Honda Jazz Review 2024

Honda Jazz At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
There’s a lot going for Honda’s latest hatchback - not least its incredible efficiency and enormous practicality.

+Very practical. Safe. Cheap to run. More desirable than ever before.

-Hybrid only and no manual gearbox. Not everyone will appreciate the styling. Expensive.

If you’re looking for an incredibly versatile small car that won’t cost a fortune to run, the new hybrid Honda Jazz is a brilliant option. It’s more appealing than ever before, thanks to fresh new looks and a revamped interior - not to mention the much improved media system and the latest safety technology. On the downside, it’s a little expensive, and the hybrid setup won’t appeal to everyone. Find out more in our Honda Jazz review.

The Honda Jazz has been an Honest John favourite ever since the original model arrived in 2001, with its big-car versatility, low running costs and a reputation for reliability.

It’s a car that’s always been popular with the older generation but the latest model, launched in 2020, ought to have a broader appeal. Not only does the latest Honda Jazz look trendier than ever before (you can decide for yourself whether you like its chunky looks), but it also has an almost premium interior that’s absolutely loaded with technology.

There’s loads of space inside the Honda Jazz, helped by the so-called ‘magic’ rear seats which can flip and fold to provide more space. If you need to carry bulky loads rather than rear passengers, there isn’t a better small car on sale. That said, it’s very good at carrying passengers, too - adults will be very happy in the rear, and it’s easy to get comfortable up front.

All Honda Jazz models get a digital instrument cluster, while most also come with an impressive nine-inch media system. This is leagues ahead of infotainment screens used in previous Hondas, with intuitive smartphone-like inputs and quick responses.

There’s also loads of driver-assist technology with the Honda Jazz, powered by a wide-view front camera which monitors the road ahead and, Honda claims, is more advanced than similar systems used by other manufacturers. It can spot pedestrians on the road at night, for example, and can apply the brakes to prevent (or mitigate) a collision).

There’s only one engine available in the latest Honda Jazz, and it’s a hybrid setup. That means it combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a pair of electric motors, via a single-speed gearbox. This might sound complicated but it really isn’t - you don’t need to charge it (it’s not a plug-in hybrid), while the Honda Jazz drives just like any other automatic petrol car. Albeit one that can drive away in silence and return incredible economy.

Officially, the Honda Jazz can return up to 62.8mpg and - although it’s a bit too new to feature in our Real MPG data - our experience suggests that’s fairly viable in the real world. It’ll be cheap to run in other aspects, too. You get a £10 yearly discount in tax because of its hybrid status, and insurance shouldn’t be any more than a Ford Fiesta.

Despite feeling like a much bigger car than it actually is, the Honda Jazz is a very easy car to drive. You sit a bit higher up than you would in a more conventional alternative, enjoying a good view of the road ahead thanks to the deep front windscreen. It’s also very refined - both in and out of town - while standard reversing sensors (on all but entry-level models) make it a very easy car to negotiate tight parking spaces. 

Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Honda Jazz review.

Ask Honest John

What small automatic would you recommend?

"I'm looking for a small automatic car which could be a petrol hybrid. Probably a year or 2 years old, what would you recommend?"
We would suggest looking at the Honda Jazz, which is available with a petrol hybrid powertrain and an automatic gearbox, and is one of our favourite small cars. Alternatively you could consider the Hyundai Kona or Toyota Yaris.
Answered by David Ross

What reliable car do you recommend for two pensioners?

"We are looking to buy a car with a budget between of between £8k to £12k. We will be covering between 4000 to 5000 miles every year. We are pensioners and so are looking for a reliable car that's easily maintained and cheap to insure. We would like your opinion."
We'd recommend a Toyota Yaris Hybrid - it's likely to be exceptionally reliable and cheap to run. Also consider a petrol Hyundai i20 or a Honda Jazz.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What do you suggest as a replacement for my Citroen C3 Picasso?

"I need to replace my 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso, I especially like the high driving position and straight up and down hatch which is great for my dog. What do you recommend?"
A Honda Jazz could be a good choice - it's a very versatile little car, similar in size to your C3 Picasso. Alternatively, consider a small SUV such as a Skoda Kamiq or Toyota Yaris Cross.
Answered by Andrew Brady

I need a replacement for a Ford B-MAX that offers better ride comfort?

"My wife currently has a Ford B-MAX. It’s great for grandchildren but she no longer wants to drive at night due to the appalling headlights and she would like something that doesn’t expose every imperfection in the road surface. Budget is low £20,000s. What would you recommended?"
We would suggest looking at cars such as the Skoda Fabia, Honda Jazz and Hyundai i20, all of which have decent ride quality and are available well within budget.
Answered by David Ross
More Questions

What does a Honda Jazz cost?