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Honda Jazz Hybrid

Cheapest petrol-electric car on sale is a clever package, but not without flaws

Honda Jazz Hybrid

By Paul Bond

December 2010

It's time for the Jazz to change 
its tune! The current version of Honda’s popular supermini has only been around since 2008, 
but it’s already been given a mid-life refresh. And an efficient new hybrid model has been introduced as part of the changes. Is this the best Jazz yet? Auto Express was first behind the wheel to find out.

 

When it goes on sale in February, the Jazz will be the smallest, cheapest hybrid on the market, costing from £15,995. It uses the same powertrain as the Insight, which pairs a 1.3-litre petrol engine with a 13bhp 
electric motor for a combined output of 114bhp. It works well. The extra 78Nm of torque from the nickel-hydride battery means the car pulls well in the mid-range, and this offsets the extra 70kg of weight stored in the boot. 

Add sleeker aerodynamics 
and low-rolling-resistance tyres, and the hybrid Jazz manages to return 62.8mpg and put out only 104g/km of CO2 – better than the standard petrol car, but some way short of class-leading small diesels such as VW’s Polo BlueMotion. 

Crucially, it won’t be exempt from annual road tax or the London congestion charge, 
but bosses say a version that emits less than the magic 
100g/km is in the pipeline. 

Compared to the drivetrain, the rest of the updates are 
minimal. Honda has sought 
to improve the overall package without alienating the Jazz’s 
loyal customer base, so there’s 
a sleeker front bumper and 
projector headlights, restyled rear lamps and new chrome trim on the tailgate. Hybrid models also get a unique blue chrome grille.

Under the skin, the suspension has been updated to give a more comfortable ride, but the clever i-SHIFT automated manual box has been ditched in favour of a seven-speed CVT automatic. 

On the road, the Jazz does 
feel more composed, but the ride is still a bit jittery. And although the CVT box works well at low speeds, it’s sluggish under hard acceleration, making for a noisy experience. The steering has been revised to provide more positive feedback at speed, 
but the wheel is still slightly 
over-assisted. Mind you, that does make the Jazz easy to manoeuvre around town, and most customers will appreciate the feather-light controls.

Inside, the cabin is starting 
to show its age. There’s a new set 
of blue-lit dials and a read-out to show how frugally you’re driving, but the dash plastics are still hard and scratchy, and mark easily. 

Refinement is also an issue. 
At motorway speeds, engine
and tyre noise become intrusive, making the Jazz a wearing car to travel in on long trips. And that’s a real shame, considering how spacious and practical the interior is – the boot offers 
a capacity of 883 litres with 
the rear seats folded, and the squabs can even be popped 
up for carrying tall objects. 

Ultimately, though, Jazz hybrid buyers will have to be completely sold on the rather modest efficiency gains that the car provides in order to justify the price. At £18,435, this flagship HX model costs £750 more than the equivalent Jazz 1.4 EX CVT.

For an alternative review of the latest Honda Jazz visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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9 Comments

Honda Jazz Hybrid Facebook Page!

Found a brilliant Facebook page dedicated to the Honda Jazz Hybrid. Loads of photos, info and videos. Join the page by clicking the "Like" button at the top and it keeps you updated through Facebook. Either go to Facebook and search for Hybrid Jazz or copy and paste the below address.

www.facebook.com/pages/Jazz-Hybrid/165164160178801

Looking forward to test driving the latest of Honda Hybrids.

By rracing20 on 14 December, 2010, 9:32am

White Elephant

As mentioned in the video review, there is absolutely no point to this car. Other manufacturers can beat or match the Jazz's green credentials without the use of Hybrid tech at a much more competitive price point.

If the emissions figure was below 100g/km then Honda would shift few but as it stands, it'll just be another Honda white elephant, and frankly I can't see this Hybrid Jazz making it into Honda's model line-up next time around in its current form.

