Honda Jazz e:HEV.
The all-new Honda Jazz is now officially in Singapore.
This fourth-generation supermini is available in three variants: 1.5 Base, 1.5 Home and 1.5 Luxe e:HEV. The latter is a petrol-electric hybrid.
Prices currently start from $95,999.
COMPLETELY REDESIGNED
Though the latest Honda Jazz has been redesigned from the ground up, its overall shape will be familiar to many. It continues to have a short-nose and cab-forward stance.
To improve outward visibility, Honda designers reduced the A-pillars’ thickness by more than half. They also expanded the front windscreen’s field of vision from 69 degrees to 90 degrees.
The rest of the Jazz’s cabin is designed around a minimalist theme. Honda claims that the hatchback’s comfort, practicality, and usefulness have also been improved.
For instance, the seats’ padding thickness is now 30mm thicker than before. The seats’ all have a newly developed body stabilising seat frame as well. Soft-touch materials are used throughout the interior.
Infotainment is presented through a 9-inch touchscreen display, which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
The new Honda Jazz now also has a wider tailgate opening to help facilitate the loading and unloading of bulky items.
HONDA JAZZ – DRIVETRAINS
Both the Honda Jazz Base and Home models are powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine. It produces 119hp (121PS) and 145Nm, and is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Honda did not provide performance figures, but stated the models’ combined consumption to be 17.5km/L.
Also available is the Honda Jazz e:HEV, a petrol-electric hybrid. It is quipped with the same 1.5-litre unit, along with two electric motors, which are in turn powered by a lithium-ion battery.
Delivering 124hp and 253Nm, the Jazz e:HEV can supposedly cover up to 26.3km per litre of unleaded.
The Honda Jazz e:HEV has three drive modes: EV, Hybrid and Engine. In EV mode, the Jazz is solely propelled by the electric motors. This setting is automatically engaged during deceleration, so as to harvest the energy from regenerative braking.
Meanwhile, in Hybrid mode, the engine powers the electric generator motor, which then powers the electric propulsion motor. Excess power from the engine is used to recharge the lithium-ion battery.
In Engine Drive, the petrol engine is the primary powerplant. It is supplemented by an on-demand peak power boost by the two electric motors.
NVH AND SAFETY
The Honda Jazz is claimed to deliver a more refined ride, thanks to the reduction in NVH (noise, vibration, harshness). Noise intrusion, in particular, is now 10% less compared to the previous Jazz.
Engineers utilised several solutions to realise these improvements. Apart from the use of thicker glass, the cabin and the floor panel are now separated.
Honda Sensing, which is standard in the Honda Jazz e:HEV, comes with Adaptive Cruise Control.
Sound insulation has been added around the dashboard, and and the engine mounts now feature a resin material, helping insulate the engine bay.
Honda Sensing, the brand’s suite of safety features, is standard in the Honda Jazz e:HEV. It offers four features: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation and Collision Mitigation Braking System.
SPECIFICATIONS
Honda Jazz Base 1.5 and Home 1.5 (A)
ENGINE 1498cc, 16-valves, inline-4
MAX POWER 119hp (89kW, 121PS) at 6600rpm
MAX TORQUE 145Nm at 4300rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 106.8hp per tonne (Base), 106.3hp per tonne (Home)
GEARBOX CVT
0-100KM/H Not available
TOP SPEED Not available
CONSUMPTION 17.5km/L (combined)
Honda Jazz Luxe e:HEV 1.5 (A)
ENGINE 1498cc, 16-valves, inline-4 and two electric motors
TOTAL SYSTEM POWER 124.3hp (92.7kW, 126PS) at 3500-8000rpm
TOTAL SYSTEM TORQUE 253Nm at 0-3000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 101.9hp per tonne
GEARBOX CVT
0-100KM/H Not available
TOP SPEED Not available
CONSUMPTION 26.3km/L
VARIANTS AND PRICING
The Honda Jazz is available in three variants from official agent Kah Motor.
Jazz 1.5 Base – From $95,999 (no VES rebate/surcharge)
Jazz 1.5 Home – From $98,999 (no VES rebate/surcharge)
Jazz 1.5 Luxe e:HEV – From $100,999 (after $15k VES rebate)
All prices are inclusive of COE. Figures are correct at time of writing.
Click here to discover more about the new Honda Jazz
Looking for other superminis? Check out sgCarMart’s Volkswagen Polo review
Or read our Suzuki Swift Mild Hybrid review
