The Honda Jazz is a supermini in a crowded market but unlike many other cars in this segment, it has a unique selling point. It’s the most practical car of its type, with a big boot and versatile seating. You may well be surprised at how much space there is on board.
Most other superminis are more fun to drive, admittedly – the Jazz is rather slow and needs to be worked hard, although it is comfortable and economical. And there are plenty that have more stylish interiors, or a more upmarket and, dare we say it, youthful image. Yet the Jazz holds more appeal than many when buying used, as it’s reliable and practical.
Of course, reliability comes as a result of careful maintenance, but the Jazz has a reputation for being really dependable. You can thank Honda’s engineering, of course, but the typical Jazz owner, who is generally a bit older and more sensible, takes care of their Jazz well. To put it a different way, that’s great news for future owners.
It’s not too difficult to find a used Jazz that’s in almost as good condition as it was when new, and has been serviced regularly. If the proper maintenance is done the Jazz should be very reliable. Low running costs are another great feature of the little Honda.
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In 2020 a new version with a hybrid powertrain arrived, featuring many of the same features including the fantastic versatile seating, yet with many more modern touches. Honda also introduced a Jazz Crosstar version with a more rugged look and a higher ride height, to take on the Ford Fiesta Active and Dacia Sandero Stepway.
The Magic Seats, as Honda calls them, in the rear are a proper selling point. These seats fold forwards like normal, but the seat bases can also flip up like cinema seats, which lets you carry items behind the front seats while keeping the boot sectioned off. It’s great for animals, or tall items that might need to remain upright.
Models covered
- Honda Jazz Mk3 (2015-2020) – Supermini that offers plenty of versatility for the used buyer. Here’s how to find the best on the market.
History
The Jazz Mk3 reached UK showrooms in September 2015. It had a 1.3-litre petrol engine and three trim levels, each of which could be specified with a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic – the latter at a price premium. The Jazz brought a raft of new driver-assistance technologies plus a new infotainment system with internet-browsing capabilities.
In February 2018 a facelifted version hit the road. Alongside updates to the exterior styling there was now a new 1.5-litre engine option, although this was available only in Sport form; the model line-up otherwise continued as before. The Sport was based on the SE, but added a rear spoiler and side skirts, LED headlights, gloss-black alloys, pinstriped fabric for the seats plus a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob. Honda didn’t sell an awful lot of Jazz Sport models, so they’re rarer on the second-hand market.
Which one should I buy?
Whereas Honda offered a hybrid version of the Jazz Mk2, the Mk3 simply got 1.3 or 1.5-litre petrol engines. Even the bigger unit isn’t especially muscular, and because it came only in Sport form, we’d opt for one of the high-spec 1.3 EX editions in either manual or CVT form.
The Jazz S has 15-inch steel wheels, a DAB radio, a multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, electrically adjustable door mirrors, auto emergency braking, automatic headlights and wipers, air-con, cruise control, powered windows front and rear, remote central locking and stop-start.
Move up to the SE and you’ll get 15-inch alloys, a seven-inch touchscreen, front and rear parking sensors, plus electrically heated and retractable door mirrors. The EX adds 16-inch rims, privacy glass, rear parking camera, climate control and keyless go.
Alternatives to the Honda Jazz
Although the Jazz is Honda’s supermini contender, its sheer versatility means it’s really more of a micro-MPV. As a result, its closest rival is arguably the Vauxhall Meriva, which is well equipped and has added practicality with its rear-hinged back doors. The Ford B-MAX is another rival, and its sliding back doors also offer extra usability; if you don’t need this, the Fiesta is a brilliant alternative because it’s so readily available, well equipped and great to drive.
The Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia are all related to each other, and each is very desirable. Meanwhile, the Peugeot 208, Vauxhall Corsa and Renault Clio are all good value, plentiful and practical – they’re just not as usable or as versatile as the Jazz. The Kia Rio is worth mentioning for its seven-year warranty and reliability, as well.
What to look for
Security
Whereas the Jazz SE and the Jazz EX come with an alarm as standard, the base-spec Jazz S features only an immobiliser.
Servicing
Honda offers various transferable pre-paid servicing packages, so look out for cars that come with one to get more for your money. If you can’t find one, we’d recommend taking out a service plan if you’re going to have the car serviced at a main dealer, to prevent unexpected bills.
Spare tyre
The Jazz doesn’t come as standard with a spare wheel, but you can fit a space-saver into the well in the boot floor if you purchase one.
Spec levels
As well as the standard trims, the Jazz was also available in SE Navi and EX Navi editions, which had sat-nav included on them as standard.
Interior
Those ingenious rear seats and the spacious boot are the Jazz’s headline acts when it comes to the cabin. With the back seats in place a useful 384 litres can be accommodated – more than a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus. But fold down the seats (and unlike most rivals, they fold completely flat, at the pull of a lever), and the capacity jumps to an extremely impressive 1,314 litres. This capacity is complemented by the Jazz’s low load lip, which makes getting large or heavy items in and out as easy as possible.
Cubbyhole space could be better, however, and while the dashboard design is clear and the cabin build quality very good throughout, the dash and infotainment both look a bit dated. The latter, meanwhile, isn’t quite as slick as the systems found on some rivals.
Prices
See the latest used Honda Jazz prices on our sister site BuyaCar.
Running costs
The Jazz Mk3 needs to be serviced every 12,500 miles or 12 months. The first service costs around £235 and is simply an oil and filter change along with a visual inspection of the car’s major functions. The second service is priced at £310 and includes replacement dust and pollen filters, plus new fluid for the CVT if fitted.
The third service costs around £290 and includes fresh brake fluid and a new air filter. Once a Jazz is three years old, it’s eligible for cheaper maintenance, with alternating minor and major services marketed as Honda 12 and Honda 12+ at £180 and £290 respectively. The minor service is an oil and filter change plus an inspection, while Honda 12+ includes replacement air and pollen filters plus new brake fluid. The chain-driven engine means there’s no cambelt to replace.
Recalls
You can see whether any Honda that you’re thinking of buying is still subject to recall work, by checking its VIN (vehicle identification number) online. However, you won’t need to see whether any Jazz Mk3 is in need of remedial work, because so far there haven’t been any recalls for this generation of the supermini.
All of the Jazz’s predecessors have been the subject of several recalls, though, and for the Mk2 most of these related to airbag glitches; Honda was badly affected by the Takata airbag scandal, which could see occupants injured by shrapnel projected at high speed in the event of a crash. The most recent Jazz Mk2 caught up in these various campaigns was made in May 2015, so by the time the Mk3 was launched the problem had been fixed.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
A 33rd placing out of 75 cars in the 2021 Driver Power satisfaction survey is a 24-place jump on 2020, and very impressive bearing in mind the Mk3 has now been replaced, while 42nd out of 100 in last year’s used car poll is reasonable. Performance, visibility and ride quality get the thumbs down; the high spots are cabin versatility, interior and exterior quality plus low running costs.
Keyword: Used Honda Jazz review: Mk2 (2008-2015) | |