With the new Jazz Honda is looking to attract more customers who want a more economical car but without compromising too much in the way of space and comfort. Honda UK said this week the new Jazz will build on the 66 per cent customer retention rate. Initially 62 per cent of Jazz sales will go to retail buyers but in time the fleet sector is expected to increase its share as smaller more tax and fuel efficient company cars are required, hence the plan to manufacturer the new Jazz in the UK. The NHS (National Health Service) is a major fleet buyer of Jazz models for their home-visit Midwife and Nursing services.
Typically the Jazz, first launched in the UK in 2002, has appealed to the discerning affluent and older retail customers and the age profile of owners is 63 years. However with the move by the UK market to smaller and more fuel efficient cars, Honda UK hopes the latest Jazz is likely to hit the right note for younger customers as well.
The Jazz is Honda UK's second best selling range after the C-segment Civic and has consistently accounted for just under 30 per cent of Honda's annual UK sales but it is now likely that this will increase. The Jazz has been in the top three of the best selling retail models in the B-segment (supermini) since 2004, beaten only by the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa but ahead of rivals such as the VW Polo and Toyota Yaris.

The outgoing model excelled with its clever passenger accommodation and load carrying packaging. The new Jazz is even better. There's greater versatility with easier-to-use, one-motion Magic Seats and an innovative new Double-Trunk (on 1.4-litre models) with a clever suspended netting section in the load area. There is also increased cabin space. The folding rear seats can easily be dropped down to create a completely flat load floor without having to take out the rear head restraints first.
The interior trim of Jazz always set high standards in the B-sector; hence it was liked by customers who appreciate quality and refinement. The new model takes this a step further, with a more contemporary cabin design, and the use of high quality materials and trim. Being a small car doesn't necessarily mean sparse - there's a comprehensive equipment list, including iPod connectivity for younger users.
All models are well equipped but the best value for money is the ES specification which includes as standard such items as 15-inch alloy wheels, vehicle stability assist, electric power steering, front and side airbags, air conditioning, four electrically operated side windows, electric operated and heated door mirrors, on-board computer, Magic Seat and flexible two tier boot systems, 60/40 folding rear seat with fold away head restraints, tilt and reach adjustable steering, height adjustable drivers' seat and remote central locking.
A word of warning, not all Jazz models have vehicle stability assist as standard and none have a spare wheel as standard, only a repair kit. I'd advise all buyers to opt for the £90 optional space-saver spare wheel and tyre.
Arriving at a time of rising motoring costs and declines in the home budget to buy and run a car, the latest Jazz offers a range of lively economical new 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines which will appeal to the increasing number of cost-conscious motorists and downsizers.
In place of the two-valve i-DSI technology used in the previous Jazz, the latest range is powered by newly-developed four-valve i-VTEC petrol engines - a 90PS 1.2-litre and 100PS 1.4-litre engine. Both deliver lively performance with increased power and torque and impressive fuel economy. They are both impressively quiet, especially at tickover and from inside the car they just cannot be heard.
A capacity of 1198cc makes the new 1.2-litre engine slightly smaller than its predecessor yet power rises from 77 to 90PS at 6,000rpm. Similarly, torque increases from 110Nm to 114Nm at 4,900rpm. Take-off acceleration is improved as well as acceleration in higher gears, so it's nippy enough for city driving.
However, fuel efficiency is the jewel in the crown for the 1.2-litre engine, which achieves an exceptional 53.3mpg (combined), while CO2 emissions are also improved at 125g/km.

In testing this week on busy roads around the Thames Valley towns of Marlow and Henley and winding country lanes my car returned 57.5mpg. Compared to the 1.4-litre unit it is a little slower for acceleration and hills marginally take their toll on speed but impressed - I certainly was.
Road tax for both engines is currently £120 a year but it is proposed that from April next year these CO2 levels will fall into a new Band D costing just £90.
It's a similar story with the new 1.4-litre engine. Compared to the previous i-DSI unit which produced 83 PS and 119Nm, power is up to 100PS at a slightly higher 6,000rpm and torque is 127Nm at 4,800rpm, with improved fuel economy now 52.3mpg (combined) for the ES and 51.4mpg (combined) for the EX manual models.

CO2 exhaust emissions are 128g/km for the ES and 130g/km for the EX grade. My test model, a 1.4 ES which is the likely best selling version, returned no less than 61.7mpg, same route, same type of driving, same conditions as the Jazz 1.2. A fantastic real-life driving result. The 1.4-litre engine provides that little better acceleration and copes with hills more easily and this improves the fuel economy.
I also tried this model with the i-Shift automated 6-speed manual transmission and over the same course the fuel economy dropped to 51mpg. Although the semi-automatic gearbox is much improved over the previous CVT type, it dulls performance and has to be pushed harder up hills and for overtaking power, hence the fall off in fuel economy although official figures say it is more economical. Not so in real life I'm afraid.