2021 Honda Jazz

Honda Jazz 2021 Review

If you’re reading this in 2021, know that you may be one of the last few people to buy a Honda Jazz in Malaysia. The current generation is nearing the end of its lifespan here – not to say that it isn’t a fantastic car even by the standards of other vehicles in its class. Its replacement has diverged slightly from the original direction of the Jazz, and in its place will most likely be the Honda City Hatchback.

So before it goes, let’s take a look at what this punchy B-segment hatchback offers and why it has become such a popular choice for buyers over the last eight or so years. The model in question has gone through one facelift back in 2017 that offered a Sport Hybrid variant which has since been discontinued – though it was an interesting proposition that also saw a reasonable amount of take-up.

At its core, the Honda Jazz is your two-box hatchback, with a big emphasis on usability and practicality. It also happens to be popular among enthusiasts of Honda’s racing activities, as the Honda Jazz has a huge amount of aftermarket support and one-make race series.

Honda Jazz 2021 Specifications

Powertrains are simple with the Honda Jazz: you get one, and it’s the L15Z 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, paired with a CVT-type automatic gearbox. Outputs are strong at 120 PS and 145 Nm of torque, putting it pretty high up in the performance pecking order in its class. If you opt for the higher spec V variant you also get paddle shifters to manually control the virtual ratio of the gearbox.

The backbones of the Honda Jazz are similar to the previous generation City – a MacPherson strut front and a torsion beam rear. This simple design may not provide the best ride and handling characteristics, but it does allow the Jazz to provide class-leading rear boot space and overall interior room. The Jazz gives you 363 litres of boot space with the rear bench folded up, and 881 litres with everything dropped.

Dimensions are arguably middle ground for the Jazz, with a wheelbase of 2,530 mm and an overall length of 3,989 mm. The width is a moderate 1,694 mm, as is the height at 1,524 mm. Once again, there has to be emphasis that despite the dimensions, the Jazz provides you with an immense amount of interior space and storage ability.

Honda Jazz 2021 Exterior

With the facelift back in 2017 came a slightly more aggressive look to the Honda Jazz, which also played nicely with the now discontinued Jazz Sport Hybrid. The overall form of the Jazz has been describe as an egg by some, but it isn’t nearly the round pebble-looking shape as its predecessors were. The Jazz is sharp, angular lines from bumper to bumper, with a distinctive set of tail lights that can be spotted from a mile away.

Both the S and E variants get 15-inch alloy wheels while the V variant gets larger 16-inch wheels. Across the range, the door handles are body coloured, and the headlights are halogen units. The E and V variants get daytime running lights, while only the V variant gets turn signals on the wing mirrors.

Honda Jazz 2021 Interior

The party piece of the Honda Jazz interior has to be the rear bench – also known as ULTRA seats – which are capable of folding and flipping in a huge variety of ways, built on a very slim skeleton. The result is a wide range of configurations and balance between space for passengers and space for cargo. Beyond this, the upholstery of the Jazz is fabric for the S and E variants, and a combination of leather and fabric for the top-of-the-line V variant. This is similar to how the V variant gets a leather steering wheel and shift knob, while the S and E make do with urethane.

Other than that, the design and layout of the Honda Jazz is similar to other Honda vehicles with a lot of hidden cubby holes and places to empty out your pockets into. If you have to pick the S variant you will forgo the centre console storage, which can be another black hole into which random knick knacks will disappear into until you do an annual deep clean of your car.

Honda Jazz 2021 Safety Features

Being essentially the same car from nearly a decade ago, it’s a little harder for Honda to implement newer active safety features with the Honda Jazz. The usual suspects are present – dual front SRS airbags across the range, and side airbags for the E and V variants, as well as curtain airbags for the V variant alone.

Unfortunately, that is the extent of safety besides Vehicle Stability Assist – and even then, it isn’t available in the S variant of the Honda Jazz. Hill Start assist and the Emergency Stop Signal are also not present, making it feel as though you are going to be slightly short changed if this were your pick.

Honda Jazz 2021 Strengths and Weaknesses

Space and handling are the two elements of the Honda Jazz that stand out the most. It is almost mind boggling whenever you drop the rear seats and see just how much room you are suddenly afforded for carrying cargo – and when you don’t need that space, you get an impressive amount of legroom as a counterpoint. It may not be as outright airy as some other vehicles on the market, but rarely will you ever feel cramped in a Jazz.

The handling composure is not something most owners may find value in, though it does make the drive a little more pleasant and a little more enjoyable when you’re travelling on longer journeys. Compact hatchbacks make for great nimble cars, easily at home darting through an urban sprawl as it is meandering down a backroad.

Unfortunately for the Honda Jazz, age has finally caught up to it. The interior may not be uncomfortable or cheap, but it doesn’t quite stand up to what the current generation Honda City offers – either in the sedan as it is currently available, or the hatchback if and when it comes in.

Honda Jazz 2021 Price

Pricing for the Honda Jazz has stayed fairly competitive over the years.

• 2021 Honda Jazz entry level S variant price - RM 72,511.54
• 2021 Honda Jazz mid-range E variant price - RM 78,161.82
• 2021 Honda Jazz top spec V variant price - RM 84,955.45

Pricing has never been a discounting factor for the Honda Jazz, and we’ll have to see if anything changes when it is eventually replaced.

Honda Jazz 2021 Features

If there’s one thing that Honda is known for, it is loading up features in their cars as they pass through the mid-point of their life cycle. Part of this is to keep their cars fresh and competitive, while the others are to ensure that vehicles keep flying off the showroom floor – and it’s definitely worked well for them these last few years. The Honda Jazz is no exception, with impressive specifications across the range.

Granted there may not be LED headlights, but LED tail lights are standard across the board – as is keyless entry and start, and at least seven cup holders throughout the vehicle (the entry level S model gets 9!). Manual climate control buttons and dials are present in the S variant, while the E and V get Touch Panel Auto climate control. This is reflected in the audio system as well, with standard audio in the S, and the rest getting a 6.8-icnh display audio unit with HDMI and USB ports, as well as hands-free connectivity.

Limited to the top-spec V variant are power retractable door mirrors, cruise control, the aforementioned paddle shifts, and a six-speaker sound system setup over the regular four-speaker setup.

Honda Jazz 2021 Fuel Consumption

Thanks to the CVT-type automatic transmission and an efficient powertrain, the manufacturer quoted fuel consumption for the Honda Jazz is 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres – which works out to 17.2 kilometres per litre.