There are 22 cars to choose from in this hotly contested class but a few weeks ago we tested what we regarded as the top four (Toyota Yaris, Mazda2, Suzuki Swift and Honda Jazz). It was a timely reminder of just how capable these little cars are.
A second-generation Jazz went on sale last month. It is new from the ground up, even though it looks a lot like its predecessor.
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The new Jazz range starts from $15,990 for the 1.3-litre manual but we tested the most popular choice among buyers, the base 1.5-litre automatic. Its price is a not-so-basic $21,490 - that’s Toyota Corolla money - but among its rivals it has the most power, the most standard equipment and is the roomiest car in its class by a comfortable margin.
The downside to the Jazz’s otherwise impressive safety story? The car is yet to get stability control - which can prevent a skid in a corner - but it will become standard in about a year.
When the new Jazz went on sale it made headlines for this. We wish it had stability control from the get-go but it is worth noting only one main rival currently has it as an option. Furthermore, incredibly, some rivals don’t even have anti-lock brakes, which have been around for 30 years and became compulsory in Europe in 2005.
But back to the Jazz. The new model has grown in every dimension compared with its predecessor and it has by far the roomiest rear seat (knee room almost rivals that of a Ford Falcon, according to our tape measure). Thanks to its clever folding rear seat, which stows flat into the floor, it also has by far the most cavernous cargo space. There’s one metre of space between the stowed seat and the roof - it’s huge. Incredibly, despite the low floor and low load height, Honda has managed to fit a full-sized spare in the boot. Top marks for that.
The previous Jazz was criticised for having too-light steering and too-soft suspension. The new model has good steering feel and suspension that deals better with bumps, although it is a little on the loud side.
The engine has more power than its rivals and the Jazz is the only car in its class with a five-speed auto - but there is more to this than raw numbers. Around town, you need to push the throttle a little further to get the most out of the engine and, even then, the power is near the top of the rev range.
Because of the Jazz’s price and relative thirst for fuel (it’s gone from best in class to average) it was ranked fourth in our recent four-car test. But that does not mean it is a bad car. Fourth out of a field of 22 cars is no bad effort and, to be frank, when you get to the final four the choice boils down to personal preference.
So, here’s the deal. If you want a tiny car with a lot of space and don’t mind paying $2000 over the odds for the 1.5 model, we’d recommend a Jazz. But before you sign on the dotted line, it would be worth taking a 1.3 auto for a spin. Just be sure to order one with curtain airbags and be prepared to wait up to three months while it gets delivered from the factory in Thailand.
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