The all-new Fit or Jazz currently on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, with prominent changes on the fascia and cabin features but has kept its old shape. PHOTOS WITH THE CANON G16 CAMERA BY JONG ARCANO
While the announcement for the all-new Honda Jazz has all but been made official locally, the current model is still very highly capable and remains as one of my favorite cars to drive. Such is its ingenious mix of utility, versatility and small exterior dimensions coupled with a very roomy interior, literally electric steering and a suspension I could rave on for hours about, it’s no wonder that to this day, since the previous model’s introduction in 2004, it has been the aspirational compact vehicle and a benchmark which no other vehicle has been able to touch. The driving is incomparable to anything in its segment, the controls perfectly weighted yet keen and sensitive. For enthusiasts, aftermarket support is also extensive: carbon bits for both the interior and exterior, wheels, tires and suspension upgrades, from bolt-on engine performance to forged internals and a turbo kit, the Jazz does indeed have it all.
In fact, in the past, I’ve been accused of being nothing but a Honda salesman in disguise writing for the media (Sorry guys, I actually don’t own a Honda. But I have two Toyotas and a Mitsubishi pickup), blindly recommending the car brand to anyone who asks about the ideal vehicle in the small car segment. Well, before I moved out and got married, we’ve been a proud owner of both Honda Jazz generations, and my entire family loved it.
Every time I drive a B-segment car that is a competitor, I end up comparing it to the Jazz. Some which have come close are the Ford Fiesta, the Suzuki Swift for its dynamic abilities, the Hyundai Accent CRD for its straight-line punch and roomy interior, and the Toyota Yaris (which I own) for its vast aftermarket support. But none of these competitors have the Jazz’s completeness, with its overall package truly impressive and unmatched.
To dissect the strengths and weaknesses of the Jazz versus its competitors, I’m often asked what the Jazz’s advantages are. Versus the Fiesta’s sportiness, the Jazz has a tough match her, though the Fiesta has a much smaller boot and entry to the back seats isn’t as easy as the Jazz. This is important for the elderly and young families with babies as it is easier and safer to get in and out. The current Swift is a JDM-made vehicle but in local 1.4 guise, and doesn’t have enough power to run against the Jazz in a straight line and the pulling power to match when fully loaded and going up a mountain pass.
As for the impressive Accent CRDi, the Accent’s suspension feels wobbly at speed, less confident; you can hear the underpinnings clonk and jostle through the rough stuff. Plus the chassis lacks the solidity and firmness you’d expect an amazingly fast and quick car should have. And the Yaris? Well, I own one so I can firmly say that in stock trim, the Yaris lacks the power, the boot space and the dynamic reflexes the Jazz has in spades. Any more questions and arguments?
A quick look at the specs shows nothing too different from the pack: a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine that packs 118 horsepower and 145 Newton-meters of torque powering the front wheels through a five-speed automatic, with paddle shifters behind the handsome three-spoke steering wheel, dual airbags up front with ABS-EBD brakes, stylish 16-inch wheels with low-profile rubber and a ride-height that’s a perfect balance of looks and functionality.
Inside, you have the ingenious ULT seats which fold flat to the floor. A schoolmate of mine from college packs a full-size go-kart complete with spares inside his Jazz whenever he has to transport it, and with no problems. Can you think of any other small car that has that ability? I’ve used it to bring family and friends to the airport with suitcases for a monthlong trip abroad (three trips in fact), and everything always fits with room to spare. How about the time I used the Jazz to carry my spare Toyota 2JZ-GTE engine block? Or six pieces of 18-inch wheels with tires mounted on them? The Honda Jazzes we had were used really hard but were taken care of properly, with regular periodic maintenance service at the dealership, fed by the finest fully synthetic engine oils (a mix of Royal Purple, HKS Oils and Motul). Proper maintenance plays a key part in keeping any vehicle reliable for the long haul.
In the driver’s seat, everything is focused towards the driver yet detracts nothing from the driving experience. USB and AUX-IN for the CD-tuner make for great connectivity, and the seats have impressive support while being comfortable enough for long drives. The steering wheel is perfectly weighted and responsive without being nervous even at illegal high speeds (Don’t ask). With an easy 10-kilometer-per-liter in-city driving in traffic, plus an equally easy 15-kpl highway driving at real-world driving conditions (based on my experience, and I do have a big, 11.5 EE and heavy right foot), you can have your cake and eat it too.
So what is the purpose of this article? In a way, I’m thankful for the Honda Jazz. It opened up my mind to the fact that small, light cars can be truly fun without the need for massively powerful engines and equally massive tires and superfirm, race car-like suspension. Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus, used to say that you should “add lightness” to the car. Well, if a car is light to begin with —such as the Jazz, which barely weighs over a ton—it makes the job easier.
The Jazz also helped me immensely with my car life, buying and bringing parts to and from places, and it helped me save a substantial amount in fuel expenses. Sure, it’s expensive—more than everything else in its class. But its uniqueness andsupremacy in this segment truly demand a premium. This also means that the Jazz is just beyond a lot of other people’s affordability (starting at P752,000 for the 1.3 manual all the way to P1.077 million for the Modulo-equipped 1.5 A/T). And yet despite news of a new one coming out soon, you won’t be disappointed if you buy the current one, whether right away, or two or five years from now. It’s that good.
Having said that, I do hope the third-generation Jazz doesn’t spiral out of control cost-wise. And having said that, I do hope the third-generation Jazz truly moves the goalpost forward, in keeping with its legacy and tradition. I have high expectations for the third-generation Jazz, as it has very big shoes to fill. We will see how it goes in 18 to 24 months.
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