Is an economical hybrid powertrain enough to make the latest Jazz hit the high notes?
They say it’s lonely at the top, but for the Honda Jazz, the same can equally be true towards the other end of the scale.Indeed, the hybrid superminis of the world is a group that counts the Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio E-Tech and the MG 3 as its only members.Compared to its rivals, the Jazz has always put functionality and practicality high on its list of must haves, and is often defined by its clever interior packaging. Since its 2001 launch, the relatively compact Honda’s exceptional practicality and versatility have helped it to win favour with more than seven million buyers around the globe.Hoping to build on that success is the fourth-generation model, which arrived on UK roads in 2020 before receiving a heavy update in 2023. What sets it apart from its supermini rivals is that the Jazz is sold exclusively with a petrol-electric powertrain in a bid to keep pace with ever-tightening emissions regulations. But since this generation of Jazz made its debut in 2020, new versions of both the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris have arrived. So how does the Honda Jazz stack up against its hybridised competitors, and is its quirky styling and intelligent packaging still enough to catch the attention of wannabe supermini owners. The Jazz line-up at a glanceThe Honda Jazz is offered exclusively as a hybrid in the UK and is available in four different guises: Elegance, Advance, Crosstar Advance and Advance Sport. Elegance opens the line-up and gets 15in alloys, parking sensors and adaptive cruise control, while mid-rung Advance adds larger 16in wheels, heated seats and steering wheel and keyless entry. The Crosstar Advance boasts a more rugged aesthetic, featuring a raised ride height and additional body cladding to make it look more off-road friendly. Bookending the Jazz range is the Advance Sport, which gets the same kit as the Crosstar, but goes without the go-anywhere styling.Â
