Is the Honda Jazz Sport a good car for new drivers?
Buying a performance car for a new or young driver can be irresponsible. It can be too fast, or a waste of money, because they can’t appreciate its abilities. But the Honda Jazz Sport has just the right level of sportiness for a new driver, while being effortless to drive.
The Honda Jazz is a darling of South African motorists. It’s reliable, frugal, spacious and pleasant to drive. It’s versatile too – thanks to those clever Magic Seats, that allow its owner to transport awkwardly-shaped items in the cabin. The Jazz Sport is the top dog in the Jazz line-up, and here we examine its suitability for new drivers. Spoiler alert: it’s not a bad choice at all.
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1. It’s very easy to drive
There’s just nothing about the Honda Jazz Sport that challenges the driver. Outward visibility is good and the reverse camera makes reversing and parking easy. The gear lever of the Sport’s CVT auto-box shifts easily between park, reverse, neutral, drive and sport. (For an extra bit of entertainment, Honda included actual gear-shift paddles behind the steering wheel.)
Yes, there’s still merit in teaching new drivers clutch-and-lever coordination. (It will be useful if someone at a party has to be rushed to ER and the only available vehicle is a stick-shifter.) But for a new driver, condemned to the Divine Comedy that is the rush-hour commute, auto is best. Honda does make some fine manual ’boxes, though, but the Jazz Sport is only available with an auto-box.
2. It’s safe
Like the other cars in the Jazz line-up, the Sport has six airbags, a rear camera with park-distance warning, ABS brakes and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Emergency brake assist (EBA) boosts braking power in an emergency. Vehicle stability assist (VSA) makes split-second calculations of the amount of power, brake-force and tyre grip needed to prevent skidding on slippery surfaces. Hill start assist (HSA) holds the brakes on an incline, until the driver presses the accelerator.
Honda says the Jazz’s construction incorporates Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) front body structure, which is “designed to meet and exceed the most stringent crash safety standards, offering enhanced passenger protection in the case of a collision”.
Where the other Jazz variants make do with halogen lights, the Sport is equipped with LED headlights and day-time running lights.
3. It’s sporty. But not too sporty
There are no go-faster stripes, but an almost understated body kit and meaty alloy wheels (in black) give the Sport a dynamic and somewhat mischievous look. Low-profile tyres (185/55 R16) and stiffer suspension endow the Jazz Sport with decent road-holding and safe, predictable handling.
It will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in under 10 seconds, courtesy of 97 kW of power and 155 Nm of torque (9 kW and 10 Nm up from the standard 1.5 engine), and the CVT transmission is programmed to have a sporty character, according to Honda. However, ‘sporty CVT’ does seem like an eternal contradiction in terms. Test-drive a Jazz Sport to see if you agree with Honda.
The engine allows easy overtaking on the highway, but the high-pitched drone that is typical of engines trapped in loveless marriages to CVT transmissions, could actually deter drivers from planting the accelerator.
If you do find the ride too harsh for your liking, pay R19 000 less by choosing the Jazz 1.5 Elegance auto.
4. It won’t use much fuel
High-performance or sports cars are thirsty, unless they’re electric. But with the Jazz, its sportiness is more of a theme than a sign of a racing pedigree or prowess. The official petrol consumption figure from Honda is an optimistic 5.6 litres/100km. We achieved an average of 6.3 litres/100km, over 600 km of highway and city driving, according to the trip computer. That’s still a good figure, for a 1.5-litre engine producing a lofty 97 kW.
5. It won’t let you down
Each and every car owner has the right to expect a reliable car, when buying it new or almost new. For new drivers, who usually don’t have access to credit or a well-stuffed piggy bank, it’s possibly even more important. Like cars made by other Japanese brands, Hondas are revered for their reliability.
Apart from solid engineering and a good reputation, the Jazz and its owner enjoy the cover of a 5-years/200 000km warranty, a service plan spanning 4 years/60 000km and AA roadside assist for three years.
Pricing: Honda Jazz 1.5 Sport – R 338 900
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