Honda Jazz 2010 1.5 V Review

November 4, 2010
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Honda Jazz 2010

Most fuel efficient cars here in the Philippines come in small packages because they are usually lightweight with small displacement engines. But the biggest problem with small sub-compact cars is the space. Well, that’s not the case with the Honda Jazz because it offers the versatility of bigger cars like the SUV in small sub-compact body.

Guys from Honda Cars Philippines are kind enough to let me take home a yellow Jazz for a few days. The one I got to test was the top of the line Jazz 1.5 V with automatic transmission. The other two variants of the Jazz are both equipped with a slightly smaller 1.3 L engine, the Jazz 1.3 S MT and Jazz 1.3 S AT.

I already tried driving the Honda City and fell in love with its beautiful exteriors but in the interior versatility department, I’ll give it to the Jazz anytime in any car that belongs to the b-segment.

The Honda Jazz provides the versatility of an SUV because you can actually rearrange the rear seats to your liking. You can just fold the seats and haul a mountain-bike or even a small bed in there. You can even put a small cabinet inside vertically if you move the seats up. The seats are comfortable but the driver’s and the front passenger’s seats are a little bit too small for me. The sport-fabric material used for the seats are not that much of a heat conductor like leather but they are dust magnet.

I don’t like the car’s dashboard that much though. Unlike the City, with its simplicity, the Jazz is a little cluttered, specially where the air-con and radio controls are located. But if you like to drink coffee takeouts or take a bottled drink with you then you’ll probably like that the car has so much cup holders in it.

Safety is also a priority since the Jazz is also equipped with Dual SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger, ABS (Anti-lock Brake System), EBD with BA (Electronic Brake-force distribution with Brake Assist) and you can flip the rear view mirror to day or night mode.

Driving the Jazz is effortless because the handling is so light due to EPS (Electric Power Steering) which also contributes to its fuel efficiency. The downside is when I tried driving at high speed (around 140-150 kph), the steering still felt light maybe because the car is so light too. Maneuvering and parking (even parallel) is so easy though, you don’t even need a backing sensor to know that you are too near the wall or other parked cars so maybe that’s the reason Honda did not include it as a standard feature.

Suspension is on the softer side and the ride height is a little bit low but not as low that you need to do a “siete” when you are about to pass a road bump.

Overall, the Jazz is a great car! It’s agile and sporty but maybe the new color, the Helios Yellow is not for me. It’s too girly for my taste. Other colors are Taffeta White (1.5 V and 1.3 S), Crystal Black Pearl (1.5 V and 1.3 S), Polished Metal (1.5 V only) , Alabaster Silver Metallic (1.3 S).

In case you want to know about fuel efficiency, sorry but I did not even refuel the car before returning it to HCPI in Ortigas since after 6 days of testing it, I still got approximately ¼ on the tank. The digital fuel efficiency calculator said I’m averaging 14.5 though so you just give or take a few liters with that figure.

Just to add, just recently, the Honda Jazz was recognized as the Most Fuel Efficient (under gasoline class) and Most Functional Cabin vehicle under the media’s choice category during the 2010 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards night held at the Valle Verde Country Club.

Price: (As of this writing)

Jazz 1.3 S MT PHP 742,000.00

Jazz 1.3 S AT PHP 782,000.00

Jazz 1.5 V AT PHP 842,000.00

Pros: Spacious, Powerful yet fuel efficient.

Cons: Highest price in its class.

Other Hatchback Options:

If you want a sub-compact fun and sporty car, then you’ll never go wrong with the Jazz but I suggest you get the 1.5 V for more power and more features like the security alarm, 16-inch wheels and my favorite, the paddle shifters.

You should also consider test driving the new Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2, Hyundai i10, Hyundai Getz and Suzuki Alto.