Honda Jazz (Fit) test drive since 2008 hatchback

For two hares

Honda Jazz. Price: Not defined. On sale: since April 2009
Updating a bestseller is always not easy, because the best, as you know, is an enemy of good! Honda designers had to work hard on the evolution of the Jazz model so loved by everyone, but they coped almost excellently! The first acquaintance with the new Honda Jazz left a sea of \u200b\u200bpositive impressions. Although without a spoon of tar in a huge barrel of honey, there was still no

Test pilot
Vladimir Makkaveev, 31 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 12 years, personal car - Ford Focus
In the context of the growing financial crisis, the birth of the new Honda Jazz was expected by fans of the brand with special impatience. In percentage, B-class is already one of the fastest growing segments of the automobile market. And the crisis threatens to pull the small -leafers and some consumers from older segments into the class. But as the market flywheel is spinning, competition in this segment is also aggravated. In the asphalt jungle of million megacities, only the most universal, original and expressive cars survive.
In recent years, two pronounced ways of achieving success have formed in the segment: city hatchbacks and MPV. In the first case, style and maneuverability become the main ones. In the second, comfort and practicality. Developing the new Jazz, Honda designers chased immediately after two hares, trying to combine all the advantages of the city hatchback and MPV in one car.
Already with visual acquaintance, it becomes clear that we have a completely new car. The new Jazz has become somehow easier, airy. With his older brother, he is related only to the characteristic squint of beveled headlights. All other elements of the exterior are noticeably processed: from the new trapezoidal radiator grill and an elegant lower body kit to sharp, several futuristic lines of the rear of the car. The wedge -shaped bodies of the body not only improved Jazz aerodynamics, but also made it an order of magnitude more elegant.
Looking into the salon, we observe the same picture. Small, sometimes just cosmetic changes, such as the sopel of the air conditioning system, which are removed under the visor, and the unusual hazel -shaped horizontal central console clearly add individuality. The dashboard is pleasing to the eye. From the previous model there was only a three -section layout. Otherwise, the tidy is completely redesigned. Saturn's elegant rings in the design of spherical devices look, perhaps even too futuristic for the B-class, but they are very walking. In the central window of the speedometer, a small but well -readable monitor appeared.
In the cylinder with a tachometer on cars with a mechanical KP, there is also an indicator of the selection of transmission, suggesting when it is better to switch up or down to maximize fuel and smoothness. In the version with a robotic I-SHIFT box in the right window with a fuel sensor, the current transmission indicator, which works constantly, regardless of the selected mode, is now adjacent. All these changes are pleasantly pleasing to the eye, as well as the panoramic roof available in the most expensive configuration. The latter not only tritely improves the illon, but also has a beneficial psychological effect, removing stress during long standing in traffic jams. In a word, for the style of the designers of the new Jazz you can put a solid five. In this aspect, the Japanese may well compete with the best harts of class. But since in Honda we chased immediately after two hares, let's look at JAZZ from the point of view of MPV, putting comfort and functionality at the forefront.
Even if we abstract from the panoramic roof so loved by us, one cannot help but admit that the visibility of Jazz has improved markedly. Narrow racks and a new form of glasses made it possible to increase the view of the front by 10%, and at 30%. For a small urban car, an increase in a colossal one!
Naturally, following the latest fashion of its segment, Jazz was somewhat heard in size. Compared to the older brother, the length of the car increased by 55 mm, the base by 50 mm, and the width of 20 mm. But without painstaking work on the layout, a banal increase in size would hardly bring the result that JAZZ designers achieved. The salon has become a little more spacious and noticeably more functional. The width of the driver’s and passenger places increased. The legs for the legs of the rear passengers increased. I can’t even believe that you are sitting in a V-class car. The volume of the trunk, which the past Jazz was one of the most spacious in the classroom, and completely grew from 384 to 399 liters. As many as ten cup holders and many drawers and departments for little things, mobile phones, etc. appeared in the cabin.
There is even a separate cooled box for soft drinks! So in terms of practicality and ergonomics of the salon there is practically nothing to complain about. Unless the elegant round monitor of the air conditioning system, mounted in the left side of the central console, turned out to be only a tribute to the style, nothing more. It is sometimes difficult to see his testimony from the driver’s place: on a sunny day, a large flat glass of the device is constantly gleaming, and light settings are very controversial. Gray numbers more or less clearly burn only in daytime mode. But it is worth turning on the foglights or the closest light, as the system passes into the night mode, and the numbers are no longer read at all. And this despite the fact that in most countries the rules prescribe to include close light regardless of the time of day.
If we talk about road tests, then Jazz left conflicting feelings. The new 1.4 -linen motor is pleasantly surprising. Despite the fact that the engine has become more environmentally friendly, an increase in the diameter of the intake valves, a decrease in the resistance at the input and output and the optimization of processes in the combustion chamber made it possible to increase the power to 100 liters. With. At the same time, by reducing the resistance of friction in the cylinder -piston group and the use of the recirculation system of exhaust gases EGR, fuel consumption in the mixed cycle even decreased.
It is impossible to complain about the 5-speed manual transmission. Carbon synchronizers of the 2nd and 3rd gears, optimization of the adhesion pedal and a decrease in noise made the mechanics softer and more precisely. But how many in Russia there are people who want to buy Jazz, which is originally positioned as a female car, with a mechanical box? As for the 6-speed robot, it is precisely that the pre-spoon of tar lies in it. The robot, for the sake of Euro 5 standards, has replaced the good old variator of the previous JAZZ model, perhaps better than the similar Toyota Yaris box, but he does not add smoothness and sharpness of the reaction of Honda Jazz. Unpleasant clinks for each switch are all the more noticeable that the changes affected by the rear torsion beam and the configuration of the front silent block made the Jazz suspension slightly softer.
Otherwise, despite the increase in the base and dimensions of the car, Jazz’s manageability and maneuverability remained almost at the same level. Even the minimum turning radius is all the same 4.95.2 m.
Wealth of choice
In Russia, the new Honda Jazz will be available in four trim levels. Of these, only in one cheapest Elegance car can be purchased both with a robotic and a manual gearbox. Regardless of the selected type of transmission, Elegance includes VSA, 8 airbags, heating seats, electric mirrors, leather steering wheel, 4 speakers of MP3 systems, a departure steering wheel, rain sensor.
In the next setting price, Sport Jazz will receive 16 cast wheels, a sports bag, tinted rear windows and a leather gearbox leather. The most expensive version of Honda Jazz Executive also includes a panoramic roof, cruise control, front fog lights, a USB connector, rear seats head restraints and high-frequency speakers. In two top trim levels, cars are equipped with only a 6-speed robotic I-SHIFT gearbox. The new generation Honda Jazz Color Palette will include 11 colors: Cool Rose (M), Sharma Blue (M), Cerulean Blue (M), TAFFETA White, Allabaster Silver (M), Storm Silver (M), Crystal Black (P ), Milano Red, Helios Yellow (P), Deep Sapphire Blue (P), Premium Deep Violet (P).

