Jazz crashes Fiesta gig; CHRIS RUSSON has been driving the new Honda Jazz and found it roomier and full of big car equipment

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Sept 5, 2008

Byline: CHRIS RUSSON

A TOUCH of trad Jazz could spoil the party for Ford's Fiesta. Just days after Ford took the wraps off its sensational new little hatch, Honda has unveiled its new baby.

The latest Jazz will go head to head with the Fiesta when both go on sale in October.

But rather than going for an ultra modern, chic approach - as Ford has done with the Fiesta - Honda is being more conservative.

The new Jazz is more a development of the current model - no bad thing as it's Britain's third best selling small hatchback beaten only by the Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa. It also appeals to a much more mature audience - the average Jazz buyer is 63 - and those folk don't necessarily like change.

So Honda has made the Jazz better in every department without tampering with its overall appeal. It's bigger than before and, like the new Fiesta, has big car features to satisfy the current trend for downsizing.

The engines are great, the handling fine, but where the Jazz really scores is with practicality.

With its 'magic' seating set up - which folds, slides and tumbles in a variety of ways - this small hatchback can be transformed into a mini-estate in seconds.

Such is the load space, it can take a couple of mountain bikes with ease. Drop the front seat and it can take lengths of up to eight feet.

Even with all five seats in play, the boot, at 399 litres, can accommodate four suitcases - as much as a family saloon.

As with the previous Jazz two engines are available - both petrol and either 1.2 or 1.4-litre. There's no diesel but a hybrid version is under development.

All models are five door and prices start at pounds 9,990 for a 1.2 version in S trim and top out at pounds 12,790 for higher specification 1.4-litre EX models which is very similar to the Fiesta.

Both engines have been uprated and now develop 90 and 1 00PS respectively compared to the 77 and 83PS outputs of the original.

Top speed from the 1.2 is a claimed 110mph with 0 to 60 acceleration of under 12.5 seconds, while the 1.4 can achieve 113mph and manages to hit 60 in under 1 1.5 seconds - almost two seconds quicker than before.

Official fuel consumption figures are still to be announced, but Honda says they will better the 51.4 and 48.7 average mpg of the previous model, although emissions are unlikely to be under 120g/km.

Electronic stability and traction controls are fitted as standard on 1.4-litre models, priced from pounds 1 1,490, and all versions of the Jazz come with front, side and curtain airbags.

The likes of cruise control, automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof and even a refrigerated glovebox are included in the higher specification trim but the base model does not come with air conditioning.

Honda has a fine pedigree for engines and both are lively performers, punching above their weight. They can hold their own around town or cruising on the motorway.

As well as five speed manual gearboxes, six speed semi-automatic boxes are available with the 1.4-litre engine and those versions are priced from pounds 12,290.

This is Honda's I-SHIFT box which has been considerably improved. Gear changes are now much smoother than before and the car can be left in auto for driving in traffic or driven manually with selections made either from the gear lever or steering wheel paddles.

The Jazz I-SHIFT also features an electronic hill start assist system which prevents roll-back on slopes.

Inside, the Jazz Honda has made maximum use of space. Fitting the fuel tank below the middle of the car frees up room in the rear where back seat passengers enjoy a flat floor and almost two inches more legroom than before.

The instrumentation is clear, large and easy to master but the overall image is still very plasticky - unlike the Fiesta which has a magnificently modern dashboard .

Nevertheless the Jazz is solid, unpretentious and hugely versatile. As an all rounder it has the beating of any of its rivals.

CAPTION(S):

BIG FEATURES - the new Jazz is solid, unpretentious and hugely versatile