The Honda Jazz, small on the outside and big on the inside, equally as big are the amount of Jazz cars sold worldwide, 3.5 million and counting. So why have so many people fallen under the rhythm that is the Jazz beat. You could start with the 6 trim levels, ten model derivatives or the pricing, the Jazz starts at £11k for entry level versions and up to £15k for top spec levels. Only two engines are available, both petrol, 1.2 and 1.4, 4-cylinder units which are available either in Manual or CVT Auto models. Hybrid versions range from between £17k and £19k. The Jazz, in its second generation, has become wider and longer. The exterior is neatly proportioned and efficiently designed, the interior design is visually functional and trimmed in hard plastics throughout with the odd flash of design detail. It feels a little bit like a luxury van without any luxuries. To be fair it is well well screwed together with plenty of storage features and cubbie holes up front and its reasonably spacious all round. The Jazz houses its fuel tank under the drivers front seat. This allows the Jazz to perform a slight of hand thanks to ‘Magic Seats’.

“The Jazz is exactly what Honda say it is flexible, practical and efficient, if you own a beard and a roll-neck jumper then the Jazz might be the car for you.”

Magic Seats are essentially rear bench seats which rest on a foldable metal bar, with nothing in between, and this opens up a world of space within a space. The seats can be folded vertically or horizontally and standard boot space can be increased from 350 litre’s up to 1,400 litre’s with the rear seats folded flat. If you are looking for handling nirvana you will definitely not find it in the Jazz. It rides ok and handling wise, well lets just say the people who buy the Jazz aren’t after driving thrills. Practicality, economy, cheap maintenance and running costs are higher on the agenda. The 1.4 litre, 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine is a very smooth unit, whisper quite at low revs and refined when crunching through the five speed gearbox but it lacks straight-line punch. The quietness of the engine is undone by road and tyre noise at motorway speeds, perhaps the 48mpg combined fuel economy might be somewhat of an antidote. Equipment levels are modestly good ES Plus gets you 16-inch alloys, cruise control and privacy glass, usb connectivity but no Sat-Nav which would have been preferable over say the leather steering wheel and gearknob. The Jazz is exactly what Honda say it is flexible, practical and efficient, if you own a beard and a roll-neck jumper then the Jazz might be the car for you.