Honda Jazz
Overall Average Rating - 87.54%
Position in the Top 100 cars - 8th
In seven years of Driver Power, the Jazz has managed to secure an amazing six top 10 finishes. So there’s no doubt that it has a fond place in owners’ hearts. It’s still the most satisfying supermini you can own and, despite being on sale since 2001, it beats every other model on the road when it comes to practicality – probably on account of its fold-flat seats. The Jazz is also reliable, built to last and costs very little to run.
However, the Honda is still letting you down in two key areas. The engines are lacklustre and, as you’ve told us for the past six years, you’re fed-up with the car’s unyielding ride. A new model isn’t due in the UK until early 2009 – but with a fresh 1.5-litre engine and revised suspension, it could see the Jazz climb even higher up the Driver Power chart.
WINNER OF CATEGORY - Practicality
Once again the most practical car in the Top 100 is… a supermini. If ever you needed proof that versatility is down to good design rather than size, just go to your Honda dealer. With the cleverest folding seats on the market and masses of room up front, the Jazz can teach cars from the class above a thing or two about stowage space. Taking a very different approach, Land Rover’s Discovery is second. Designed with families in mind, it has seven seats and huge luggage capacity. The top five is completed by a family car, a compact MPV and a van-based people carrier, showing practical models come in all shapes and sizes. In last place is Mazda’s old-shape MX-5. A tiny boot and tight cabin space do it no favours here.
WINNER OF CLASS - Supermini/City Car
Will anything ever get between the Honda Jazz and its annual supermini gold medal? Consistently topping its class, the Japanese baby is hard to beat for practical, frugal small-car motoring. However, its slip to eighth place in the Top 100 – and the relatively poor scores of other superminis – makes this the lowest-scoring sector. Second place goes to the latest Yaris, with Skoda’s Fabia separating the new Toyota and its predecessor. Top-sellers including Vauxhall’s Corsa and the Ford Fiesta don’t get a look in. Renault’s current Clio is fifth, but is only 46th in the Top 100. Supermini drivers clearly feel they’re getting a raw deal compared with other car buyers.
Ratings
Position in the Top 100 cars
Reliability: 3rd
Build Quality: 6th
Running Costs: 5th
Performance: 71st
Braking: 46th
Ride Quality: 86th
Handling: 42nd
Practicality: 1st
Comfort: 52nd
Ease of Driving: 5th
Your Quotes
“This is my second Jazz and I can’t fault it. It does what it says on the tin. I am not envious of any other car in the same class. Fun, fun, fun.”
Susan Reed, Wells, Somerset
“The Jazz – my second – is the best car I’ve ever owned. Always reliable, starts first time, easy to get in and out, and has ‘magic’ seats. A first-class model all round.”
Robert Amos, Driffield, East Yorkshire
Manufacturer Verdict (Position - 3rd)
The Japanese firm always turns in a great performance – and 2008 is no different. Only Lexus offers a more reliable range, while models get the thumbs-up for build quality and practicality.
