- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr Ar
2019 Honda Jazz Hatchback. 4th generation
The Honda Jazz is a five-seat, five-door subcompact hatchback manufactured in Japan. The fourth generation is available on the market (as of 2021). The car traditionally combines attractive design, functional and spacious interior and modern technologies. At home and in the USA, it is known as the Fit, which most accurately reflects the essence of the car: it really fits everyone: young drivers, families with children, and even retirees.
In 2019, the manufacturer released the fourth generation Jazz and presented a new hybrid Honda Jazz e: HEV, where the petrol engine works like a generator, charging the lithium-ion battery that powers the car. But at high speed, the petrol engine connects directly to the wheels. It kind of reminds of how the mighty Koenigsegg Regera works. In 2021, this very modification can be found in Israel!
Exterior
The design of the new Honda Jazz e: HEV seems to be returning to its roots: the front face resembles the second generation in terms of design. The most striking features of the car have been preserved and carried over from year to year: a short sloping hood, a flat roof line that makes the interior more spacious at the rear, and triangular ‘vents’ that improve visibility. The latter are usually located on the front doors, but now the front pillar itself is bifurcated, which increased the angle view at the bottom from 69 degrees for the previous generation to 90 degrees.
The whole body is new. The content of high-strength steels has increased from 10 to 18%, which led to a 13% increase in torsional stiffness. However, the new Honda Jazz has not become larger: the body length has grown by 5 mm (up to 3,995 mm), the width is the same (1,695 mm), and the height is now 10 mm less (1,515 mm). The wheelbase remains the same: 2,530 mm.
Interior
The hatchback’s interior is completely minimalistic, which is quite in the spirit of the time. Despite being laconic, the design is very pleasant, featuring a stylish multi-steering wheel with a two-spoke rim, a digital dashboard on a 7-inch screen, a simple center console with a 9-inch multimedia display and a familiar air conditioning unit with three controls.
It is also pleasant to see improved noise insulation and thicker seat cushions (front - by 30 mm, rear - by 24 mm). Importantly, the small but roomy car has retained its remarkable interior transformation system, which allowed it to become the car of the year at home. The rear seats do not just fold down into the floor, their cushions rise vertically, pressing against the front seats and creating space for a large load of 1,203 liters.
Powertrains
The power system of the new Honda Jazz e: HEV includes a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 98 hp, working within the Atkinson cycle, plus two electric motors. One is connected to the petrol engine and works as a generator, while the second develops 109 hp and drives the front drive wheels. Most of the time, such a hybrid is driven by electric traction (the petrol engine only gives power to the generator). But at high speed, when the electric motor fails, the clutch connects the petrol engine directly to the wheels.
The model comes without a gearbox. This scheme is effective, as acceleration to 100 km/h takes only 9.4 seconds, and the fuel consumption is 5.8 liters per 100 km in the city and only 3.5 liters on the highway. The car’s suspension is simple and cheap, comprising a MacPherson strut independent suspension at the front and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear.
Equipment
In Israel, the 2020 Honda Jazz e: HEV is available with two trim levels: Comfort and Elegance. The multimedia system is equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functions, as well as a Wi-Fi transmitter. The car has a set of electronic assistants, including adaptive cruise control, automatic braking systems and lane keeping assist. There are 10 airbags.
