Honda Jazz and Crosstar Hybrid review: first impressions

In this new generation, the Honda Jazz is aiming to stand out. A regular presence in reliability rankings and already valued for its versatility and roomy cabin, the new Honda Jazz is looking to make its mark in other areas too.

From its styling and cabin to its technology and powertrains, there is plenty that is new about the Honda Jazz and its more adventure-styled sibling, the Honda Crosstar Hybrid.

We have already driven it during an initial test in Lisbon, and these are our first impressions.

Honda Jazz: greatly improved design

The Jazz has moved on considerably from the previous generation in terms of exterior design. Its formerly complex lines have been replaced by a friendlier, more cohesive look, with a clear attempt to bring it closer in character to the Honda e.

The new Honda Jazz also gains a split front pillar to improve visibility. As a result, it is not only more harmonious in appearance, but more practical as well.

For buyers unconvinced by its MPV-like proportions, there is an alternative: the Honda Crosstar Hybrid.

Its SUV inspiration is unmistakable. Plastic cladding and wheel-arch extensions around the bodywork, together with the impression of greater ground clearance, turn the Jazz into a small SUV. This is largely a cosmetic transformation, however, and it costs €3,000 more than the Jazz.

Spacious interior and… magic seats

If you want generous interior room in a compact exterior package, the Honda Jazz could be the car for you. In this segment, no rival makes better use of space than the Honda Jazz and Crosstar Hybrid.

There is no shortage of room aboard the Honda Jazz/Crosstar, whether you are sitting in the front or the rear. Comfort is equally well catered for, and Honda’s engineers have done a good job in this respect.

Boot capacity stands at 304 litres with the seats in their usual position, rising to 1,204 litres when every seat is folded down. That is achieved in a car measuring only just over four metres long - 4,044 mm, to be precise. It is remarkable.

Alongside this space, there are also the magic seats, a feature first introduced on the original Jazz in 1999. Not familiar with the system? It is very straightforward - take a look:

A surprise on the road: handling and fuel consumption

The new-generation Honda Jazz is not simply more appealing to look at; the improvements are just as evident on the road.

It still is not the most exciting car to drive on the market, but it is highly capable in every respect. It consistently inspires confidence in the driver and, above all, encourages a more relaxed pace. Sound insulation is another area that has improved enormously.

The hybrid system works exceptionally well. As with the Honda CR-V, the new Jazz and Crosstar are, in simplified terms, electric cars powered by petrol. Although there is a very small battery of less than 1 kWh, the 109 PS and 235 Nm electric motor connected to the front axle draws the energy it needs from the internal-combustion engine, which effectively acts only as a generator in this situation.

The 98 PS and 131 Nm 1.5 i-MMD is therefore the electric motor’s real “battery”. This also explains why the Jazz and Crosstar do not have a conventional gearbox, as is the case with other electric vehicles; there is only a single-speed reduction gear.

The combustion engine operates very discreetly, becoming audible only under hard acceleration or at higher speeds, such as on a motorway. High-speed driving is the sole situation in which the combustion engine acts as the drive unit, with a clutch connecting and disconnecting it from the driven axle. Honda says it is more efficient to use the combustion engine alone in these conditions. In every other scenario, the electric motor drives the Jazz and Crosstar.

In performance terms, the response of the powertrain came as a surprise. These may be the most energetic 109 PS I have driven in recent months. With no sporting ambitions, the Honda Jazz and Crosstar Hybrid still reach 100 km/h decisively in just 9.5 seconds.

Fortunately, the combustion engine and electric motor combination is also economical. The brand’s claimed 4.6 l/100 km combined-cycle figure under the WLTP standard is realistic. During this initial drive, including a few more forceful starts, I recorded 5.1 l/100 km.

Honda Jazz and Crosstar Hybrid pricing in Portugal

There is good news and less positive news. Let us start with the latter.

Honda Portugal has chosen to sell only the range-topping version in the country. The result is an impressive equipment list, although the Honda Jazz consequently carries a substantial price tag. It is substantial enough for Honda to have repositioned the Jazz alongside compact family cars, one segment above where we would normally expect to find it. Keep reading, though, because the picture becomes more encouraging from here.

The Honda Jazz has a list price of €29,268, but a launch campaign - expected to remain in place for many months - means that the Honda Jazz is available for €25,500. Choosing the Honda Crosstar raises the price to €28,500.

Another piece of good news is an offer exclusively for Honda customers. Anyone with a Honda in their garage can receive an additional €4,000 discount. There is no need to trade in the car; simply owning a Honda is enough.