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By Ben Pulman
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.
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Handling
Performance
Usability
Feelgood factor
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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
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
JohnnyBimmer says
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
Archibold says
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
resis says
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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