Vehicle: 2004 Honda Jazz EX with Multimatic CVT
Price as tested: HK$132880

Performance: Jazz is powered by an efficient 1.3L 8-valver SOHC i-DSI that bumps out 86hp and 12.1 kgm. While this engine is not about performance, its more than adequate as a daily driver. There is enough low-end torque for stop-and-g0 traffic considered its 12.1 kgm arrives at low 2800 rpm. Despite this little mill sounds rough and noisy at high rpm, its NVH is more than acceptable somewhere between idle and 2800 rpm. On the other hand, Honda’s CVT which is called Multimatic is efficient enough to haul this little car through it paces. Even though its definitely not the smoothest and most refined CVT in the market, its gearless sensation is suitable to move this motor instead of relying on “regular” automatic with torque converter that slips out performance.

Handling: This little Jazz is a surprisingly agile vehicle through the corners, thanks to its sports suspension. However, its not without drawbacks. Its high center-of-gravity has produced a huge amount of body rolls while hustling through corners, the same goes for understeer. While latter can address with wider and lower profile tires, the first problem has to do with Honda’s emphasize on interior space. Because of its sporty setting, the ride feels somewhat choppy on washboard pavements and expansion joints. The sacifice of ride comfort has produced a somewhat sharper response through steering. In terms of steering feedback, it feels vague off-center and numb on-center. The overall steering weight feels featherweight and lack the weighty feedback of some of its rivals, namely VW Polo and Ford Fiesta.

Brakes: The front discs/rear drums with standard ABS is an acceptable setting in a car of this caliber. The stops are short and fade-free. Pedal modulation is balanced and feel better than average.

Interior: The amount of space inside the Jazz is astonising. There are plenty of head and legrooms for both front and rear passengers. The seats are covered in high-quality velour that has a touch of sporty feel to it. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. The semi-automatic climate control is efficient with an air-conditioner that produces freezing cold under 24 degrees Southeast Asia weather.

The beauty of Jazz’s cargo space is you can fold down the rear seats completely flat into the floor. The amount of hatch space is enough to challenge many of those so-called minivan, in terms of flexability and accessibility. You can also load items as huge as a refrigator into the Jazz thanks to its low liftover and a hatch that’s open 90 degrees.

Conclusion: Honda has revolutionized the subcompact equation by introducing Jazz, which is truly a master of interior space and flexability. Considered it also got a decent powerplant and more than capable dynamic qualities, this little car should sell well in Canada given how popular Echo hatchback is.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 HONDA JAZZ EX
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Performance: 3/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2.25/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5