2016 Honda Jazz versus older model - See the difference

What's difference between the new 2016 Honda Jazz model and the old?

Some of our Honda Jazz customer across Shropshire and Mid Wales have been asking us about the differences between the new Honda Jazz and the older model, so we produced this review with a video pointing out the fundamental differences.

The Honda Jazz celebrates its eighth birthday in 2016 with a new look for its third incarnation, which eyes a more youthful market. It boasts exciting new features and aims to provide an even better drive than before. It’s also more practical than ever, with an impressive list of standard kit.

While still recognisably a Jazz, the car has been re-engineered from the top to the bottom with a curvy, more sophisticated body shape enhancing its stylistic appeal.

The interior is roomier, the look sportier, and features have been sharpened as well. Overall, the appearance is striking, athletic and more youthful than the previous two models

The refreshed design has performance firmly in mind. The front grille becomes bolder, the bumpers more sculpted, and stronger lines create an overall powerful look. In fact, the headlights and grille are the same as the Honda HR-V, with the same sharp body creases and high window line.

This more aggressive design means an expanded chassis, so rear-seat passengers get more legroom. At the same time, refined arches on the 2016 Honda Jazz enhance handling and fuel efficiency. What’s more, the centre of gravity of the chassis has been improved, and the sporty look is completed with alloy or steel wheels, as you prefer.

Engines

There’s a naturally aspirated i-VTEC engine with a 1.3-litre capacity, and manual models have a sixth gear. There’s a new six-speed manual model, or select Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) instead.

The manual version does up to 56.5 mpg, with emissions of 116 – 120 g/km. In the automatic model, those figures are around 60 mpg and 106 – 114 g/km respectively.

Additional sound deadening behind the dashboard and in the wheel arches, along with the altered suspension, means reduced noise and less roll in the corners on the new Jazz.

The Japanese marque has even hinted at the possibility of a more economical, faster model, although this will probably only be available later in the year.

Steering on this model has been made quicker, and there’s sufficient feedback so that you know in which direction the front wheels are pointing.

The new Honda Jazz comes in three trim levels: S, SE and EX. All have DAB, Bluetooth, cruise control, automatic wipers and lights, and air con. The ‘Magic’ back seats now offered at the higher end of the range can be folded flat in one quick movement, allowing you to transport bulkier items.

SE models get alloy wheels and parking sensors now, as well as the Driver Assistance Safety Pack. Meanwhile, the range-topping EX-versions get bigger wheels, a reversing camera, climate control and keyless entry.

Revamped on the inside, too

It’s not just the exterior of the Honda Jazz that has been revamped. Every trim level apart from the basic S version gets Honda’s seven-inch infotainment system, with its touchscreen operation. This includes Bluetooth connectivity, USB and AUX support and things like touch sensitive controls for the air conditioning.

The new Jazz also excels when it comes to comfort, practicality and boot space. It offers a lot more room than many equivalent models from rival manufacturers, and even some in the class above.

With the seats up, you get boot space to the generous tune of over 350 litres, which is over 60 litres more than you would get in a Ford Fiesta, for example. And, again with the seats down, you get over 1,300 litres of interior space, more than is offered by all its key rivals.

The wheelbase on the new model increases its length by 30 mm, meaning that the car has 95 mm on its predecessor when measured from bumper to bumper. So rear seat passengers get 115 mm more legroom, not to mention an extra 20 mm of shoulder room. And there are plenty of storage areas too.

Honda has high hopes that the new Honda Jazz will achieve the maximum five stars in crash tests by Euro NCAP, and the latest model is packed with safety features, from Vehicle Stability Assist to the Intelligent Speed Limiter. You’ll also find features like Idle Stop, meaning the engine goes into green mode when the lights are red.

With so much going for it, the new Honda Jazz could well be ideal as your next small car.