Jazz becomes an automatic choice

Nov 24 2008 John Connor

Jazz becomes an automatic choice

IF you want a compact, modern and rather jazzy car with all the trimmings then Honda thinks it has the answer with the latest Jazz.

The 2009 versions, which are arriving in the showroom now, look likely to score well in the sales chart.

Not only has Honda taken all the strongest qualities of the outgoing line-up, adding to them with the latest state-of-the art safety and security systems, it has now intorduced an automatic version.

Mated to the 1.4-litre, 100bhp petrol engine, the I-shift automatic transmission makes the car powerful enough to keep pace with the rest of the pack on the open road and ideal when sedately sailing along on country lanes.

Those with one eye on keeping motoring costs down will be impressed that the new Jazz is also more economic.

The 1.2 offers 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 125g/km. The 1.4 CO2 emissions come out at 128g/km, whilst returning 52.3mpg on the combined cycle. On the extra urban cycle it is 61.4mpg.

This five-seat hatchback has always been famous for its load space. The larger new model can cope with up to 883 litres of luggage. In addition to this increase in carrying capacity, the cinema-style magic seats are back by popular demand.

They are even easier to use and on the 1.4 models in particular there is also a new double trunk feature available. This can be configured to suit differing loads.

On the road it is lively without being hot in the sports car sense. It is steady in a straight line, stable going around corners and easy to park in reverse. In short it behaves very well.

Car tax Band C and Insurance Group 5 are quoted for the 1.4 version.

The entry level is the 1.2-litre S priced at £9,990. This is complimented by the SE, which features air conditioning and alloy wheels and is priced at £10,990.

The 1.4 ranges kick off at £11,490 and the flagship model with I-shift is priced at £13,590.

The I-shift model goes on sale in January.