Summary
The Honda Jazz is a five-door supermini-class small hatchback. This model was launched in the summer of 2020, with the only engine option being a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid.
The Jazz is also available as a faux off-road version called the Jazz Crosstar, which sits a little bit higher and has big grey plastic trim pieces but is no better at crossing the Sahara than an ordinary Jazz.
It has been praised for its practicality, with more room for both passengers and luggage than similarly sized rivals. The hybrid system also makes it economical for urban driving. The regular Jazz usually scores better than the Crosstar when tested separately.
As of January 2025, the Honda Jazz holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 71%, which puts it right in the middle of a large and very competitive field of small cars.
Jazz highlights
- Low running costs
- Spacious and practical cabin
- Well-equipped as standard
- User-friendly infotainment
Jazz lowlights
- Not all that run to drive
- Some cheap interior plastics
- Expensive when compare to similarly-sized rivals
- Only one engine choice
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatch
Engines: petrol/electric hybrid
Price: From £26,885 on-road
Launched: Summer 2020
Last updated: Summer 2023
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid EX
“The Honda Jazz has carved its own niche in being the ultra practical option in this segment that will massively appeal to those who aren’t passionate about their mode of transport. It’s the ultimate head-over-heart supermini.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Practical, efficient and highly-specced, the hybrid Honda Jazz supermini is an attractive if relatively pricey package”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid EX Style
Score: 8 / 10
“The EX Style maintains the typical Honda Jazz plus points of a fabulously spacious cabin and brilliant fuel economy. The hybrid system is very slick, and the ride and handling are more than up to the job. However, we can’t help but feel that this range-topper doesn’t really add enough to warrant the extra cost over the already generously equipped models further down the range.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Crosstar
Score: 6 / 10
“With a higher price point and only a modest increase in kit, the Honda Jazz Crosstar really is a case of image over substance. It’s slightly less efficient than the regular Jazz and despite the increased size, boot capacity takes a hit as well.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Part supermini, part pint-sized people carrier, the Honda Jazz remains a master of useful interior space and flexibility. New from 2020 are the standard hybrid powertrain, and addition of the Jazz Crosstar to the range.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid SR
Score: 8 / 10
“All versions of the Honda Jazz get the full suite of safety features – refreshing on a small car – including a new centre airbag between the driver and front passenger, which will ultimately become mandatory.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Jazz is peak Honda. Full of clever solutions for its customers, whether they live in a city and need maximum interior versatility in a car that fits in a tiny parking space, or simply want an economical car that’s easy but not punitively boring to drive. It deserves your admiration if you like engineering.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Crosstar
Score: 8 / 10
“If you like your supermini to wear chunkier and more rugged styling, then the addition of this Crosstar variant to the Honda Jazz range will be appreciated. It retains all the charm of the standard car – its unique interior, efficiency and impressive powertrain, but adds extra visual flair.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Fundamentally, the Honda Jazz remains similar to before. It’s still the safe, sensible and practical choice that its loyal buyers love. Not everything needs to be as ‘sporty’ or ‘dynamic’ as possible, and the Jazz continues to keep its own little segment of the market – carving out a niche for itself. “
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The quirky Honda Jazz is even smoother and cheaper to run with a hybrid powertrain”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Honda Jazz is designed to be easy to live with thanks to its great space and practicality. It’s a shame it looks expensive next to other small cars, though.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: EX
“Some obvious and well-executed improvements, especially with the cabin, combine with a good hybrid powertrain offering decent running costs to make the Honda Jazz a clever and efficient small car.”
