2018 Honda Jazz Facelift Review
Car Tested: 2018 Honda Jazz Facelift; Road Test No. 962
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 8.61 – Rs. 11.08 lakhs
The Jazz facelift comes with mild cosmetic changes but new features on offer
It was the Honda Jazz that kicked off the premium hatchback segment in India and it was one of those cars that didn’t sell well because it was launched much ahead of its time and our market wasn’t really ready for such cars. With the launch of the new Jazz in 2015, the premium hatchback got a fair bit of attention from buyers and raked up decent enough sales. 3 years after this generation’s launch, Honda has now come up with a very minor update to the car which isn’t really a proper facelift but more of a variant rejig. What is the 2018 Honda Jazz all about, we tell you.
Motor Quest: The Honda Jazz is also known as Honda Fit in the international markets. It was launched in India in its second generation, which didn’t do quite well in terms of sales. Honda launched the new generation in 2015 that picked up some pace thanks to the acceptance of the premium hatchback segment in the Indian car market by then.
The most significant change on this Jazz is the LED tail light cluster
Exteriors – The 2018 Honda Jazz looks pretty much the same as the outgoing model. Sadly the globally sold car gets an exterior update but the Indian car doesn’t. The only changes on the exterior are the chrome handles, turn indicators on ORVMs and rear LED wing lights which too are offered only with the V and VX variants. Other than that, the Jazz’s styling remains unchanged including the alloy wheel design. The interior is where all the change has happened, so let’s get straight to it.
The new infotainment system adds to the convenience
Interiors – Unlike the exteriors, the interiors of the new Honda Jazz get a bit of an update and added equipment. Like the Honda City, the interior of the Jazz is simple, functional and comfortable for a family of four. The dashboard gets a dual-tone, black and beige colour option, both of which look decent. The dual-tone interior with the beige colour gives the Jazz a more airy feel. There’s a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Other features include automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel with cruise control, push-button start, electrically foldable and adjustable ORVMs, instrument cluster with MID display, front armrest, rear parking camera and parking sensors. The rear seats two people comfortably, though a third person is always welcome. The beige seats and door lining gives the car a roomy feel.
The 1.2-litre petrol engine doesn’t feel that punchy in performance
Performance – No mechanical changes have been made to the 2018 Honda Jazz. It is powered by the same set of engines and unfortunately the Japanese automaker isn’t offering a CVT gearbox with the diesel engine. The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, i-VTEC unit producing 89 HP at 6000 RPM and 110 Nm at 4800 RPM. This engine feels quite underpowered with below average low-end performance. In the mid-range, the engine starts opening up a bit but most of the action lies only near the redline. Out on the highways, a fair number of gearshifts are required if you want to gather pace quickly or while overtaking. The manual gearbox is slick and the clutch is light while the CVT, though noisy, is super convenient and a good choice for people who want an AT. The Jazz petrol isn’t exactly fuel efficient and you can expect 9-12 km/l from the petrol variants.
The diesel engine offers good performance and efficiency
Our pick of the lot is the diesel engine that offers better performance
The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre i-DTEC unit that makes 99 HP at 3600 RPM and 200 Nm at 1750 RPM. This comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox. There are no noticeable changes to the NVH levels and the engine continues to feel noisy. Drivability with the oil-burner is very good and turbo lag is manageable and the Jazz delivers power linearly in the mid-range but starts tapering off before 4000 RPM. It doesn’t run out of steam on the highways too and the 6th gear is also a huge boon while you’re cruising. With the diesel variant, expect fuel efficiency to hover between 17-21 km/l.
The high speed stability of the Jazz is impressive
Driving Dynamics – The suspension is slightly on the stiffer side and while high speed ride is very good, at low speeds some sharp undulations manage to filter inside the cabin. High speed stability is very good and while the Jazz has some body roll, it is well contained. The steering is light enough for city driving and out on the highways it weighs up decently offering good feedback too. Braking performance is good but the tyre grip isn’t that great and the small rubber tends to loose grip if you push the car hard.
The standard safety features on offer is a good move by Honda
Safety and After Sales Service – The safety package too has got an upgrade on the new Honda Jazz. Dual airbags, rear parking sensors, rear windshield defogger, speed sensing door unlock and ABS with EBD come as standard across all the variants. The top variant in addition gets a reverse camera with guidelines. Honda has really upped the safety game on the Jazz which is a good thing. In terms of after sales, Honda’s badge is known for its reliability and the Jazz is a pocket friendly hatch to run when it comes to service costs.
The only noticeable change on the exterior
Verdict – The Honda Jazz is a very good premium hatchback but we feel it could have done with some more updates because the design has started to feel a bit dated now. Competition in this segment is very tough and that’s a cause of concern for the Jazz. However, in things like space and practicality it is hard to beat this vehicle. The Honda Jazz diesel makes a very good choice for people who want power and efficiency at the same time without compromising on cabin space.
The Jazz is the roomiest car in its segment
What’s Cool
* Additional features add to the convenience
* Lots of room inside for passengers, bottles and lugguage
* The diesel engine performs well and is efficient too
* Paddle shifters on offer with the CVT petrol variant
What’s Not So Cool
* Very limited changes to the facelift
* Petrol engine feels underpowered
Alternatives: Hyundai Elite i20, Maruti Baleno, Volkswagen Polo
This is the new colour on offer in the 2018 Honda Jazz
Further Reading –
2015 Honda Jazz Review
2015 Honda Jazz vs Hyundai Elite i20
Honda Jazz Celebration Drive
Honda Jazz Long Term Review
Honda Jazz Pros & Cons
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