Honda Jazz - TopCarNews

Honda Jazz (2020 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Honda Jazz is a five-door supermini-class small hatchback. This model was launched in the summer of 2020, with the only engine option being a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid.

The Jazz is also available as a faux off-road version called the Jazz Crosstar, which sits a little bit higher and has big grey plastic trim pieces but is no better at crossing the Sahara than an ordinary Jazz.

As of January 2022, the Honda Jazz has an overall Expert Rating of 65%, which puts it right in the middle of a large and very competitive field of small cars. It has been praised for its practicality, with more room for both passengers and luggage than similarly sized rivals. The hybrid system also makes it economical for urban driving.

The regular Jazz usually scores better than the Crosstar when tested separately.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatchEngines: petrol/electric hybrid
Price: From £19,045 on-road

Launched: Summer 2020Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Honda Jazz

Honda Jazz Crosstar

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid EX“The Honda Jazz has carved its own niche in being the ultra practical option in this segment that will massively appeal to those who aren’t passionate about their mode of transport. It’s the ultimate head-over-heart supermini.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Honda Jazz supermini delivers practicality, excellent fuel economy and improved on-board tech, but cheaper rivals could prove tempting.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic CrosstarScore: 6 / 10“With a higher price point and only a modest increase in kit, the Honda Jazz Crosstar really is a case of image over substance. It’s slightly less efficient than the regular Jazz and despite the increased size, boot capacity takes a hit as well.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Part supermini, part pint-sized people carrier, the Honda Jazz remains a master of useful interior space and flexibility. New from 2020 are the standard hybrid powertrain, and addition of the Jazz Crosstar to the range.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“However dry and sensible its character may be, the Honda Jazz deserves credit for its persistent pragmatism and utility value, and it will continue to stand out in a class dominated by cars of much less rational qualities.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic Crosstar EXScore: 7 / 10“The appeal of the Honda Jazz range has been broadened in the most Jazz-like of ways in this new Crosstar version. The baby hasn’t been thrown out with the bathwater in its creation, meaning all the good (and bad) of the standard car remains, with a little bit of extra rugged appeal thrown in.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-lite petrol-electric hybrid automatic EXScore: 7 / 10“There are few, if any, surprises in this new Jazz, just a series of mostly pleasing improvements. The car won’t win many new customers, it being a stickler for said improvements rather than innovation, but Honda Jazz buyers – and there remain plenty of them – wouldn’t want it any other way.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid SRScore: 8 / 10“All versions of the Honda Jazz get the full suite of safety features – refreshing on a small car – including a new centre airbag between the driver and front passenger, which will ultimately become mandatory.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Jazz is peak Honda. Full of clever solutions for its customers, whether they live in a city and need maximum interior versatility in a car that fits in a tiny parking space, or simply want an economical car that’s easy but not punitively boring to drive. It deserves your admiration if you like engineering.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid CrosstarScore: 8 / 10“If you like your supermini to wear chunkier and more rugged styling, then the addition of this Crosstar variant to the Honda Jazz range will be appreciated. It retains all the charm of the standard car – its unique interior, efficiency and impressive powertrain, but adds extra visual flair.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Fundamentally, the Honda Jazz remains similar to before. It’s still the safe, sensible and practical choice that its loyal buyers love. Not everything needs to be as ‘sporty’ or ‘dynamic’ as possible, and the Jazz continues to keep its own little segment of the market – carving out a niche for itself. “
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“The quirky Honda Jazz is even smoother and cheaper to run with a hybrid powertrain”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Honda Jazz is designed to be easy to live with thanks to its great space and practicality. It’s a shame it looks expensive next to other small cars, though.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: EX“Some obvious and well-executed improvements, especially with the cabin, combine with a good hybrid powertrain offering decent running costs to make the Honda Jazz a clever and efficient small car.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric Crosstar EX“Visibility in the new Honda Jazz hatchback is much improved, thanks to a wider windscreen and much thinner pillars. The Crosstar variant has a reduced size SUV-style that is more flexible, funky and practical than the standard version. This is my favourite.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: CrosstarScore: 6 / 10“To those of you who have had a string of Jazzes and are considering moving up to this generation, I’d really recommend a go in the Crosstar version.”
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Eurekar

