Honda may have discontinued the Fit in North America after the 2020 model year, but the clever hatch lives on for the rest of the world where it’s sold as the Jazz and this week, a European specification 2022 Jazz Crosstar e:HEV joined the Carscoops fleet so we will be examining how practical a car can get in the small segment.
While it looks like a mixture of a minivan and an SUV, the Honda Jazz Crosstar is still classified as a subcompact or as they call it in Europe, a supermini, judging from the fact it is 4,090 mm (161 inches) long.
The fourth-generation Honda Jazz / Fit was introduced in 2019 in two distinct flavors – the regular model, which is kind of cute, and the more rugged looking, SUV-inspired Crosstar. While the latter comes with a hefty price tag, we opted for the adventurous looks which are always more popular with buyers these days. Our main goal with this review is to see how well the Jazz Crosstar stacks up against the competition, which includes many different models in this price range.
Besides the plastic cladding all around the bodywork and the larger grille, the Crosstar benefits from a new suspension setup offering an increased ground clearance of 152 mm (6 inches). This gives the driver some extra confidence to leave the tarmac, although the Jazz Crosstar is an FWD-only affair in Europe, unlike Japan where it is also offered with optional AWD.
European buyers can only get the Jazz with Honda’s e:HEV hybrid powertrain which uses the dual-motor i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) technology. Under the bonnet, there is a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 97 hp (72 kW / 97 PS) and 131 Nm (97 lb-ft) of torque, and two electric motors with one of them producing 107 hp (80 kW / 109 PS) and 253 Nm (187 lb-ft) of torque.
Every Jazz / Fit generation featured a spacious cabin focused on practicality and the latest model takes it to the next level offering segment-leading space. The signature “Magic Seats” can either lift upright creating a massive loading area, or fold flat to make the most of the cargo space. We will be testing the aforementioned features in small trips outside the city and see how much stuff and passengers we will be able to carry without an issue. In terms of technology, there is a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and plenty of standard ADAS which is a must given Honda’s premium pricing.
The Honda Jazz is available in Europe, Japan, China (Guangqi Honda / Dongfeng Honda), Singapore, and South Africa among other markets. Honda decided not to bring this generation of the Fit Stateside since sales of its predecessor were declining. Whether your country gets the Jazz / Fit or not, feel free to send us your questions in the comments section below and we will make sure we answer all of them.
Keyword: We’re Driving The Honda Jazz Crosstar e:HEV, The Fit We Didn’t Get In The US, Ask Us Anything