Honda has the most inconsistent and bizarre product planning of any car company.
It produces a hugely popular car like the S2000 roadster and then dumps it just because its engine won’t pass European emissions tests.
Other companies would have modified the engine or replaced it with a new and cleaner one.
Then there was the brilliant little CR-Z, the world’s only affordable sexy hybrid coupe, sent to the great scrapyard in the sky after only a few years of life.
But the Jazz is different. Honda has never messed with this strong seller and instead just tweaks and gradually improves it over the generations.
It has an immensely loyal following with 60% of customers moving from a Jazz to a new one.
Why? Because it offers a high level of practicality and clever use of space combined with excellent reliability and ease of use. One thing that has changed on this new Jazz is that there’s a version available called the Crosstar.
The recipe is a familiar one – add some plastic cladding around the wheelarches to give the faux off-roader look and a hint of adventure lifestyle, and crank up the ride height by a few millimetres too.
Since the Jazz has traditionally appealed to the older driver this is interesting. We have both the normal Jazz to drive and the Crosstar.
The standard Jazz is available in SE, SR and EX trim levels, while the Crosstar is only available as a top-level EX.
Honda’s sales department reckons that only 10% of new Jazz sales will be Crosstar models but I think that’s pessimistic.
Why? Because it looks more attractive than the regular Jazz. The Crosstar is 45mm longer, 31mm wider and 30mm taller.
Both are powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that develops 97bhp. This is combined with two electric motors, one a generator and the other a propulsion motor.
There are three driving modes: EV Drive in which a lithium-ion battery powers the propulsion motor; Hybrid Drive in which the engine drives the generator which in turn powers the propulsion motor; and finally Engine Drive in which the petrol engine does all the work via a lock-up clutch.
First thing you’ll notice when you step into the new Jazz from the old one is a much better view out the front.
The A-pillars are considerably thinner and the cabin feels more airy too. What hasn’t changed is the clever use of space and the wide range of storage places, from large door bins that can hold a drinks bottle to handy oddments storage across the dashboard.
Whether long-time Jazz owners will be equally impressed by Honda’s new personal assistant software that made its debut in the Honda E electric car is another matter. I ’m n o t convinced the older driver wants all these complicated systems.
Or regular beeps and intrusions from the lane departure warning system. I’m a big fan of entry level models because I like value for money more than I do leather seats and gadgets. The cheapest Jazz is the SE at £18,985.
The EX Crosstar is the most expensive but is still a reasonable £22,635. You sit higher up in the Crosstar and therefore get a better view out.
The higher centre of gravity that comes as a result should make the Crosstar more ponderous to drive than the regular Jazz – but surprisingly it doesn’t, and the Crosstar is the better car to drive.
To those of you who have had a string of Jazzes and are considering moving up to this generation, I’d really recommend a go in the Crosstar version.
If for no other reason but to prove me right in my thinking that Honda has underrated its appeal.
THE FACTS
Honda Jazz Crosstar EX compact SUV
Price : £22,635
Engine : 1.5-litre four-cylinder, 108bhp
0-62mph : 9.4sec
Fuel consumption : 58.9mpg Co2: 110g/km
THE RIVALS
Fiesta Active X
Ford’s faux off-roader offering. Good to drive, less practical inside and not a hybrid. £21,000
Citroen C3 Aircross Flair
Attractive and practical. Petrol and diesel available but no hybrid. £22,740
Ford Puma
Good to drive and available with hybrid powertrain. The best Ford rival. £23,770