Honda Jazz
Overall Average Rating - 88.63%
Position in the Top 100 cars - 10th
WINNER OF CLASS - Supermini/city car
The average supermini/city car rating has improved this year, but it’s still the lowest-scoring class overall in the survey, despite the arrival of some impressive new models. And it’s a Driver Power veteran that tops the pile. According to those who drive them every day, there is no better supermini on the planet than Honda’s Jazz. The Japanese favourite makes it into the top 10 of the overall Driver Power top 100, and has comfortably bettered its nearest rival here, thanks to its great practicality, unburstable reliability and easy everyday driving. Coming a close second is the capable Fabia from Skoda, which holds on to its silver-medal position ahead of Toyota’s previous-generation Yaris. In fourth place is a new entry in the chart. Fiat’s Panda was Auto Express’s Car of the Year in 2004, and it’s proving to be a sound long-term ownership proposition, too. It’s closely followed by another budget model, Hyundai's Getz, which makes it into the top five ahead of numerous more costly rivals.
Ratings
Position in the Top 100 cars
Reliability: 3rd
Build Quality: 4th
Running Costs: 4th
Performance: 70th
Braking: 51st
Ride Quality: 93rd
Handling: 42nd
Practicality: 3rd
Comfort: 50th
Ease of Driving: 3rd
Your Quotes
“Incredibly practical, problem-free, economical and lots of fun: the Jazz is the best car that I have ever been lucky enough to own. Period.”
Mr Baris Purut - Surrey
“Ok apart from dealer attitude and cost of servicing.”
Mr S Creates - Kent
“Very easy to drive and live with and very practical. A good family car.”
Mr Stuart Trace - East Sussex
“Does everything I ask of it.”
Mr James Sharpington - Devon
“A great "do-it-all" car. Bags of space, easy to drive in town and keeps up on A roads and M ways. The magic seats and mpg are the things that gives the Jazz the edge.”
Mrs Lesley Brown - Wiltshire
“Very good value for money. I get almost 50mpg if I keep my foot back a little bit. Otherwise it's still over 40mpg. The only gripe I have is that the seats are too hard on top of hard suspension which makes it uncomfy on roads of poor surface quality."
J Prior - Herts
“Like the design, performance, reliability, comfort and appearance.”
Mr John Allan - London
“Reliable, easy to drive (automatic) and perfect for running around town.”
Mr Stuart Leighton - Dundee
“Very reliable practical car, ingenious rear seats, easy to drive and comfortable enough to mean after a long journey you are not tired.”
Mr Stuart Trace - East Sussex
Manufacturer Verdict (Position - 3rd)
It hasn't been a vintage Driver Power year for Honda, as its best models have slipped down a few rungs in the top 100. But the firm has managed to hold on to its bronze medal position. Buyers can still expect first-class motoring, no matter which model they choose. Interestingly, the car maker's strongest suit was reliability, and Honda didn't finish lower than 11th in any one of the 10 categories.
