2014 Honda Jazz Review: VTi, VTi-S, VTi-L
July 30, 2014
What’s Hot: Sharp new design (inside and out), versatile 'magic seat' interior.
What’s Not: No fully-integrated sat-nav, front seat travel lacking.
X-FACTOR: Fresh and breezy, with more than a dash of youthful appeal, Honda’s Jazz is now even better.
Vehicle Style: 5-door light hatchback
Price: $14,990 ($16,990 drive-away for VTi manual) to $22,490 (VTi-L)
Engine/trans: 88kW/145Nm 1.5 petrol 4cyl | 5sp man or CVT auto
Fuel Economy
claimed: 6.2 l/100km (manual), 5.8 l/100km (automatic)
tested: 6.8 l/100km (automatic)
OVERVIEW
The Jazz is back, with a sharp new design, more space, reduced weight and improved efficiency, and a modern features list designed to appeal to tech-savvy younger buyers.
And that’s precisely the plan, with Honda chasing a demographic skewed to twenty- and thirty-something women, rather than the middle-aged downsizers who have been the Jazz’s traditional buyer.
Our first taste showed it to be just as easy to drive as its predecessor, but with a fresher, more contemporary cabin.
Features like Honda’s nifty 'magic seats' have been retained, giving the Jazz an impressive cargo-carrying capability.
Will they dig it, those younger buyers? Maybe, maybe not, but regardless of your age we reckon the breezy new Jazz is definitely worthy of your attention.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
- VTi: Reversing camera, Bluetooth phone and audio integration, 4-speaker audio, 7-inch colour touchscreen, cruise control, manual air conditioning, LED headlamps, power windows and mirrors, 15-inch steel wheels, Magic Seats
- VTi-S: 16-inch alloys, power folding wing mirrors, foglamps, climate control, six-speaker audio, leather steering wheel and shift lever.
- VTi-L: Leather upholstery, heated front seats, reverse parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, rear centre armrest
- Luggage capacity: 350 litres with rear seats up, 906 litres with rear seats down.
Seat cushioning is firm, and the front seats could use a few centimetres more rearward travel.
Subtle re-positioning of interior hardpoints means there's more headroom, shoulder room, legroom and a bit more space between passengers.
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