The Honda Jazz earned a five-star rating from crash-testing specialists Euro NCAP in 2020, scoring 87% for adults, 83% for children and 76% for safety assists. The latter consists of automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed limiter and automatic high-beam. At the same time, Advance trim and above get rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.

Trim levels and standard equipment

There are three trims – Elegance, Advance and Advance Sport, with a fourth version called Crosstar, which adds some rugged cladding in case you’d like a Honda Jazz that also looks like a mini-SUV. The Advance Sport is being driven here, which aims to wow with a sporty appearance, nice-looking 16-inch alloys and a plethora of kit.

Fast Facts – Honda Jazz Advance Sport 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid e-CVT as tested:

• Maximum speed: 108mph
• 0-62 mph: 9.6 secs
• Fuel economy: 61.4mpg
• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with dual electric motors
• Maximum power (PS): 122
• CO2: 15g/km



Whether you’re looking to finance a new Honda Jazz or purchase one, we have a range of brand-new Honda Jazz cars available to buy online safely with Click & Collect and home delivery options also available.

Can’t see the Honda model you’re looking for? Contact one of our Honda dealers today.