By sgtgrash on 14 December, 2010, 11:27am

Pointless,Slow and Expensive

why would anyone buy this over a good modern diesel,a good diesel will be more refined more economical,cheaper,quicker more powerful also it will probably be greener.
If Honda put a Diesel in the Jazz they would sell loads more.Honda do some strange things to be different,like taking decades to introduce diesels but when they do they are a success,and messing around with naturally aspirated low torque vtec engines in their sportier cars,where as other manufacturers use turbos or superchargers and end up with better performing more economical cars.Still Honda TV Ads are still the best

By nickbsmooth on 14 December, 2010, 5:49pm

Ignorance

Once again the obvious is over looked.
Low CO2 emissions do not make a car engine clean, efficient maybe but clean no. A diesel emits far worse things than CO2, so although a diesel is generally more efficient it is a worse polluter than a petrol engine, maybe more so in a city environment that these cars are aimed at. Are 'motorists' sure that automatic diesels return better MPG than automatic hybrids - are we comparing like with like? Also when plugins become available at a price I can afford it should mean I don't have to go to the petrol station anymore, how many people have a petrol pump at home? I can't wait for the day when I don't have to change the filters, toxic fluids, etc. Just my opinion of course!

By steelcityuk on 15 December, 2010, 9:47am

Ignorance? You are missing the point...

The CO2 figures are what the industry and government have chosen to use to indicate how 'Green' a vehicle is, therefore my observations are made on that basis.

This model has a price premium due to it's 'Green' tech. My point here is that there are cars available with highly efficient diesel and petrol engines that compete in the same category as the Jazz Hybrid, which equal or better this cars emission figures at a much lower price. Market forces will not be kind to the Jazz Hybrid for this reason.

By sgtgrash on 15 December, 2010, 3:07pm

What a Miss!

I have long been a fan of Honda but whoever was responsible for releasing a 16 to 18.5 grand supermini that is not congestion charge exempt nor road tax exempt needs the sack, no one in their right mind will buy it!

By Manxman on 16 December, 2010, 4:41pm

Are diesel cars with DPF finished? enter the Jazz Hybrid.

The market for efficient petrol/Hybrid cars is undoubtedly increasing. New diesels complying with Euro5 fitted with Particulate filters appear to be bad news if a car is driven for spells of short journeys and cold weather, ie your average winter. The good fuel consumption figures of diesels then takes a dive as the filter blocks up, with the prospect of huge repair/replacement bills for the DPF. For this reason petrol is making a comeback with cars like the Jazz.. Reviews of brand new diesel cars don't pick up the longer term effects of a dpf as most testers tend to drive the cars enthusiastically.

By surfindude on 4 February, 2011, 10:56am

Return of the CVT!

Thank you Honda for ditching the awful jerky and noisy i-drive automatic and giving us back the CVT. Due to a left knee injury, I am no longer able to drive a manual so my choice of small car is very limited. Most small autos are just horrid to drive, but my old Jazz CVT is at least smooth and reasonably refined. The new version can only be better and I look forward to trying the hybrid. I don't really care that small diesels are cheaper to run or emit less CO2 'cos they are of no use to me whatsoever.

By mitchp on 8 February, 2011, 1:03pm

Another pointless Jazz model

Yet again, Honda shoot at an open goal and miss. I don;t want a silly hybrid, I don;t want clever ishits either. What I DO want is a Jazz witha 1.5 engine that can pull taller gears and be usable on Motorways without deafening me as it buzzes itself to death. No excuses Honda! You build 1.5l Jazz's at Swindon for export!

By yojimbo on 21 April, 2011, 11:09am

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FIRST OPINION

    The Jazz gave Honda a chance to get back to the forefront of hybrid technology. But while it’s efficient, it’s not clean enough. Crucially, it doesn’t qualify for free road tax or exemption from the London congestion charge, plus it’s pricey. That means it’s likely to remain a niche choice – customers wanting low running costs will be better off with an eco-tweaked diesel. In standard petrol form, the Jazz remains a very good choice, serving up practicality to rival a people carrier. The facelift successfully smooths over its rough edges.  

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £18,435 
    Engine: 1.3-litre 4cyl petrol, plus 13bhp electric motor 
    Transmission: Seven-speed CVT automatic, front-wheel drive
    Power/torque: 114bhp/277Nm 
    0-62mph: 12.3 seconds
    Top speed: 109mph
    Econ/CO2: 62.8mpg/104g/km
    Standard equipment: Climate and cruise control, 15-inch alloys, auto lights and wipers, leather interior, USB connectivity, keyless entry
    On sale: February
     
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