New Honda Jazz e:HEV – Practical, Hybrid Mobility.
New Honda Jazz – Practical Hybrid Mobility.
The new Honda Jazz enters a bold new era, combining decades of hybrid experience with innovative design to create the most advanced Jazz yet. The new Jazz represents the model’s revolutionary shift to exclusive full hybrid powertrains across all trim levels, abandoning traditional petrol-only engines entirely, and its striking silhouette is both aerodynamically efficient and effortlessly stylish.
Efficient Hybrid Powertrain.
Powering the new Jazz Hybrid is an efficient 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine that, in union with dual electric motors, produces 122 hp and 253 Nm of torque. This advanced self-charging e:HEV powertrain boasts seamless power delivery and regenerative braking capability, without the need to ever plug it in, and it can consume as little as 4.6 litres of petrol for every 100 km driven on a WLTP combined driving cycle. A sprint from 0-100 km/h is possible in just 9.4 seconds – impressively brisk for an eco-focused supermini, and ultra-low emissions of 82 g/km result in annual road tax of just €180.
Choice of Trim Lines.
Trim lines in the new Jazz Hybrid consist of Elegance, Advance, Advance Sport and Crosstar Advance. Entry-level Elegance trim provides the perfect balance of affordability and sophistication, with Advance trim also including stylish 16-inch alloy wheels, enhanced connectivity and advanced driver assist systems. The performance-oriented Advance Sport trim comes with sport-tuned suspension, distinctive styling elements, and enhanced driving dynamics, with Crosstar Advance providing buyers with the option of adventure-ready styling, raised ride height, distinctive design elements, and rugged exterior cladding.
Spacious & Versatile Cabin.
The interior of the new Jazz Hybrid is thoughtfully laid out, and the fit and finish is impressive, with easy-to-use knobs and dials making it effortless to access important functions in a timely manner. The 7-inch display in front of the driver has clear and crisp graphics, as does the 9-inch infotainment touchscreen that is located between the centre air vents on the dashboard. The driver’s display can be customised in order to prioritise important information, and the software that powers the infotainment touchscreen enables smooth, fuss-free operation. The Jazz Hybrid comes with plenty of space in the front and back seats, along with clever storage solutions in the form of large door bins, cupholders in the centre console, space under the centre armrest and two gloveboxes on the passenger side. There is also an area below the central touchscreen which houses 2 USB chargers, and is perfectly suited to housing a smartphone too. The front seats feature ‘anti-fatigue properties’ that provide limousine-like levels of comfort, and the large glass areas around the car flood the cabin with an airy feeling. The comfortable rear seats can accommodate 3 adults, or they can be folded to enlarge cargo space if and when required. Honda’s innovative ‘Magic Seat’ function allows for four different modes: folding completely flat for long items, lifting the seat bottom up for vertical storage, reclining for a lounge-like feel, and folding into the floor to create a flat load space. The versatility and convenience offered by this system is amazing, and the seats can be reconfigured in seconds to switch between the different modes. There are 2 ISOFIX mounting points on the rear outer seats, so fitting a child seat (or two) is a simple task, with the large door openings providing easy access. The standard 305 litre boot capacity can be expanded to 1,205 litres when the rear seats are folded down, and the small area under the boot floor does come in handy for hiding personal items out of sight.
Five-Star Safety.
The new Jazz Hybrid scored five stars when tested by Euro NCAP, with excellent scores in all of the important categories. All Jazz models come with Honda Sensing – a suite of safety assist technology that includes brake and collision mitigation assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control with low speed following.
Test Car Details.
My Honda Jazz Hybrid test car was finished in increasingly-popular Urban Grey Pearl paintwork with dark grey tri-material (fabric, suede and synthetic leather) upholstery. Exclusive ‘Advance Sport’ equipment includes an aerodynamic rear spoiler, black door mirrors, 16-inch Unique alloy wheels, sports pedals, regenerative braking & deceleration control paddles, blind-spot detection, Advance Sport styling elements, and a tailpipe finisher, along with driver-selectable drive modes (Econ, Sport and Normal). The intelligent e:HEV hybrid powertrain automatically selects from three drive modes: Electric, Hybrid or Engine. Electric Drive delivers instant acceleration from a standing start, almost silent cruising and 100% emission-free driving. Hybrid Drive combines the petrol engine and two electric motors for a highly efficient full hybrid performance, and Engine Drive uses the petrol engine to maintain higher speeds, and it charges the battery while doing so. Light, responsive steering makes tight city manoeuvres effortless in the new Jazz Hybrid, with predictable handling characteristics that prioritise safety and ease of drivability. The hybrid powertrain’s seamless transitions between electric and petrol power (and vice-versa) create a remarkably-refined driving experience that reduces fatigue on longer journeys. The comfort-focused suspension strikes a perfect balance between motorway stability and urban responsiveness, with road imperfections taken care of in a composed manner. The hybrid powertrain suits urban driving perfectly, as the electric motors do most of the work, and this allows for good acceleration from junctions and when entering roundabouts, with power sent to the car’s front wheels via an eCVT automatic transmission. With brake regeneration mode engaged in urban driving, energy that is normally lost through deceleration is sent back to the lithium-ion battery to enhance electric range. With the electric motors providing instant torque, it is possible to get up to motorway speed before the petrol engine kicks into life, while the use of excellent sound insulation in the manufacturing process eliminates the vast majority of wind and road noise. Honda’s 25+ years of hybrid development delivers reliability and efficiency that some competitors struggle to match, and the new Jazz Hybrid achieves diesel-like fuel consumption without the complexity, emissions concerns, or maintenance requirements of diesel engines.
Verdict & Price.
The new Honda Jazz Hybrid combines the Japanese brand’s vast hybrid experience with clever packaging, advanced safety tech, and intuitive design. Pricing starts from €31,495 (ex-delivery), with metallic / pearlescent paint priced at just €550.
Visit www.honda.ie for further information.
