| First Drive | Frankfurt, Germany | Honda Jazz |

Honda's Jazz has always been big inside, but the new one really has to be seen to be believed. Honda hasn't just improved interior space though, the Jazz getting a complete redesign inside and out. If you're after the most practical supermini money can buy then the Jazz should be right at the top of your list.

In the Metal

You could be forgiven for thinking Honda has done little to the styling of the new Jazz. But park the old car alongside and the differences are actually quite significant, the new Jazz even more of a mono-box shape than its predecessor. That's to the benefit of interior space, where the Jazz really excels. Despite all that space Honda has managed to avoid the Jazz looking like an MPV by adding some distinctive lines along its flanks and to the bonnet. The glass area is huge, the quarterlight glass behind the slimmer A-pillars much bigger, increasing both forward visibility and the feeling of airiness inside. Opt for EX specification and the cabin is flooded by light thanks to a large panoramic glass roof.

What you get for your Money

The new Jazz starts at just a tenner under £10,000 making it one of the pricier models in the supermini marketplace. That's for the S model that does without air conditioning. If you want chilled air you'll need to spend another £1,000 and go for an SE. Otherwise the Jazz is well equipped, though both the satellite navigation systems Honda offers are very expensive. Buy a map or an aftermarket satnav if you don't like getting lost. It might not be the cheapest among its supermini rivals, but none of them come close to offering its massive space and practicality. Excellent residual values should also ensure that when you come to sell it you get more of your money back.

Driving it

Like its predecessor the Jazz is only offered with two petrol engines of 1.2- and 1.4-litres. Of the pair it's the smaller unit that impresses more, its 65 horses seemingly more enthusiastic than the 72 the 1.4-litre musters. With only around 10lb.ft difference between them too (84lb.ft vs. 94lb.ft) there's little reason to opt for the larger unit. Even so, neither feels particularly quick. Both drive through a snappy, pleasingly mechanical feeling five-speed manual transmission, the 1.4-litre also offered with an automated manual six-speeder with steering wheel paddle-shifters. That might suggest a degree of sportiness, but the Jazz isn't that kind of car.

The suspension is taut, though Honda has smoothed out the jarring that came with the firm suspension on the old car. Even so the Jazz doesn't come anywhere near cars like Ford's new Fiesta and Mazda's 2 for fun behind the wheel, the Honda's steering light and quick but lacking in any feel. Overall, it's a more mature drive that's aimed more at comfort and long-distance ability than grins on a favourite back road. There's nothing wrong with that either, the Jazz's refinement and comfort only further underlining its ability to compete against cars in the class above. You might need to work its engines hard to keep up, though.

Worth Noting

The Jazz doesn't just feel big inside, it's quantifiably so. Its boot space of 399 litres is around 100 litres more than in the Ford Fiesta, the Honda actually bettering the Fiesta's Focus big brother for luggage space seats up. Honda hasn't yet revealed the official fuel consumption figures, but the old car about 45mpg on the combined cycle, and the new one is certain to better that. That sub-£10k model is a headline grabber though, with most customers buying the more expensive models. Honda claims that the Jazz has the best customer retention among all its models, with customers buying Jazz after Jazz.

Summary

In these times where people are thinking smaller then the new Honda Jazz is perfectly positioned. A supermini that really can be used as a family car, the Jazz is massively practical. It should be inexpensive to run too, with good economy and reliability a given. Existing Jazz drivers will love it, as it's more refined, better riding and even more spacious than before. An excellent small car that makes a great deal of sense it's not difficult to see why so many owners love them.