Valuable information
Like the new Honda Accord, on the JAZZ with a 5 -speed mechanical transmission, the SIL (Shift Indicator Light) shifting indicator is now installed in the tachometer center, prompting the driver to switch to optimal, in terms of smoothness and fuel economy, transmission.
Models with a robotic I-SHIFT transmission are equipped with a current transmission indicator. Moreover, the selected gear is displayed in the lower part of the right display both in manual and automatic transmission boxes. In the latter case, literal A.

We do not love
Controversial
The testimonies of the monitor of the air conditioning system are well read only with shadow light. In sunny weather, his data is almost not distinguishable.
Reasonable
The mirror controls are removed under the steering wheel of the door panel by the buttons is not overloaded.
Driving
In management, the new Jazz is very similar to its predecessor: we are absolutely stable and predict.
Salon
One of the most voluminous, modern and visually high -tech interiors in its class.
Comfort
A soft, truly female racing pendant is unlikely to do, but the city is very good. High level of sound comfort.
 
Safety
The frame of the body with improved compatibility and 8 airbags in the basic configuration.
Price
Not determined.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Pleasant and stable handling, excellent visibility, high functionality.
- Replacing the variator with a new robotic box clearly did not benefit the model.
Technical characteristics
Mark and model - Honda Jazz
Dimensions - 3900x1695x1525 mm
The engine is gasoline, 1339 cm3, 100 liters. S./6000 min--1
Transmission-mechanical, 5-speed (robotic, 6-speed I-SHIFT)
Dynamics - Max 182 (180) km/h; 11.4 (13.6) C to 100 km/h
Competitors - Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa, Mazda2

Our opinion
Despite the small flaws in the work of a robotic transmission, it should be recognized that the chase of Honda for two hares was successful: with the advent of the new Jazz, V-class acquired a stylish, roomy and extremely functional urban hatchback. In a crisis, a very promising car!

Author: Vladimir Makkaveev

 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [February 2009]