2011 Honda Jazz Hybrid
2011 Honda Jazz Hybrid distinguishes itself from the standard Jazz with new taillight trims, revised grille, and new headlight trims.
Toyota hybrid Prius gives a tough competition to Jazz hybrid.
2011 Honda Jazz Hybrid is fitted with the same Honda IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system used in Insight hybrid.
Do we still love the Honda Jazz? So to coincide with the launch of the petrol/electric hybrid version, Honda has taken the opportunity to improve the car’s suspension. Having pioneered hybrids with the Eighties Insight, Honda followed with a Civic-based hybrid, which didn’t do well against Toyota’s Prius. Latterly, the Insight name was reinstated as a low-cost hybrid five-door hatchback and the CR-Z as a sporting hybrid coupé. Honda’s once-firm grip on engineering-based product leadership has been loosened.
Honda’s hybrid system is simple and, at about 135lb, lightweight. It comprises a two-inch-wide, 10kW electric motor that fits between the 1.3-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and continuously variable transmission. Compared with the standard 1.3 CVT Jazz, the hybrid’s figures look good. They share the same 109mph top speed, but the hybrid accelerates slightly faster and delivers 62.8mpg in the EU Combined cycle rather than 51.4mpg of the conventional car. That extra economy flatters to deceive, however. You’d need to drive an awesome distance to recoup the hybrid’s £1,500 price premium.
Honda’s slightly irritating driver training “leaves”, which show how economically you’re driving, are displayed at the bottom of the dash together with a more useful average fuel consumption readout.
The engine is typically Honda, revvy and vivacious, occasionally raucous – and the hybrid has an unpleasant exhaust resonance at about 4,000rpm. The uprated Jazz will sell just as well as its predecessor, partly because its qualities, including the flexible cabin, are unchanged (although the hybrid loses some boot depth).
Honda has recently confirmed that it will launch the upcoming Honda Jazz Hybrid at the Paris Auto Show in October. Honda has also released some details of the drivetrain, consisting of a 1.3-litre petrol engine combined with an electric motor.
