Honda Jazz

A very versatile, sorted little car. But it lacks a certain sparkle.

• Comfort

  Probably the least exciting of Honda's cars to drive, but still a little buzzy when it comes to out-and-out comfort - something Japanese customers don't seem to mind too much. Still, there's plenty of space and the slow-geared steering makes for a relaxed pilot. It is very quiet and the 1.4-litre isn't a screamer like most Hondas, so you can cruise about in relative comfort.

  

• Performance

  There's a 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol on offer (though the 1.4 only displaces 1339cc) with the 100bhp 1.4 the better option. There's 94lb ft so it'll hit 62mph in just under 12 seconds and on to a top end of 112mph. Good for city stuff - less useful on a busy motorway.

  

• Cool

  Not very. Unless you're well into micro Japanese hatches or stuff that turns on aged relatives. 

  

• Quality

  The engineering is tight, and we like the Civic-style dash bits, but it still has an edge of plastickery. It is still way, way better than the last Jazz though. You get the feeling they spent the money on the bits underneath and the interior quality just means a different thing in Japan.  

  

• Handling

  New Jazz is good to drive, but no better than that. It retains a bit of bias to old gits, so is softer than before. Still, the steering is accurate and you can hustle within certain limits. There's also that feeling that the chassis is brilliantly sorted, but it's been toned down and re-jigged for a defined less edgy feel.

  

• Practicality

  Oh yeah, this is where a small Jazz stages a tiny coup. The petrol tank is up under the front seats, so the rear is a master of packaging. Seats-up it has a boot size of 399 litres. You can also play with the rear seating to your heart's content until you find the right ‘storage solution' for you. It's clever. Dull, but really dead clever.

  

• Running costs

  The Honda Jazz is great if you want cheap; insurance is down in group 5, it'll do over 50mpg, it hits 15-per cent tax (119g/km). You have cobwebs in your wallet? This is the car for you!