Honda Jazz Long Term Review

The Honda Jazz pioneered the premium hatchback segment in India when it was first launched in India in 2009. At that time the Jazz offered sedan-like practicality and space along with impressive dynamics but failed to gain the market-share it deserved. The second generation of the vehicle was launched here in 2015 and got a mild update in 2018. The diesel Jazz is now a part of our long term fleet. Honda mildly updated the Jazz just a year ago with new features and some cosmetic changes. The facelift brought LED lights and chrome door handles along with turn indicators on ORVMs. The Jazz's modern and premium styling elements don't attract much attention even after the facelift. The design doesn't look dated but there are no major exterior changes with this facelift.However, this facelift does bring new features to the interior. The interior has always been this car's strong point. Honda has loaded the Jazz with a ton of features such as keyless go, cruise control and automatic climate control to name a few. The top-end variant also gets a reverse parking camera with guidelines. It does miss out on a sunroof unfortunately but the dual-tone black and beige theme does give the cabin an airy feel.The updated infotainment system is much more responsive and the facelift also brings in support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The front row of seats provide great support and comfort and the same can be said about the rear seats. The cabin is extremely spacious and can easily seat five people in comfort. Even the boot is spacious.The 1.5-litre diesel engine powering the Honda Jazz makes 99 HP and 200 Nm of torque. The engine has impressive drivability and is ideal for commuting duties. The motor doesn't have any low-end lag and delivers linear performance throughout the rev range. The engine is on the noisier side and becomes more vocal in the top-end but also manages to deliver a stellar 18 km/l of fuel economy which is truly outstanding in this segment. The 6-speed manual gearbox delivers smooth shifts while the clutch is on the lighter side.Honda has also tuned the suspension to be on the stiffer side resulting in a great ride and handling balance. Sharp bumps do enter the cabin but overall the ride is very pliant. High-speed stability is very good and the body roll is also well contained. Braking performance is decent. The steering also offers remarkable feel and feedback. While being light in the city, it weighs up at higher speeds and offers a good amount of confidence around corners.The interior of the Honda Jazz is really spacious and comes with a good number of features. The diesel engine is extremely frugal and the Jazz has exceptional dynamics. The Jazz offers sedan-like practicality while still being compact and fun to drive. Despite having all these characteristics, the Jazz is quite under-rated. Although this segment has way too many offerings and the Jazz is one of the most expensive options, people looking for a reliable and spacious hatchback will not be disappointed by this vehicle.