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid EX“The Honda Jazz’s interior is minimalist yet classy. The central touchscreen and seven-inch digital instrument cluster are simple and easy to read. Interestingly, in response to consumer demand, Honda has reinstated physical controls for heating and ventilation underneath the touchscreen.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Crosstar“It’s surprising just how often the Honda Jazz Crosstar runs on purely electric in town and city as you purr around in silence. It’s only when you put your right foot down really hard, or are driving on the motorway, that you notice that power is also coming from the engine.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: Hybrid“Pleasingly, the Jazz marks a return to form for Honda and the Hybrid is comfortably better than the competition it faces today. However, that comes at a price premium and there are compelling new rivals en route that may dull its shine.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: CrosstarScore: 6 / 10“The standard Honda Jazz is an excellent car, with low running costs and a versatile interior. The Jazz Crosstar builds on that with rugged styling and some extra equipment as standard. Its oddity factor gives it some appeal but, in truth, its relatively high price tag makes it difficult to justify.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“No one ever regretted buying a Honda Jazz. It’s the sort of car that’ll continue to surprise you with its practicality, reliability and frugal fuel economy. The latest model is more appealing than ever, thanks to a modern cabin and clever hybrid engine setup.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“If you’re looking for a versatile small car that won’t cost a fortune to run, the new hybrid Honda Jazz is a brilliant option. It’s more appealing than ever before, thanks to fresh new looks and a revamped interior. On the downside, it’s a little expensive, and the hybrid setup won’t appeal to everyone.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“Versatile, grown-up hatchback gains hybrid tech”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: “The Honda Jazz is a well thought out, perfectly executed sensible that makes life simple.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Flawed, but could prove to be one of the more satisfying superminis/compact crossovers long-term.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid EXScore: 6 / 10“If you already own a Honda Jazz and are looking at replacing it, this will be automotive catnip. If you aren’t already a Jazz aficionado, there’s not a lot here to convince you to to get the latest one unless you really like the fuel savings and the engineering.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Unbelievably roomy, versatile, and easy to recommend. But would you want one yourself? That’s a harder question…”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Score: 10 / 10“The Honda Jazz is the small car to beat for passenger space, and its unique and incredibly flexible rear seating only adds to its practicality.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Hatchback range“The Honda Jazz is an easy-to-drive package that delivers on practicality and flexibility. The hybrid power system works well, and although it’s neither the most refined or most fun-to-drive car, it’s pretty economical. Safety and equipment levels are strong suits, too, helping to earn it a Best Buy.”
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Model reviewed: Crosstar range“If you fancy a small SUV but don’t want to sacrifice big-car space, the Honda Jazz Crosstar could be the car for you. Passengers have oodles of room, and the generous boot offers excellent flexibility. While the Crosstar may not be the most fun-to-drive or refined car in its class, it’s safe, economical and very well equipped.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2020

87%

ADULT OCCUPANT

83%

CHILD OCCUPANT

80%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

76%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Model tested:
Date tested: July 2021

6.7 / 10

CLEAN AIR INDEX

7 / 10

ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDEX

5.6 / 10

GREENHOUSE GAS INDEX

Read full Green NCAP review

Three-and-a-half stars

The Honda Jazz was awarded a 3.5-star eco rating from Green NCAP in July 2021. Green NCAP said: “The Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid represents the latest in petrol-hybrid and diesel technologies, and performs well.

“It achieves high scores for Energy Efficiency and also does very well for Clean Air. The Greenhouse Gas Index is the weakest of the three areas of assessment, but the Honda emerges with a solid 3½ star rating.”

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Honda jazz has received

2022

What Car? Awards – Best Small Car

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