Summary
The Honda Jazz is a five-door supermini-class small hatchback. This model was launched in the summer of 2015 and was updated in late 2018. Production of this model ended in 2019 ahead of the arrival of an all-new Jazz in the summer of 2020.
The Jazz received generally average reviews from the UK motoring media over the course of its production cycle, with a few outstanding scores from some consumer titles like Honest John. Based on 20 reviews by the end of its model life, the Jazz had an overall Expert Rating that placed near the bottom of the supermini class.
The Honda Jazz was universally praised by reviewers for its practicality and spaciousness compared to similarly-sized cars, however it was criticised for poor levels of ride comfort and refinement compared to the best cars in its class.
Reliability is a strong point for this generation of the Honda Jazz. As well as our own data shown below, Warrantywise ranked it as the UK’s most reliable used car in 2022. Owner surveys have also reported excellent reliability – in a 2020 What Car? survey of the 50 most reliable cars in the UK up to eight years old, the Honda Jazz ranked equal 27th. The Jazz was also seventh in its list of the most reliable small cars. In 2021, it improved to fifth place and in 2022 it was up to second place.
- Honda Jazz (2020 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Honda Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Key specifications
Body style: Small five-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £14,600 on-road
Launched: Summer 2015
Last update: Winter 2017/18
Replaced: Summer 2020
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Honda Jazz scores adequately in all areas, and highly for its equipment. In terms of space, rivals cannot compare with it.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Honda Jazz has served as a versatile supermini for many years, and the latest car is the most practical and well equipped ever.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“If you want a Tardis, buy a Honda Jazz. It really is so ridiculously practical that if your situation dictates the need for small on the outside and big on the inside, there’s little else to touch it.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol manual EX Navi
Score: 6 / 10
“The Honda Jazz excels in a number of key areas: it leaves all its supermini rivals for dead in the versatility and practicality stakes. But the lack of character beneath the bonnet, the unsettled ride quality and ho-hum levels of refinement leave us disappointed.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Honda Jazz has a class-leading boot and the most spacious interior of any supermini, thanks to its tall roof and upright stance.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Honda Jazz is a roomy small family car that’s easy to drive, but a little dull-looking.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Nav
“The new trim level gives the Jazz more visual appeal, but most rivals are still more efficient and more rewarding to drive. The Honda does though score for P11D value, practicality and the slightly higher driving position.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Honda’s latest supermini drives well, but ultimately trades fun for practicality”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Honda Jazz is an unusual small car, but its practicality and reliability are unbeatable in this class. If those are the things that matter most, it’s hard to argue with as a sensible purchase, but newer rivals have it licked when you consider their mature driving dynamics, stronger engines, and smarter on-board technology.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“It’s simply the most versatile small car on sale and one that’s easy to recommend.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport
“The new 1.5iVTEC Honda Jazz Sport is a revelation in that department, absorbing uneven, pock-marked Italian roads around Rome, cornering well and shifting along at a decent rate of knots.”
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Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol manual
“There is nothing on sale to touch the Honda Jazz for practicality except perhaps the Nissan Note – but it doesn’t have Honda’s ‘Magic’ seats. The only other alternative is a less wieldy estate car. In fact the Jazz is probably the most practical small car on sale.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Honda Jazz has all the right ingredients, but lacks sparkle.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol manual EX
“Honda has sexed up the Jazz with more looks, more room and more equipment. It’s an appealing supermini.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Ford Fiesta and VW Polo are still arguably the cooler options, but this third-generation Honda Jazz is a massive improvement. There’s very little out there that will swallow the contents of a student flat, return 56.5mpg on the way home to Mum’s and provide tunes via the on-board DAB radio.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol manual EX Navi
Score: 4 / 10
“I can’t believe Honda has sunk this low. Six years ago it was making cars and television commercials that made you dizzy with desire. And now it’s making cars with engines that turn a lot of fuel into nothing at all.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol manual
Score: 6 / 10
“The unlikely passion wagon”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Navi
Score: 6 / 10
“Faster rather than more fun, the Jazz Sport doesn’t add a whole lot extra to Honda’s small car offering. However, there’s still plenty here to appreciate for those who want a practical and reliable car, only this time with a little more performance than before.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“That the latest Honda Jazz differs very little from its predecessors is no bad thing in terms of how functional it is, or how reliable it will no doubt prove to be. However, while slightly better to drive than before, it’s still not a particularly comfortable car, particularly for longer journeys.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Not sexy, not fun, not a heartstring-tugger, but by gum is this a clever car. Brilliantly fit for purpose.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Rage overview
Score: 8 / 10
“As roomy and versatile as bigger cars. Ride and refinement disappoint.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2015
Date expired: January 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 73%
Safety assist: 71%
Note on safety rating
The Honda Jazz was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2015 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2022 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Honda HR-V to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Honda Jazz was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 44
Average repair cost: £264.29
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of February 2024, the Honda Jazz has a excellent reliability rating of 85%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both this generation Jazz, as well as both newer (2020 onwards) and previous (pre-2015) generations, which is good news if you are considering a used Honda Jazz.
Although we don’t have a huge number of data points yet, the repair bills claimed under warranty to date have been very inexpensive. All in all, the Jazz looks like being a reliable choice as a used car.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data
This generation of Honda Jazz is too old for us to have running cost data.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Honda Jazz has received
2018
- Honest John Awards – Best Small Hatchback
2017
- What Car? Reliability Survey – Most Reliable Car
- Workshop Magazine Awards – Car of the Year
2016
- Telegraph Cars Awards – Best Small Hatchback
- Women’s World Car of the Year – Budget Car Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Honda Jazz, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Ford Fiesta | Hyundai i20 | Kia Rio | Mazda 2 | Mini hatch | Nissan Micra | Peugeot 208 | Renault Clio | SEAT Ibiza | Skoda Fabia | Suzuki Swift | Toyota Yaris | Vauxhall Corsa | Volkswagen Polo
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