On the road

So, brilliant ergonomics and nice-enough interior, but driving it – fire it up - and more of the Jazz’s strengths emerge. Honda’s i-VTEC engines are sheer delight. Beautifully balanced, responsive and with a nice edgy rasp when stretched, they yearn for an enthusiastic hand (and foot).

With 88kW @ 6600rpm and 145Nm @ 4800rpm available in the 1.5 litre VTi and VTi-S models (that we drove), and 73kW and 127Nm in the smaller engined 1.3 litre GLi, acceleration is brisk away from standstill and when shooting for gaps in the traffic.

Certainly, on the move, there are no disappointments from behind the wheel. The action of the ‘golf-ball’ feel gear-shift through the five-speed gate is slick and satisfying, with a precise gate and nicely weighted ‘slots’.

Like the Fiesta, it too feels a cog short on the highway, but, though also pulling 3000rpm at 100km/h, things settle into a nice hum on the highway.

The electric power steering, though a little numb at the dead-ahead is otherwise precise and ideal for slotting the Jazz around the ‘burbs.

It is incredibly nimble, something you’ll immediately notice on a tight roundabout or in a city car park, and the great all-round vision makes it breeze to pilot.

My recall of the older Jazz was that it was a little under-done in the suspension. Perhaps I was having a bad week, but my view was it lacked sufficient travel and was a little wearing on a longer drive.

No such complaints with the new model. While sharing the basic layout of the previous model - McPherson strut front and torsion beam rear – Honda has jiggled with the suspension settings to improve ride quality and handling.

The H-shaped torsion beam now has larger bushings, altered spring lever ratio and extended trailing arm lengths. Up front, the castor geometry and bushes have come in for a makeover. The result is a palpably improved and more supple feel to the workings below.

Last thing to mention is the fuel economy. Who needs an expensive hybrid when you can snag a Jazz at $16,990 for the 1.3 litre Gli manual, returning 5.8 l/100km, or for $20,490, the 1.5 litre VTi manual, returning 6.4 l/100km?

(The five-speed auto versions add around a $2k premium, and knock a margin off those fuel figures.)

It’s a beaut little car, the Jazz. Good value, versatile, and brim-full of personality. Try it on; if it’s the right fit for your lifestyle, you will be very happy with it.

Tim’s Big Statement

“Why people buy SUVs for school-shuttle and shopping duties – and that never see a bush track or a mountain stream - is a mystery when they could buy instead something as practical and appealing as the Jazz. They will not only save the better part of ten big ones, but they will rediscover the joy of driving (and look cool into the bargain).

The Jazz might be bested (and it’s line-ball) by the Fiesta and Mazda2 for driving dynamics, but it edges them out for versatility.”

Tim likes:

* Excellent buying in a neat package
* Fabulous all-round vision
* Zippy engine and light, tight manoeuvrability
* Slick, fun, five-speed box
* Interior room (on a small physical, and environmental, footprint)

Tim Dislikes:

* Would like an extra cog in the ‘box
* Dash design is overly fussy
* Interior is a bit sombre (for my tastes)
* Slightly ‘numb’ feel to the wheel at ‘dead-ahead’