Honda jazz 2011

Honda jazz 2011

Honda jazz 2011

The 2011 Honda Jazz is one of the more individual offerings in the highly competitive light car market.

And that’s a great thing, because with more than 25 competitors, it pays to stand out from the crowd.
Take for example its luggage capacity. At 337 litres, the Honda Jazz has the largest boot among its competitors. And despite being one of the few cars to come standard with a full-sized (15-inch) alloy spare wheel, the Jazz’s boot has a flat floor, which means none of those 337 litres are wasted or awkward to load.

Honda jazz 2011

The 2011 Honda Jazz cargo carrying functionality doesn’t end in the boot either. The popular Japanese hatchback is equipped with what Honda calls ‘Magic Seats’ – the equivalent of mechanical origami – which make it the most versatile car this side of an SUV.

The rear bench can seat three, although anyone with hips wider than a child’s will be uncomfortably perched on the seatbelt buckles when all seats are filled. If it’s just two adults in the back, however, short to medium trips can be completed in comfort without a worry.

Honda jazz 2011

If you don’t plan to fill the bench, the seats can be folded in the conventional 60:40 split fashion. When the seat backs are pushed forward, the seat bases slide forward and down, filling the rear foot well and allowing the seatback to sit completely flat. With both seats folded forward, the Jazz resembles a small van rather than a compact hatchback, and opens up 848 litres of space.

Alternatively, the seat bases can also be folded backwards with the seat backs upright. This is perfect for transporting taller items that need more height than what is offered by the boot. Other useful interior storage features include the double glove box (for those of us who like to keep our gloves apart) and 10 cup holders (for those times when all five passengers can’t decide between a coffee and a Red Bull).

The interior has a very spacious feel to it. This is accentuated by the large windows, which let in plenty of light and give the driver tremendous visibility – especially the large cut-outs at the base of the A-pillar. Even after just a few minutes in the Jazz, you have great confidence in knowing exactly where its corners are, taking the stress out of parking and manoeuvring in tight spots.
The only thing hampering visibility is the deep dashboard. When driving into the sun, you get a lot of reflection off the dashboard back onto the windscreen, which at times makes you squint a little and change your line of sight.

Honda jazz 2011

The new exterior styling gives the VTi a significantly sportier appearance. The lower air intake at the front has been stretched, giving the new Jazz a lower, wider stance, while the vertical cut-out features at the front and rear corners also contribute to a more racy, athletic feel.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the styling when I first picked it up from the dealership, but by the end of the week it had started to grow on me. All colours except white and red attract a $395 price premium, and the new Fresh Lime Metallic paint is a great way to stand out from the crowd, exuding a carefree, youthful attitude in the sunlight.

Honda jazz 2011

Over a week of driving that was spent mostly in the suburbs, our Jazz averaged 7.8 litres/100km. Given a more varied driving cycle, it would not be too difficult to come close to the official figure. The Jazz’s 42-litre fuel tank means it should theoretically take you 650km between fills in combined driving conditions.
The biggest decision for fans of the Jazz may be whether to purchase the VTi or go for the top of the range VTi-S model. Following price reductions in June, the VTi-S is now priced just $1200 above the VTi. For the extra spend you get 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, dark blue/grey cloth sports trim, driver’s centre armrest and a driver’s side seat-back pocket. They’re all features that make the VTi-S look and feel a little more upmarket and represent great value, however, they’re features you’re unlikely to miss if you decide to stick with the VTi.
The 2011 Honda Jazz is the perfect car for people who want maximum interior space from minimal exterior size. Those who find this appealing should also test drive the Suzuki Swift, which also has an accommodating interior. There are more exciting light cars to drive (like the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta and Mazda2), but if performance is an inferior consideration to practicality, safety and interior technology, the Honda Jazz is likely to be a very attractive proposition.