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Daily Mail
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric Crosstar EX
“Visibility in the new Honda Jazz hatchback is much improved, thanks to a wider windscreen and much thinner pillars. The Crosstar variant has a reduced size SUV-style that is more flexible, funky and practical than the standard version. This is my favourite.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: Crosstar
Score: 6 / 10
“To those of you who have had a string of Jazzes and are considering moving up to this generation, I’d really recommend a go in the Crosstar version.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The now hybrid-only Honda Jazz is technologically impressive, very efficient and practical – but not much fun to drive.” (James Howe)
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid EX
“The Honda Jazz’s interior is minimalist yet classy. The central touchscreen and seven-inch digital instrument cluster are simple and easy to read. Interestingly, in response to consumer demand, Honda has reinstated physical controls for heating and ventilation underneath the touchscreen.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Crosstar
“It’s surprising just how often the Honda Jazz Crosstar runs on purely electric in town and city as you purr around in silence. It’s only when you put your right foot down really hard, or are driving on the motorway, that you notice that power is also coming from the engine.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: Hybrid
“Pleasingly, the Jazz marks a return to form for Honda and the Hybrid is comfortably better than the competition it faces today. However, that comes at a price premium and there are compelling new rivals en route that may dull its shine.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Crosstar
Score: 6 / 10
“The standard Honda Jazz is an excellent car, with low running costs and a versatile interior. The Jazz Crosstar builds on that with rugged styling and some extra equipment as standard. Its oddity factor gives it some appeal but, in truth, its relatively high price tag makes it difficult to justify.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“No one ever regretted buying a Honda Jazz. It’s the sort of car that’ll continue to surprise you with its practicality, reliability and frugal fuel economy. The latest model is more appealing than ever, thanks to a modern cabin and clever hybrid engine setup.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re looking for a versatile small car that won’t cost a fortune to run, the new hybrid Honda Jazz is a brilliant option. It’s more appealing than ever before, thanks to fresh new looks and a revamped interior. On the downside, it’s a little expensive, and the hybrid setup won’t appeal to everyone.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Versatile, grown-up hatchback gains hybrid tech”
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The Sun
Model reviewed:
“The Honda Jazz is a well thought out, perfectly executed sensible that makes life simple.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Flawed, but could prove to be one of the more satisfying superminis/compact crossovers long-term.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid EX
Score: 6 / 10
“If you already own a Honda Jazz and are looking at replacing it, this will be automotive catnip. If you aren’t already a Jazz aficionado, there’s not a lot here to convince you to to get the latest one unless you really like the fuel savings and the engineering.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Unbelievably roomy, versatile, and easy to recommend. But would you want one yourself? That’s a harder question…”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2020
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 87%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 76%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested:
Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: July 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 7 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.6 / 10
Three-and-a-half stars
The Honda Jazz was awarded a 3.5-star eco rating from Green NCAP in July 2021. Green NCAP said: “The Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid represents the latest in petrol-hybrid and diesel technologies, and performs well.
“It achieves high scores for Energy Efficiency and also does very well for Clean Air. The Greenhouse Gas Index is the weakest of the three areas of assessment, but the Honda emerges with a solid 3½ star rating.”
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 68
Average repair cost: £252.55
Last updated: October 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of January 2025, the Honda Jazz has an outstanding reliability rating of 87%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both this generation Jazz and previous (pre-2020) generations, which is good news if you are considering a used Honda Jazz.
The repair bills claimed under warranty to date have been very inexpensive – with the exception of gearbox issues, which have a bill of almost £1,000. In fairness, that’s still less than average gearbox repair bills for most other cars.
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
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 48 mpg | C | 46 – 49 mpg | C – C |
Hybrid models | 63 mpg | A | 26 – 63 mpg | A – E |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 134 g/km | A | 131 – 139 g/km | A – B |
Hybrid models | 102 g/km | A | 102 – 242 g/km | A – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 22 | A | 13 – 45 | A – D |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £137 | A |
Year 2 | £372 | A |
Year 3 | £610 | A |
Year 4 | £788 | A |
Year 5 | £1,122 | A |
Overall | £3,029 | A |
The Honda Jazz is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
While the fuel consumption of petrol models sits around the market average, the data suggests that hybrid models are much more economical. Both insurance and maintenance costs are predicted to be cheap too.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Honda jazz has received
2023
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Hybrid Car
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 | MG 3 | Mini hatch | Nissan Micra | Peugeot 208 | Renault Clio | SEAT Ibiza | Skoda Fabia | Suzuki Swift | Toyota Yaris | Vauxhall Corsa | Volkswagen Polo
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Honda Jazz at The Car Expert
Buy a Honda Jazz
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