Honda Jazz hatchback - Interior & comfort

Interior quality is on a par with typical Honda standards, the Jazz is exceptionally roomy for a supermini, and Honda has at last improved its infotainment system. It's now faster and has all the smartphone connectivity most customers could want.

Honda Jazz dashboard

Honda interiors have tended to be functional, if a little uninspiring, but there's quite a bit to like here. The Jazz gets a quirky two-spoke steering wheel, like the electric Honda e’s, and most of the surfaces you'll touch are soft and padded. There are some hard finishes, particularly around the doors, but this isn’t a luxury car after all.

It also has a greatly improved infotainment system – a real Honda sticking point in recent years. The nine-inch screen no longer has an aftermarket look, being neatly designed to 'float' just in front of the fascia, and the software is more responsive with attractive graphics. It also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with an Internet hotspot, Honda Personal Assistant and a smartphone app that customers can use to keep connected with their car.

Equipment

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Honda restructured the Jazz lineup for 2023; previously, buyers could choose from four distinct trim levels: SE, SR, EX and EX Style. Standard equipment included 15-inch steel wheels, climate control, automatic wipers, heated door mirrors, Bluetooth and LED headlights. Base cars featured a five-inch screen which is vastly inferior to the nine-inch touchscreen that was included with mid-spec SR trim and above.

Now, there are just three main trims: Elegance, Advance and Advance Sport. Exact details and equipment lists are yet to be revealed, however we do know that Elegance and Advance models will benefit from upgraded seat upholstery and a suite of safety technology.

New for 2023, the range-topping Advance Sport will live up to its name with an aggressive bodykit and a three-spoke sports steering wheel, as well as suede and faux leather seats. Although it’s yet to be confirmed, press images suggest the Advance Sport will come with the larger nine-inch infotainment display as standard, while Honda has stated that it will benefit from a stiffened suspension setup for a sportier drive.

Attempting to capitalise on the current SUV craze, Honda also offers the Jazz in Crosstar guise. The interior gains water-repellent upholstery and a premium audio system, but it's the outside that's most transformed. Raised ground clearance, black plastic wheel arches, unique bumpers and a set of roof rails transform the Jazz into a quasi-crossover to rival the Ford Fiesta Active, Citroen C3 Aircross and Audi A1 Citycarver. It's a look which should broaden the Jazz's appeal to a wider audience.

Options

Honda doesn't tend to offer a long list of options in the same vein as manufacturers such as Audi, but there are several ways to personalise the latest Jazz. Functional Finesse, Functional Fun and Robust packs add a styling makeover to the exterior, with splashes of colour and different grille, bumper and door mirror finishes. It's also possible to add interior ambient lighting and official accessories like boot sill protectors, floor mats and roof racks.