Honda Jazz Crosstar: A Hybrid Mini-MPV with Upgraded Power and Efficiency
The Honda Jazz has been a popular car for years, and its latest update has given it a new lease of life. While other superminis are being culled, the Jazz remains viable thanks to its relatively high price point of £27,000 and its low impact on Honda’s fleet emissions, thanks to its innovative e:HEV powertrain. The latest update has focused primarily on the hybrid system, with external design changes limited to a refreshed front grille design, restyled bumpers, and a change to the headlight surrounds. The Crosstar model, which we drove, mimics a 4×4 and has revised chassis settings to offer “a more engaging experience for Jazz owners looking for sportier performance”.
Powertrain and Performance
The e:HEV system combines two electric motors, a battery, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a variable-ratio transmission. The upgrades to both the motors and the engine have resulted in an increase in output from 108bhp to 120bhp. Despite this increase in power, the Crosstar still achieves impressive fuel economy figures of 58.9mpg and 109g/km of CO2. The acceleration is surprisingly quick, whether from stationary or when already rolling. The Jazz often runs as an EV in low-speed driving, and if not then it’s operating in hybrid mode, with the engine effectively working as a generator to charge the battery that feeds the motor. On the motorway, the engine will clutch onto the front wheels itself, but still it’s at times assisted by the electrical componentry, and still I saw EV mode activate at above 50mph on occasion.
The powertrain is seamless, and you simply drive as you wish while it instantaneously works out which is the optimum operating mode. Unless you really floor it, engine revs don’t intrude like they do in some hybrids. The result is fuel economy figures of up to 56mpg, even on a mixed-roads test route that included some enthusiastic usage. This is good when compared with most superminis, although the only other hybrid one, the Toyota Yaris, claims up to 68.9mpg.
Ride and Handling
Like the Yaris, the Jazz rides flatly and perhaps more firmly than you would expect – even in the case of the Crosstar, which sits 37mm higher than usual, due to some extra suspension travel. It’s generally comfortable enough but still lacking some sophistication, particularly in the way it shares shocks from broken surfaces. The Jazz leans more than most if you challenge it through corners, but you can still keep up a good pace through the countryside – not that there’s any suggestion whatsoever of the new Jazz Advance Sport being engaging.
Interior and Comfort
The Jazz has an unusual one-box shape, which makes it feel like a shrunken MPV from inside. The upright driving position and forward-leaning windscreen add to this feeling. However, this shape also means that the interior is spacious, with tall drivers being able to sit comfortably and the rear being equally adult-appropriate. The boot is big, and the rear seats flip up cinema-style, making it easy to transport large items.
Honda has changed only some of the materials and colours inside, and the result is impressive. All the materials look swish and feel nice, and the touchscreen infotainment looks at home on the dashboard, has a succinct software layout and doesn’t glitch.
Conclusion
Jazz drivers want comfort, practicality, ease of use, affordable running and reliability, and that’s what they will continue to get, even if it does come at a considerable expense. The Crosstar model expands on the Jazz’s practicality, with its 4×4-mimicking design and revised chassis settings. The hybrid powertrain is efficient and seamless, making it easy to drive without having to adapt to different modes. The ride and handling are generally comfortable, although lacking in sophistication. The interior is spacious and well-designed, with high-quality materials and a user-friendly infotainment system. Overall, the Honda Jazz Crosstar is a great choice for those looking for a hybrid mini-MPV with upgraded power and efficiency.
