2018 Honda Jazz Sport - Fun without sacrifice

By Chad Lückhoff

My first encounter with the Jazz nameplate was in Mozambique, where Japanese imports are legal and every corner sees something strange and wonderful parked at the kerbside. Because the “Jazz” I was driving came straight from the land of the rising sun, it was called a Fit – but a rose by any other name and so on...

This 1.5-litre compact hatch was fitted with a CVT-7 gearbox, one that I quite enjoyed, but if you're unsure of what a CVT gearbox is, listen closely.

A CV-what?

A CVT gearbox is a Continually Variable Transmission and can be closest likened to the sort of drive system that you would get in a scooter. “One” gear, throughout the car’s road speed range. Sounds strange, doesn't it? Well it feels even stranger. There is no separation between the gear ratios as such, and the system will hold the engine at one RPM while the road speed increases.

This is done through the implementation of a conical drive system and a belt drive – or sometimes, a chain. With the belt wrapped around two parallel but inversely oriented cones, the input-to-output speed ratio can be altered by moving the belt up one of the cones and down the other, thus steplessly and continuously changing the “gear” ratios.

While it provides a seamless transmission of power throughout the speed range, it can be a little disconcerting, because it creates a sensation similar to a slipping clutch. This has been one of the most common deterrents for potential buyers, limiting the market’s acceptance of CVTs in general.

I quite enjoyed the CVT gearbox in the first generation (GD-series) Jazz that I drove. Buttons on the steering wheel allowed me to operate it in a sequential-shift manner, with the gearbox simulating ratios through which it shifted up and down. This was quite entertaining and made the drive rather sporty, despite the small, naturally aspirated engine.

The new Honda Jazz Sport

Honda recently released a new version of the third generation (GK-series) Jazz, called the Sport. It replaces the Jazz Dynamic CVT but, as is tradition with Honda Sport models, a magic wand was waved over the existing chassis and drivetrain, and some cosmetic enhancements and interior trim changes were made as well.

The new Honda Jazz Sport still uses the 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine that you would find in the Elegance, but its power has been boosted to 97kW (from 88kW) and the torque is up from 145Nm to 155Nm. This means that the Honda Jazz Sport now has a 0 – 100km/h sprint time of 9.8-seconds. The top speed is still limited to 180km/h – how very Japanese of them. Despite the improved performance, Honda claims that the Jazz Sport will still return 5.9l/100km. I was returning mid-sixes over the test period, which, while a little more than Honda’s claims, are still more than respectable.

Exterior styling

However, the Jazz Sport is not about outright speed and performance figures, but rather about a stylish, practical hatch that looks interesting and energetic. And they're created just that with the Sport, giving it a new piano-black grille with chrome trimmings, flanked on either end by LED headlights with LED daytime running lights.

The front bumper has been redesigned with a more aggressive style, featuring a front splitter and broader air dam. Fog lights rest in the lower extremities of the front bumper. The front splitter is accentuated with a racy, red pin stripe, regardless of body colour.

The side sills are now fitted with subtle skirts which stretch between the new, black 16-inch alloy wheels. These skirts, along with the front and rear bumper mouldings, give the impression of sitting closer to the ground, all while managing to maintain a respectable and usable amount of ground clearance. The rear has been fitted with a larger tailgate spoiler, while a faux diffuser rests in the rear bumper, receiving the same red pin-striping detail as the front.

Sporty Interior

While one would anticipate the interior of the Jazz Sport to be a compromised, performance focussed affair, Honda has correctly identified the Jazz's audience and trimmed it accordingly. The first item one notices is the amount of space. Feeling much like Mary Poppins' handbag, one wonders how they managed to create so much interior space in spite of the Jazz’s relatively compact exterior dimensions.

Rear legroom is more than impressive, and the front roominess is pleasantly surprising. Carbon-style trim panels are edged with a copper flash, lifting what could easily be called a dreary interior scheme into something a little more racy.

The multi-function steering wheel has controls for the usual audio and telephony. Honda have greatly improved the tactile feel of these controls, doing away with the touch-sensitive controls that you’d find in the Civic. This controls the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that has the regular fare of Bluetooth, USB, and Aux input, but with the addition of an HDMI input as well – something seldom encountered in vehicles in this price range.

One would also expect the boot to rather compromised, but here you would once again be surprised. The boot in the Jazz Sport comes in at a respectable 359 litres with the rear seats in use, but drop the back seats and, thanks to the Magic Seat system, you're left with a 889 litre total load capacity and a flat floor at your disposal – one more reason to consider the Honda Jazz Sport.

Safe as houses

It's clear that the Jazz appeals to young families, thanks to its practicality and ease of use. These customers demand a certain level of safety in their vehicles, and the Honda Jazz Sport delivers exactly that. The Sport is fitted with ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and is complemented by Emergency Stop Signal, Vehicle Stability Assist as well as Hill Start Assist.

The Sport is fitted with six airbags, consisting of driver and passenger airbags, curtain airbags and side airbags, for complete peace of mind in the event of an accident. ISOFix anchorage points in the rear seat bases are included, for secure fitting of child safety seats.

What about the drive?

I was warned that I would detest the new CVT gearbox, but, while it's not as sweet as the CVT gearboxes used in earlier generations, I could quite easily live with it. Treat it like the CVT that it is, don't ask too much of it, and expect it to feel a little different to what you're accustomed to, and you'll do just fine.

The engine produces ample power and torque for daily use. A race winner it is not, but there was no problem accelerating up to highway speeds and staying there, all while driving in comfort.

The suspension is a little stiffer than some would like, but it is confidence-inspiring for the most part. It does tend to suffer a little in crosswinds, which sees the Jazz wandering in its lane thanks to its upright stature. That isn’t to say that the handling is wayward, but rather that the Jazz Sport is more Sport in name than it is in lap-record setting.

The Jazz slots into the daily grind perfectly, with loads of storage space, cup holders out the wazoo, and a pleasant disposition that makes any journey rather enjoyable.

It's priced attractively too. The Sport comes in at R312 900 and is backed by a 5-year / 200 000km warranty and a 4-year / 60 000km service plan.