Honda Jazz hatchback review

Verdict: is the Honda Jazz a good car?

While most superminis prioritise a sporty driving experience and/or the latest tech for a low price, the Honda Jazz takes a different approach. Its smooth hybrid powertrain focuses on reducing everyday running costs; while its laid-back approach may not suit all buyers, the Jazz is a great choice if you're looking for an easy way to get from A to B as efficiently as possible.

Honda Jazz range

The Honda Jazz has long had its own niche as a small hatchback thanks in part to an impressive amount of space and flexibility inside. The latest model sticks to that yet also has a clever self-charging hybrid powertrain which means running costs are low and reliability is high.

The new Jazz looks quite a bit different from before, thanks to a redesigned face that includes distinctive LED lights and chunky bumpers. There’s also a new Crosstar EX trim that looks more SUV-like in order to compete with the Ford Fiesta Active and Citroen C3. An update for 2023 included new alloy wheel designs as well as revised bumpers for all models.

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Stepping inside, the Jazz has a pleasant, if unremarkable, interior that features a two-spoke steering wheel and neat-looking digital instruments. Highlights of the interior include Honda’s nifty Magic Seats in the rear, which can flip up to enable you to carry larger items that can’t fit in the boot, and the space is also ideal for your tail-wagging companion, without dirtying the seat fabrics. Another item worthy of note is the Jazz’ nine-inch infotainment system; this is leagues ahead of Honda’s older setup, though it only comes fitted to mid-spec models and above.

Speaking of trim levels, the Honda Jazz lineup expanded in 2023, so there are now four specifications to choose from: Elegance, Advance, Advance Sport and Crosstar. Exact details for each are yet to be confirmed, but Advance Sport models are set to receive more aggressive styling tweaks as well as stiffened suspension, a model-specific three-spoke steering wheel, plus suede and synthetic leather upholstery.

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The hybrid set-up in the Jazz is referred to as ‘e:HEV’ and uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and two electric motors connected to a battery pack. There isn’t a conventional gearbox, but in practice the sensation of accelerating feels similar to the CVT transmission in the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, with a droning noise from the engine if you put your foot down.

It’s more akin to driving an electric car at low to medium speeds, making for relaxed progress. Despite a power boost in 2023 which raised output to 120bhp, the Jazz remains very efficient; the official test shows it’s capable of up to 61.4mpg and just over 100g/km of CO2 emissions. Unlike some official figures, we found that this number wasn’t difficult to match in real-world driving. 

A five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2020 proves the Honda Jazz is among the safest superminis too, thanks in part to a suite of clever technology. Partner this with Honda’s impressive record for customer satisfaction and reliability in our Driver Power customer satisfaction surveys, and the Japanese brand’s smallest model looks to already be on to a winner.