- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.5i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
88kW, 145Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 5.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (CVT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2014)
2018 Honda Jazz VTi-S she says, he says review
- Strong engine
- Spacious interior
- Versatile rear seats
- Expensive
- Lacks safety tech
- Poor infotainment system
He: The Honda Jazz hatch bucks the trend toward baby SUVs, reaching a growing number of customers this year. A popular perception surrounding the Jazz is that it serves as a first new car for novice drivers or a last new car for people at the other end of the experience spectrum – fuss-free, uncomplicated and easy to drive, the Jazz ticks plenty of boxes without reinventing the wheel.
She: Dave, the Honda Jazz would have to be one of the most distinctive city cars. Throughout its evolution, the Jazz has managed to retain its iconic look that arguably isn’t to everyone’s taste. I don’t really like the design but that defining shape cements the Jazz’s reputation as one of the most spacious light cars. I was impressed with how roomy the cabin was.
He: I agree that those mini-MPV looks aren’t the cutest on the road, but they do open the door to a remarkably spacious cabin that represents a real selling point over a Toyota Yaris or Mazda2. There is real versatility to the Jazz – you can jam a surprising amount of cargo in the boot, and its tumbling rear seats also win people over. It also offers plenty of room for passengers in the front and rear.
She: Those folding ‘Magic Seats’ almost quadruple boot space from 354 litres to 1314 litres - it’s nearly comparable to a minivan. While the Jazz outdoes it rivals here, I think it lags in the technology department. This 2018 edition still has no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and the quality of the touchscreen isn’t as crisp. I also struggled trying to connect my iPhone. I think the reverse camera is good and in-built sat nav is another bonus but there are no rear sensors in the VTi-S. That doesn’t bother me too much but the lack of advanced safety equipment - that’s not even available as an extra option - is substandard.
He: The Jazz does show its age in that regard – its infotainment and safety features are a little off the pace. That’s because Honda practically takes an “all or nothing” approach to driver aids, giving you the full Honda Sensing suite in top-grade models, or little else in the way of active safety. The manufacturer says the next all-new Jazz will get the full treatment when it arrives in 2020. You can expect a much sharper touchscreen, too.
This model features a 1.5-litre engine with 88kW and 145Nm outputs that narrowly beats the Yaris and Mazda2, though it doesn’t feel much quicker in the real world. Honda only fits a CVT transmission to the mid-range Jazz, which isn’t quite as sporty to drive as its predecessors. The Jazz doesn’t feel as alert and responsive as best-in-class models, and it also lacks composure over broken surfaces.
She: It’s pretty good to drive during double demerit periods as you certainly won’t get done for speeding, but in fairness that applies to most city cars. It feels light and manoeuvres well in the urban jungle and has a decent turning circle, but I found the Jazz struggled at higher speeds. It seemed unsteady on the freeway and was quite shaky. There was quite a bit of vibration coming through the steering wheel and road noise. The other factor is the Jazz does cost more than some of its rivals.
He: The Jazz VTi-S is a little steep at $19,990 plus on-road costs – if you shop well, you should be able to get a car from the next size up with an automatic transmission for that price. There’s utilitarian charm to Honda’s entry-level model, could you see it in your driveway?
She: It didn’t win me over but it may suit buyers who want a city car with lots of space and flexibility and don’t really care about ‘all that other Jazz’. As a first car for your child, elderly parent - or anyone for that matter - I’d want more safety equipment. Although Honda’s standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty is appealing – as is a limited-time seven-year offer - I don’t think the six-month or 10,000km service intervals will be welcomed.
He: The service intervals aren’t a huge deal to me, particularly in a type of car that might be driven by people less likely to pay attention to things like oil levels and tyre wear. But I agree that the specs aren’t up to scratch – you certainly can get more car for your money.
2018 Honda Jazz VTi-S pricing and specifications:
Price: From $19,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 88kW at 6600rpm
Torque: 145Nm at 4600rpm
Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 5.8L/100km