Honda Jazz (2011) X - Performance Review

The Jazz has a modified-for-India 1193cc petrol engine that generates 90PS and 110Nm and is equipped with i-VTEC. In predictable Honda fashion, it’s a high-revving unit that forms most of its oomph in the mid-range and top end. That’s not to say that it’s gutless at low revs; it is really drivable no matter where in the rev range it is.

It is surprising even by Honda’s high standards on two counts: one, the Jazz usually retails with a 1.5-litre engine or a 1.3-litre one in markets worldwide. The 1.3 has lost a few ccs in the endeavour to duck beneath the 1.2-litre excise benefits, but it’s still very peppy considering the Jazz is a big, heavy car. Two, the Jazz engine is more refined than the City’s engine, which gets really noisy once it crosses the 3000rpm mark.

However, once you’ve got up to speed, the Jazz can put a big smile on your face. The electrically-assisted steering wheel is accurate and weighted well, if slightly artificially, and the gearbox offers crisp, positive shifts and short throws, which makes keeping the hornet of an engine on its toes an enjoyable job. At no point does the Jazz feel unable to handle anything you throw at it, with progressive understeer at the limit. Even here, one can feel that an upgrade to grippier compounds from the stock Michelin Energy XM1 tyres will yield better braking and handling results.

That said, the Jazz does get tiring to drive on long trips, because overtaking needs to be planned to compensate for the engine’s relative lack of power. A steady cruise at high speed can also get tiring due to the engine’s noise intruding into the cabin.

Fuel efficiency is really good at 16.7kmpl, accounting for the small-displacement engine and big, heavy body.

Verdict
The last verdict we wrote said that the Jazz was priced uncomfortably close to the City. As this is being written, the City is being offered with discounts of up to Rs 66,000, but the Jazz range now begins at a price of Rs 5.84 lakh, ex-showroom Mumbai, and goes up to Rs 6.44 lakh for the all-singing, all-dancing X variant. That is incredible value for money, and not just for a Honda.

Need we say more?