The 10-year User Review: Honda Jazz

Today, our Honda Jazz completes ten years with 80179 km on the odometer. The user experience has been full of jazz and happy moments. We purchased it on 18 November 2011, and it doesn’t feel a decade old. We often get compliments from people who call it only 5/6 years old. We have maintained it well too.

The decision to buy the Jazz was an interesting one, and the story leading to buying the car is even more fun. My father loved the Jazz and wanted to buy one in 2008, but steep prices kept him back. It was only in 2011 that Honda lowered the prices and my family decided to go for it. I was in grade 5, and my excitement knew no bounds. 

Ironically, the buying process was not as smooth. We booked the top-end Jazz X in Alabaster Silver colour on 11 August 2011. Honda gave us a waiting period of about two months. Jazz had many parts imported from Thailand, and floods hit Thailand during the same time, which meant a delay in production and delivery of the car. In September, we were told by our dealer that Jazz X was unavailable. Honda gave us two options, a) buy the Honda City V Exclusive Model with some discount or b) Buy the second top model Jazz Select in Red colour. 

Based on the picture, you know the option we chose. 

Driving Experience

Even after ten years, the first thing everyone says after driving it is, “This is as good as new!” I like to describe it as butter smooth. It is powered by Honda’s 1.2l I-VTEC engine that produces 89 bhp and 110 Nm of torque. The engine is super silent and hardly makes any noise. 

The driving dynamics and experience are on point. You cannot beat the Jazz for its comfort and reliability in the city. However, quick response and peppiness are some of the downsides of the Jazz. Smoothness is guaranteed, but so is a dull powertrain. There are instances when there is no power response from the car when you slide into third gear. You sit there waiting for the car to wake up. Overall, the manual gearbox is mated well to the 1.2 and works efficiently even after ten years. Over the years, the clutch has worn out and become hard, but that does not come as a surprise. It is manageable to drive. The steering is swift and feels light – the same since 2011. No change there. 

We haven’t taken it for many road trips because of its low ground clearance, but it feels planted and stable on the highway. Fuel economy figures are suitable enough for both long trips and local commutes. 

Practicality & Comfort

Two phrases – ‘10/10’ and ‘perfect’ describe the Jazz prudently. In this segment, you could not ask for an airier or roomier cabin. It is so spacious inside out. The quasi-MPV like shape works to its advantage. Seating three in the back is super easy, and all three passengers get equal comfort. Ample headroom and leg space make all kinds of rides relaxed and comfy. 

The interior of the first-gen facelifted Jazz was unbeatable for its time. The layout is aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing. For a 2011 car, the centre console layout was futuristic and class apart. The interior looks smart to date. The interiors offer usability and space efficiency to the max. The front seats are wide and offer generous space too. The instrumental cluster is analog, but the orange adds to its sportiness. It never feels or looks dull. 

The windshield is humongous, and the distance from the A/C vents to the end of the dashboard is exceptional as well. 

Throughout the car, you get multiple storage places and cup holders. The dual glove-box setup is exclusive and not typical, even in modern vehicles. You cannot run out of space, literally. The ‘Select’ trim came with beige upholstery along with its pros and cons. The beige makes the cabin seem bigger, but it takes a lot to maintain it as well. 

Boot space is another feather in the cap for the Jazz. It offered 399 litres of boot space, unmatched and first in the segment. That kind of boot space coupled with the magic seats allows for enormous amounts of storage. For this reason, carrying boxes, mattresses, cycles, or other longer items is a piece of cake for our family. It is a pity that the magic seats were discontinued for the current generation. 

Lastly, the quality of plastics is excellent and sturdy throughout the car. My mother compliments the air-conditioning system almost every time she sits in/drives the car. It is true as well. The A/C is highly effective and cools the car quickly, even in peak summers. Much like the car, the A/C system has not aged at all. 

Exteriors and Ride Quality

Looks have always been the talking point for the Jazz. It is sharp, good-looking, and fresh. There is no comparison with the newer generation model. The aerodynamic design is a required thing, but it essentially adds to the beauty of the car. The angular headlamps, small bonnet and large windshield, make it look young always. Overall, it is a well-designed car. Honda’s decision to revise the front grille, front and rear bumpers and the headlights worked in their favour.

Our model came with 15-inch silver alloy wheels, a chrome grille and rear chrome plate, rear wiper and defogger as standard. Safety features included two airbags, ABS and EBD. 

Moving on, the ride quality is not the best in class. The suspension is tuned to be too soft and becomes a problem on unduly roads. The comfort inside is fine, but a lot of the road noise and thuds travel inside the cabin. The biggest problem we face is the low ground clearance. It is a constant problem, and we have gotten used to it. The underbelly has scraped multiple speed breakers, uneven bumps, and ramps even with a single person on board. With a full load, one must be extra cautious. 

Finally, an annoying design flaw are the outside rear view mirrors that are placed too outwardly and tend to hit other cars/obstacles very easily. One has to be extremely careful in narrow lanes. We have replaced the inside glass of the left ORVM thrice till now.

Wear and Tear

Firstly, the overall build quality of materials is impressive as most of it remains intact to date. We got the tires changed fairly soon since our Michelin stock tires were fake, I believe. They got cut and torn apart for no reason without any rough use. 

Secondly, the rear left door handle is experiencing a clear coat paint failure. Additionally, the paint has faded from the edges of the A-pillar and door shoulders but these are acceptable after a decade of use. The quality of rubber biddings is not very satisfactory, and the ones on the exterior can die any day. 

Sadly, while parked, it was hit in the rear by a Maruti Omni van in May 2017. We got the windscreen and taillight changed and the rear quarter panel and boot door were dented and painted by Honda. 

Add Ons: Upgrades

1. The most prominent disadvantage of the Jazz is its low ground clearance. We got the suspension raised by adding suspension blocks, and those have helped a fair amount over steeper speed breakers and ramps.  Apart from that, the car is all stock! 
2. Upgraded stock halogen bulbs to Phoenix’s Ultra Blue Bulbs.
3. Got the steering wheel leather wrapped.

Jazz’s Uniqueness

• Magic Seats – the rear Magic Seats offer distinctive configurations. Fold up to store longer items or fold flat to increase the boot space. 

• A/C ducts under the front seats are activated when the air on feet mode is selected.
• A secret storage space under the left-hand side rear passenger seat.
• Biggest rear quarter windows in the segment from its time.

Comments by fellow Jazzers

“A car that no owner will ever forget. Evergreen.” claims my brother with pride. 

“Can’t think of a replacement. Ticks all the boxes!” says fellow Jazzer, Prem Bal. His Jazz turns 10 in April 2022. 

“Only ground clearance is the issue; otherwise, this is the number 1 car in its segment,” says Rahul Sharma, whose Jazz turns 10 in December 2022. 

“I sometimes forget that the ignition is ON; it is so silent,” comments my father.

Final Verdict

The Jazz is a car you wouldn’t want to sell. It is butter smooth and offers refinement in various ways even after years of use. Comfort and practicality are its most significant plus points. The engine and performance are satisfactory, but you cannot call it an enthusiast’s car. MS Swift takes the lead there. It isn’t easy to spot many first-gen facelift models of the Jazz on the road, and thus, the feeling of owning a unique car remains alive. It is the perfect family hatchback with a few misses that can be ignored. It is big on space and looks dynamic after a decade as well. It is an evergreen car and will be missed when sold.  

by-Shloak Srivastava