2012 Honda Jazz | new car review

Honda have given their snazzy little hatch, the Jazz a facelift for 2012. The exterior design has progressed, now sporting a redesigned front & rear bumpers. This aesthetic change has also improved the car’s wind cheating characteristics. Lighting the roads will be the new restyled headlamps and tail lamps. A sporty honeycomb grille sits between the headlamps. The overall exterior design is intended to express spatial efficiency as emphasized by their campaign theme, “Man Maximum, minimum machine”.

The Jazz is equipped with a 1.5L i-VTEC engine that delivers 118 hp @ 6600 rpm and a 145Nm torque @ 4800 rpm. It is mated to a 5 Speed Automatic transmission, a first in class, and also gets steering mounted dual mode paddle shifters which should make this small hatch a fun drive.

The cabin is generally refined and is typical little-fuss Honda quality. The large three-meter cluster is permanently lit for daytime clarity. There is a multi-information display (MID) indicating instantaneous and average fuel consumption, range, etc. The large variety of Jazz owners will benefit from the much required tilt and telescopic steering column and the driver’s seat is height adjustable for convenience. There are plenty of easy-to-use storage compartments, 10 cup-holders and the glove box has an A/C vent also to keep beverages cool. A Panoramic Sunroof with an electric power sun shield is available as an option on the EX model.

Designed for versatility, the interior space can be maximized for a variety of requirements. Not just the rear seats fold flat easily, the front seats can also recline fully giving a cavernous total length of 2,400 mm inside the car. So next time you go furniture shopping, there’s a little less to worry about.  The rear hatch is located at a convenient height from the ground and can be swung open wide making it easy to load or unload grocery bags, baby prams and luggage. The turning radius of the Jazz is a tight 4.9mtrs making it a easy to handle car in tight parking spots. All models are offered with a single CD/Radio with MP3/WMA playback capability and speed dependent volume adjustment. Audio comes courtesy four speakers supplemented by a pair of tweeters. Also, the USB port in the centre console caters to quick music changes.

The ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure technology has spilled out on all the Honda models including the Jazz. It diffuses impact force by having multiple energy absorbing paths eventually preventing cabin deformation. Standard safety features include dual front airbags, three point seatbelts on all seats, ABS and Electronic Brake force Distribution system.

The 2012 Honda Jazz is available in three trim levels. Trading Enterprises, Dubai  have priced the base model LX at Dhs. 67,999, the EX at Dhs. 71,999 and the upscale EX retails at Dhs. 76, 999. The vehicle is accompanied by a 5yr / unlimited km warranty and the first service at 1000km is free. For information on the available service contracts please refer to your nearest dealer.

Tags: Hatchback, Honda, Honda Jazz