Honda Jazz Long Term Review – Second Report

Honda Jazz Long Term Review

Long Term Test No. 98

Car Tested: Honda Jazz i-DTEC
Kms Done: 4563 kms
Test Started at: 6226 kms
Test Concluded at: 10,789 kms
Mileage: 18.5 km/l, 22.4 km/l (best), 14.9 km/l (worst)
Fuel Consumed: 246.64-litres
Fuel Cost: Rs. 13,812/-
Rs. per km: Rs. 3.02/-

The Honda Jazz is a very practical and efficient hatchback which is also powerful and fun to drive

The previous generation Honda Jazz that was launched in India in 2009 wasn’t much of a success story despite being a good car. But, it is the current generation of the premium hatchback that has a lot going for it. I’ve been driving the new Honda Jazz diesel as my long termer since the past 3 months. The car has covered a distance of more than 4500 kms in this period and we’ve used it extensively in the city and on the highways, and here’s what we think about it.

Just like other Honda cars, the Jazz also has an arrow shot design and the styling on this generation is definitely very funky and appealing. The front carries that familiar Honda face with an elongated V grille with a slight dash of chrome. The side profile has a couple of sharp lines which also show the length of the car. The rear looks nice and our test car, which is a VX model, also comes with a large rear spoiler which looks sporty. One thing that I don’t like is that the Jazz comes with very small tyres.

The cabin of the Jazz is large enough for someone to play football inside. The dashboard carries a similar design as the City and the steering wheel is also nice to hold. The front seats are large and supportive. On the equipment front, the car is loaded with dual front airbags, touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, electrically folding and adjustable mirrors, etc. One grouse I have with the touchscreen is that it just doesn’t feel as responsive as it should and Honda definitely needs to work on it. The Jazz also misses out on speed sensing door locks which is a very basic feature in this segment. The AC takes some time to cool the car properly, especially when it has been parked in the heat for a long time, and on most days I ended up using manual adjustment for the temperature.

Things are good at the rear too. The seats are large in size and overall support is very good. Our car also has Magic Seats which means we can fold the seats however we want if we want to carry large luggage items and stuff. There are tons and tons of cubbyholes and storage spaces in the cabin and the Jazz excels when it comes to practicality. The boot is also pretty large and it is bigger than even some compact sedans! However, there is some noticeable cost-cutting on the inside and the quality feels a notch below rivals in certain areas.

The diesel engine is power packed and efficiency is unbeatable in the segment

The Honda Jazz diesel gets the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that also powers the City, Mobilio, Amaze and BR-V. The engine has a good amount of grunt right from the low-end. There is some amount of turbo lag but once you clear it, the car accelerates at a quick pace. However, you don’t get that push-back feeling that the Ford Figo diesel offers. The oil-burner is also extremely fuel efficient and we extracted more than 20 km/l at times. Under regular driving conditions, we got anywhere between 16-20 km/l with a mix of city and highway driving. The clutch is super light and the gearbox is easy to slot too. However, it feels notchy at times.

The ride is nicely sorted and there is very less vertical movement of passengers while travelling. Handling is fun and the steering also offers a lot of feedback. In fact, it is the nature of the steering that makes the Jazz so much entertaining to drive around. Honda has installed thin tyres which aid fuel economy but they offer very poor levels of grip and when you’re driving aggressively on the twisties, you definitely feel the need for bigger and better tyres.

Honda Jazz Service Costs

1. Service Schedule – 10,000 kms and 6 months (whichever is earlier)
2. Cost of Service Per 1,00,000 kms – Rs. 54,635/- (D)
3. Cost of Spares –

* Engine Oil Per Service – Rs. 2079/- (4.2-litres) (D)
* Brake Oil – Rs. 264/- (D)
* Oil Filter – Rs. 425/- (D)
* Fuel Filter – Rs. 1320/- (D)
* Brake Pads (Front) – Rs. 3000/-
* Front Bumper (without painting) – Rs. 2500/- (est.)
* Rear Bumper (without painting) – Rs. 3000/- (est.)
* Headlamp Assembly (Each) – Rs. 3500/- (est.)
* Tail Lamp Assembly (Each) – Rs. 4000/- (est.)

All the parts’ prices are MRP Delhi and labour includes Service Tax : 15%

The Honda Jazz has proved to be a reliable as well as a fun to drive car and we have definitely enjoyed it in its duration with us. It has been really light on the pocket to run this car and Honda also has pretty decent service here. The Jazz feels a bit overpriced for what it offers but you cannot deny the fact that it also quite engaging to drive and offers a hassle-free ownership experience.

What’s Cool

* Looks very sporty and the orange shade is youthful
* The 1.5-litre i-DTEC mill is powerful and frugal
* The Jazz has a very involving-to-drive nature
* The steering is well weighed

What’s Not So Cool

* Build quality on the inside feels below average
* Puny tyres lack grip
* Misses out on features present in hatchbacks half its price

Testers’ Note:

Further Reading –

Honda Jazz Long Term Review – Second Report
Honda Jazz Review
Honda Jazz vs Hyundai Elite i20
Honda Jazz vs Maruti Baleno vs Hyundai Elite i20