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Honda Jazz/Fit (2008 - )

What's Good

New Jazz. Launch Tokyo Motor Show October 2007. On Japanese market from October 2007. In from late 2008. Much the same recipe. Choice of 100PS 1.3-litre or 120PS 1.5-litre VTEC engines. Manual or CVT autos. Should offer excellent pedestrian impact protection. Slightly longer and now with a 400 litre boot.

Windshield moved forward by 4.7 inches. Triangular windows in the side front doors to improve visibility, rather than having A pillar quarter windows. Wheelbase increased 2 inches to 98.4 inches, while overall length up 2.2 inches to 153.5 inches. New Jazz also 0.8 inch wider, while front track is 1.4 inches wider and rear track is 1.2 inches wider. Car is only 10 kilos heavier.

Inside has height and reach adjustable steering wheel. Chunky steering wheel, like Civic's. More rear legroom, increased 1.6 inches. No spare tire, so Tyrefit or Runflats. Cargo capacity up 1.5 cubic feet to a total of 14.2 cubic feet. Ridiculous 10 cupholders for American market (illegal for driver to use them on the move in the UK).

Japan has 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre petrol engines. US only gets an all-new 1.5. Thailand only gets the new 1.5. The incorporation of i-VTEC variable valve timing helps the 1.5-liter engine produce 120PS (118bhp) at 6,000 rpm (an improvement of 9 hp) and 107 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm (a very useful increase of 21 lb-ft). 1.3 puts out 100PS.

A rotating passenger seat is available on the Japanese car which takes full advantage of the Fit’s easy access. The seat has a higher position than previously, has additional foot space and features a specially contoured seat cushion. The seat enables easy loading and unloading of a wheelchair through the rear seats.

On sale in Japan from late October 2007.

140PS FR version of 1.5 in Japan with manual or CVT-7 transmissions and bodykit.

120PS 1.5 launched for Thai market at Bangkok Motor Show 28-3-2008 at prices from 550,000 baht for 5-speed manual S to 695,000 baht for CVT-7 SV (SRS).

UK and European versions first shown to journalists 23-7-2008 with strict embargoes of descriptions 28-7-2008 and driving impressions 25-8-2008.

Length: 3,900mm (12’ 10”)
Width: 1,695mm (5’ 7”) + mirrors
Height: 1,525mm (5’ 0”)

1.2 I-VTEC petrol manual only: 66kW (90PS) at 6,000rpm / 114 Nm (84 lb ft) torque at 4,900rpm. 0-60 13.4 seconds; top speed 106mph; combined mpg: 55.4; CO2 emissions: 125g/km* (2008/09 Band C £120; 2009/10 Band D £90) Emissions Category: EU 2005. Insurance Group TBA.

1.4 petrol 5-speed manual: 74kW (100PS) at 6,000rpm / 128 Nm (94 lb ft) torque at 4,800rpm. 0-60 13.0 seconds; top speed 106mph; combined mpg: 53.3; CO2 emissions: 128g/km* (2008/09 Band C £120; 2009/10 Band D £90); Emissions Category: EU 2005. Insurance Group TBA.

1.4 petrol 6-speed I-SHIFT: kW (100PS) at 6,000rpm / 128 Nm ( lb ft) torque at 4,800rpm. 0-60 14.2 seconds; top speed 99mph; combined mpg: 54.3; CO2 emissions: 125g/km* (2008/09 Band C £120; 2009/10 Band D £90); Emissions Category: EU 2005. Insurance Group TBA.

*Originally estimated at 120g/km for 1.2, 124g/km for 1.4 and 120g/km for 1.4 I-SHIFT, but likely to be re-certificated by the end of 2008 to these original figures.

Will eventually be a Jazz hybrid, probably around 2010, after a new hybrid arrives in 2009 between Jazz and Civic size.

UK prices:-

Honda Jazz 1.2 S circa £9,990 IG 4E
Honda Jazz 1.4 SE a/c £10,990 IG 4E
Honda Jazz 1.4 ES a/c manual £11,490 IG 5E
Honda Jazz 1.4 ES I-SHIFT £12,290 IG 5E
Honda Jazz 1.4 EX £12,790 IG 5E
Honda Jazz 1.4 EX I-SHIFT £13,590

Available in the UK from October 2008. European production be built in the UK from 2009 alongside reduced numbers of CR-Vs and Civics.

May 2009 Euro NCAP 5-Star rating: 78% adult, 79% child, 60% pedestrian, 71% safety assist.

2nd most reliable car in 2009 Which? report (though you'd expect a car that had only been on the market for 7 months at the time to be reliable).

After pilot production of 30 metallic blue Jazz and 30 Silver Jazz, 60 red Jazz were built at Swindon on 30-9-2009, paving the way for full scale production to start on 7th Ocdtober 2009.

HUM (Honda UK Manuufacturing) is building:

LHD and RHD 1.2 5-speed manuals
LHD and RHD 1.4 manuals
LHD and RHD 1.4 6-speed I-Shifts
RHD 1.3 5-speed manuals (for South Africa only)
RHD 1.3 5-speed torque converter autos (for South Africa only)
RHD 1.5 5-speed manuals (for South Africa only)
RHD 1.5 5-speed torque converter autos (for South Africa only)

The 1.3 and 1.5 litre I-VTEC engines are being built at HUM, Swindon, but the 5-speed torque converter automatic transmissions are being imported from Japan.

RECOMMENDED.

Photos at www.honda.co.jp from 24-10-07

First Impressions at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=340

Full Test at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=347

More at www.honda.co.uk

Last updated 26-10-2009

What's Bad

Steering very light and needs too much turning.

Honda issued a statement contradicting the original CO2 certification claims and meaning all Jazz will be in the £120/£90 VED bracket instead of £35/30:-

"Emissions and fuel economy figures have also been confirmed, with significant improvements on the outgoing model. The 1.2-litre S and SE models will achieve a super frugal 53.3mpg (combined) with 125g/km CO2 emissions. The 1.4-litre ES model, with increased power of 100PS, achieves 52.3mpg and 128g/km CO2 emissions while the top EX grade manages a thrifty 51.4mpg with emissions of 130g/km. Fitted with the i-SHIFT automated manual transmission, emissions of the 1.4-litre models are reduced to 125g/km and 128g/km respectively, while improved fuel economy is comparable with the 1.2-litre model."

Numerous complaints that golf clubs won't fit across the boot, as they would in the old model.

In filthy weather, the glass front quarterlights are prone to getting so caked in muck that visibility through them is seriously impaired.

16" Honda spare wheel optional extra at £160 including fitting and VAT (Part Number H06421TF0E10.)

What to Watch Out For

TBA.