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How much?	£12,290
On sale in the UK:	October 2008
Engine:	1339cc 16v 4cyl, 98bhp @ 6000rpm, 94lb ft @ 4800rpm
Transmission:	Six-speed semi-auto, front-wheel drive
Performance:	13.5sec 0-62mph, 112mph, 55.4mpg, 120g/km
How heavy / made of?	983-1128kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	3900/1695/1525

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Honda Jazz 1.4 ES i-SHIFT (2008) CAR review

By Ben Pulman

First Drives

02 September 2008 09:00

The arrival of a new Honda Jazz means an old folks' favourite is back. Bigger inside and more versatile than any other rival, the outgoing Jazz was a runaway success with retired types. The new car is longer, wider and more spacious than ever, and offers up all-new engines and a new gearbox, plus a hybrid version is coming. But can it match up to the likes of the brilliant new Ford Fiesta? Read on for CAR Online’s first verdict on the new Honda Jazz.

Ignore the drive for the moment – tell me about the versatility of the new Honda Jazz

The existing Honda Jazz sells well because it’s big inside, and all those clever, practicality-boosting features are easy to use. With the new model it’s business as usual with the cinema rear seats – dubbed Magic Seats in Hondaspeak. Either you can fold the seat squabs up so tall loads fit in the flat passenger footwell. Or you fold the whole seat forward by tugging one lever.

And the boot opening is so big you can then fit a Honda ATV inside. Just what the average 63 year-old owner carts around.

New to the Jazz is the catchy titled ULTR Double-Trunk, standard on 1.4 models. Fold the front half of the boot floor back to reveal storage space beneath, with a cargo net hanging over the hole. Various other (simple) origami folds then mean the net can either divide the boot in line with the axle, hang halfway up the boot, or fold all the way back so tall loads can sit where the spare wheel would otherwise sit.

Naturally, that means the Jazz has no spare tyre; there's get-me-home-foam.

Click 'Next' below to read about the Honda Jazz's latest clean engines

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Honda Jazz 1.4 ES i-SHIFT (2008) CAR review

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origami says

RE: Honda Jazz 1.4 ES i-SHIFT (2008) CAR review

I've owned a Jazz CVT for a number of years and I'm very happy with it. The CVT is superb and very smooth. The way the rear seats fold is great. The car is compact yet spacious and very reliable and I'm hard pressed to think it is possible to improve on it. I've just had a lengthy test drive in the i-SHIFT model and was plesantly surprised that there were some small improvements to comford, quietness and refinement. The was one small niggle in that the front seats cannot be moved back as far as before so limiting legroom. Unfortunately Honda have introduced a major problem in moving from CVT to i-SHIFT. The automatic gear change is not smooth and a disappointment when compared with the CVT. Neither I, nor my dealer, can understand why Honda have abandoned CVT for this model yet for the Civic are moving the other way. I hope Honda re-think it for the Jazz as I will be sticking with my present car for the moment.

21 February 2009 08:32

ali749 says

RE: Honda Jazz 1.4 ES i-SHIFT (2008) CAR review

After looking at a Jazz 1.4 EX in the showroom i thought what a wonderful looking car,i have a 2.0 litre focus myself and i wasn,t expecting to much to tell you the truth, however as soon as i sat inside i was both impressed with the amount of equipment that was standard and at how comfortable it was,for saying it was a small car i didn,t feel cramped at all,the glass roof is an amazing addition also the inclusion of All Round Disc brakes of which Ford can,t be bothered to include on their 2008 fiesta.When finances permit i will be purchasing a 1.4 ex honda jazz,because quite simply its the only way to go when downsizing, you don,t have to feel like you have downsized which is a testament to how well the Jazz has been thought out and designed, alot of people say about the handling is not that good, well its not a sports car if you want fun handling cars get a hot hatch thats what they are there for. The Jazz is smart,stacked with equipment,up to date,spacious,functional and a nice car all round and should be looked on as one.

03 November 2008 13:11

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JohnnyBimmer says

RE: Honda Jazz 1.4 ES i-SHIFT (2008) CAR review

Resis - m question is simply what "soul" does the Jazz have.. is it ambiance, practicality and utility, lifestyle? I've felt sould in that most utilitarian econo-tin can the previous gen' Fiat Panda. Sweet as a nut, unpretentious and fun at 15mph or ringing its scrawny engine at 55mph. Fun personafied. So I can understand soul but where's it coming from in a Jazz?

06 September 2008 02:53

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Archibold says

RE: Honda Jazz 1.4 ES i-SHIFT (2008) CAR review

The Honda Jazz is not a fridge, it is more of a Bosch Compact Combination Microwave and there is nothing wrong with them :-P

04 September 2008 12:22

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resis says

RE: Honda Jazz 1.4 ES i-SHIFT (2008) CAR review

JB - glad you've had such a great record with your bimmers - I'm not surprised. However I didn't regard the Jazz (or any of my cars all of which I loved - I like all the cars I've owned) as an appliance - yes it was brilliant as one, as are your BMWs - I'm talking also about soul, that impossible to determine factor; I feel Hondas do have them (more so than BMWs IMHO! - talk about teutonic efficiency ;-)). If you wanna regard them as appliances, OK, but I don't.........

04 September 2008 12:13

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