Skip advert
Advertisement

New Honda Jazz Hybrid

We get behind the wheel of a prototype version of the next-generation Honda Jazz Hybrid

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your next car here
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The new dual-clutch hybrid system shows promise, with Honda concentrating on class-leading emissions and driving fun, too. At the moment it’s a bit too jerky but that could all change by the time this system reaches a production car. Let’s hope Honda can bring the price of this technology down, too, because the current Jazz Hybrid was more expensive than it should have been.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The hybrid Honda Insight and Jazz models have always struggled for sales because they were simply not as fuel-efficient or clean as other hybrids or – in some cases – even traditional diesels.

But now Honda is developing a new hybrid system for the next-generation Insight and Jazz hybrid models that it says will provide a 30 per cent improvement in economy, allowing for around 90mpg and 70g/km of CO2.

The system, which uses lithium-ion batteries also provides 134bhp and uses a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox rather than the noisy CVT gearbox used by the current generation of Honda hybrids.

As well as the new gearbox, another key difference of the new hybrid system is that it allows cars to run in electric only mode. Strangely, though, it can only do this in gears one, three and five. As a result there is a noticeable step when the transmission changes up and it's even worse going down the box.

To be fair to Honda, this car is just a prototype and its engineers are working on improving the timing of the clutches to reduce some of the jerkiness.

On the plus side this new hybrid system fells a lot sportier than the old set-up. The 1.5-litre engine is allowed to rev all the way to the redline in each gear and Honda is even considering adding steering wheel-mounted paddles to allow drivers to change gears themselves.

But the key thing about the system is that it not only promises best in class emissions and economy but also performance. Combined, the petrol engine and electric motor deliver 134bhp, so you end up with a really efficient hot hatch.

If Honda can round off this package, then it might finally achieve what it has always struggled with in the past – producing a hybrid that could get the better of the Toyota Prius.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,995
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,271 off RRP*Used from £11,595
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,499 off RRP*Used from £10,695
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025