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Honda Jazz hybrid vs rivals

New Honda Jazz hybrid meets petrol SEAT and diesel Skoda rivals. Which gets our vote?

Honda Jazz hybrid group

April 2011

Rising fuel prices and crowded roads mean 
efficient small cars are big news. Traditionally, that would have made a diesel supermini a must for every car manufacturer... 
but times are changing. 

Honda doesn’t offer an oil-burning version of the practical Jazz hatchback, so it was only a matter of time before its hybrid IMA technology was adopted.

The result is a car that mixes class-leading cabin space with claimed economy of 62.9mpg. The newcomer relies on the 
petrol-electric principles that underpin Honda’s Insight, Civic IMA and CRZ
models. In fact, the Jazz Hybrid features the same  powertrain as the Insight, and emits only 104g/km of CO2 – that’s 21g/km less than the 
conventional 1.2-litre version. 

But the entry-level HE model costs £15,995 – and there are cheaper frugal superminis out there. The first rival waiting to test itself against the hi-tech Honda takes the traditional 
diesel approach to maximising efficiency. Skoda’s new Fabia GreenLine II is powered by VW’s proven three-cylinder TDI unit, and with tall gearing and aero tweaks, it emits only 89g/km 
of CO2 and claims staggering economy of 83.1mpg. 

Conventional petrol cars can be efficient, too, and Skoda sister firm SEAT has the newest eco 
kid on the block in the shape 
of the Ibiza. Its 1.2-litre TSI engine promises 55.4mpg.

Both are cheaper than the clever Honda, but which one 
hits the supermini sweet spot 
for cost-conscious motorists?

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

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3 Comments

AE economy results?

The AE economy results for the petrol powered cars are staggering! How exactly were the cars driven, around Nordschleife?
With average speed driving, my 10-year old, 220bhp Fiat Coupe does 30mpg, and 6-year old 60hp Twingo regularly does 45-55mpg.
If this is the real world economy of these cars, where is the progress? Has the R&D money been spent only on finding way to trick the EU economy tests and lower "theoretical" CO2 levels?

By mko_20vt on 20 April, 2011, 9:50pm

Economy???? 35.4mpg?????

We're looking out for 50-70mpg (comb) now and 50mpg (urban). So what's all this nonsense I keep reading about small economical cars? And why Petrol? Petrol is dead. Not only that, these cars are automotive slugs. Any car worth it's salt has to do 60mph in 10 secs otherwise it's a danger on the road. 10 secs is the deal-breaker, mpg is flexible (sort of). Bigger cars can do it, so why not these smaller cars? For God sake Honda drop a 1.6 diesel in the Jazz and bring it to life. It's a good car without an engine. Come on!!!
P.S. Cut the top speed to 90mph in most cars and make them cruise most economically at 80mph. A stinging 100mph tax would soon cut greenhouse gases and take the doombrains off the road.

By Tooyoo on 21 April, 2011, 1:00pm

Young Bull Or Old Bull?

Tooyoo, I was open to your differing opinion until you said "Any car worth it's salt has to do 60mph in 10 secs otherwise it's a danger on the road". On what research do you base this statement?

The only research I've seen cites driver behaviour as the predominant factor in accidents, statistically, almost to the exclusion of all other factors. There's sound evidence to indicate that that affordable, high-performance vehicles in the hands of immature drivers have a disproportionate impact on accident stats. Interestingly, high performance vehicles in the hands of mature drivers are little worse than average, suggesting that cheap horsepower has a different accident characteristic to expensive horsepower. The logical conclusion from that is that age is the key factor, not the capacity to do 60mph in 10 secs.

By FloatingVoter on 8 May, 2011, 10:07am

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Full Car Reviews

SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TSI SE corner

1st SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TSI SE

Attractive, fuel-sipping petrol car puts up strong fight
Skoda Fabia Greenline II corner

2nd Skoda Fabia Greenline II

A tiny three-cylinder engine, stop-start technology and eco optimised aerodynamics make this the greenest Skoda yet.
Honda Jazz hybrid corner

3rd Honda Jazz hybrid

Petrol-electric tech comes to the supermini market
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Facts and Figures

Verdict

Economical small cars come in all shapes and sizes, and each of our contenders here has a unique selling point. But which combines efficiency and usability best?

While the fuel economy of the Fabia GreenLine II is impressive, the compromises demanded on performance and refinement are simply too great. It wins if penny-pinching thirst is at the top of your agenda; but as an all-round package, the gruff diesel engine, sluggish pace, dated looks and budget cabin cost the Skoda dear.

The Jazz is the top choice for buyers who value practicality above all else. The addition of a hybrid drivetrain hasn’t affected its ingenious interior packaging. Trouble is, while Honda’s petrol-electric drivetrain is advanced, it doesn’t live up to its billing. Poor fuel economy and an unappealing CVT gearbox take the edge off the Jazz ownership experience. 

Our winner is the car that demands fewest sacrifices, and the SEAT is good to drive, frugal and clean. If you divide your time between town, the open road and motorway, it’s the clear winner. It edges out the Skoda on economy, leaving the expensive hybrid Honda a disappointing third.
 
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