As 4th-gen Honda Jazz reaps praise, should Honda PH consider bringing it back?

MANILA: After being named as the "Best Small Car" at the 2022 What Car? Awards, the Honda Jazz has scored two more accolades from Which? magazine —  the "Most Reliable Small Car" and "Best Buy" title in the British publication's 2021-2022 car tests and surveys.

“The Honda Jazz is a small car that feels like a big one, not only because of the sheer amount of space you get, but also because of the comfort and refinement that it offers," WhatCar? magazine editor Steve Huntingford commented. 

"The interior is incredibly thoughtfully designed, too, with lots of clever touches to improve practicality. Plus, the Jazz is an easier car to see out of than many rivals, and its hybrid technology allows it to sip fuel, particularly around town," he added. 

The fourth-generation Honda Jazz — to the envy of many fans of the subcompact nameplate locally — is available mostly in European and Japanese markets, and now has an e:HEV hybrid system.

The e:HEV system combines a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and two electric motors. One e-motor acts as a generator to recharge the battery, while the other helps the engine propulsion duties in lower speeds.

However, as much as the hybrid Honda looks like a perfect fit for our market and current fuel prices, the Jazz nameplate has been discontinued here to make way for the City Hatchback. 

At least the third-generation Jazz is still available here, according to the local Honda website (last we heard there is one unit left — Ed). All iterations of the Jazz are equipped with Honda calls "Magic Seats" which can be folded to make way for various cargo.  

The Which? product testing team commented: “Practicality is the Jazz’s forte, with generous space for passengers, a decent-sized boot and Honda’s famous ‘Magic Seat’ system.” In the fourth-generation Jazz, 1,205 liters of cargo space is available with the rear seats folded. 

In the UK market, the Jazz is equipped with panoramic windscreen,  Honda Sensing safety package, and anti-fatigue front seats. The Jazz is Honda UK's best-selling model. 

The Jazz's hybrid drivetrain is part of Honda's commitment to electrify 100% of its European mainstream models in 2022.

Photos from Honda

Also read: How the Honda Jazz saved the Philippine car culture