Honda Jazz 1.5 Sport…A Jazz with a dash of blunted brio.

This angle reveals sportier nose treatment, side skirts and black mirror housings

IF perception has any credibility, every Honda Jazz on the road would be driven by an old lady or possibly by an old gentleman. Perception doesn’t always reflect reality though, so let’s just say that many a Honda Jazz is driven by a member of the older generation. It therefore came as something of a surprise to learn that Honda had recently injected their trusty Jazz with some hormones and slapped a Sport badge on its rump.

So it was that a Jazz 1.5 Sport swathed in a coat of rather attractive sky blue metallic paint and adorned with jet black alloy wheels recently turned up on my driveway ahead of a week-long assessment.

The Jazz can’t be confused with too many competitors because of its steeply-sloped, snubby nose, massive windscreen that continues the bonnet line into a tall roof which terminates abruptly at a vertical tailgate. It does though bear more than a passing resemblance to the second-generation Merc A-Class and for that very reason, it offers a most commodious interior in relation to the real estate it occupies.

That snubby nose forces a  cab-forward profile which in turn means that a very deep dashboard occupies territory normally reserved for bonnet metal. This feature in itself makes for an airy cabin and happily for those in the rear, the relatively long wheelbase liberates unusually generous space in  terms of kneeroom – and headroom, for that matter. Sadly, Honda has seen fit to skimp by excluding a centre armrest in the 60:40 split backrest which folds to increase luggage capacity from 359l to 889l, but those in the rear will find themselves better off than in almost any other car in the class

This is a most practical set of wheels for sure and if the backseat drivers are well accommodated, those in the front have no cause for complaint either, being provided with large, heavily-bolstered pews swathed in black cloth that’s visually lifted by orange stitching and a subtle pinstripe, the hue of which vaguely matches coppery-coloured trim inlays dotted around the cabin. I did note that the front centre armrest is set too low and that the door pockets are on the small side, albeit that oddments trays are plentiful along with a bevy of cupholders.

The orange and red flashes are clearly there to add a more sporty disposition to a cabin that’s otherwise rather black but which projects a pleasant environment, albeit that soft-touch surfacing is very much at a premium. Clever use of graining disguises the hard bits and other nice touches include a high quality black roof lining, decent carpeting and an informative triple-dial instrument cluster that’s curiously devoid of a temperature gauge.

Rear space is very good

A large, centrally-mounted infotainment screen is adorned with violent blue graphics (which don’t spoil the functionality of the unit) while air con is operated by mildly fiddly pushbuttons that are nonetheless clearly marked. Other niceties include air con, Bluetooth, electric mirrors and a smart steering wheel complete with multi-function buttons to control the cruise function as well radio reception and vehicle information tit bits.

If the overall interior execution is smart, the same can’t be said for the admittedly partly-hidden inner tailgate surround that’s completely devoid of any trim, not something I expect of a Honda. Other totally hidden items include front and curtain airbags and child seat anchors in the rear as well as the use of high grade steel in the body structure.

Externally, the Sport is distinguished by the aforementioned black alloys conservatively-shod with 185/55R16 rubber, by a large rear roof spoiler, black mirror housings, LED lamps, side skirts, a dummy rear diffuser and black vents and by front fogs and large black honeycomb air intakes sitting above a red, horizontal trim insert.

These add-ons certainly lift the Sport’s appearance, but the relatively deep sides of the Jazz make it look rather under-tyred. Maybe 17-inch rims would help the visual cause but doubtless spoil the ride.

External finish, including the paint, is mostly good but the narrow panel gaps around the doors are  not quite replicated around the bonnet and although those doors open and close with commendable precision, the acoustics that accompany this action are a tad hollow.

If Honda has succeeded in separating the Sport from its lower-ranking siblings in visual terms, how has it done in terms of the go factor? A high-compression, normally aspirated 1498cc motor provides the go and delivers 97kW@6 600rpm with a torque peak of 155Nm produced at a rather rapid 4 600 rpm.

If you know your stuff, you will have worked out that this motor likes its bum slapped to get the best out of it but to be absolutely blunt, its best intentions are ruined by the fact that it is coupled to a CVT transmission. In normal, low-demand running, the motor is quiet, smooth and therefore unobtrusive but as soon as the throttle is mashed into the carpet, its best intentions are restrained by that all-pervading feeling (or is it sound?) that a strong elastic band is holding it back.

In the most simple terms, the motor sounds as though it’s revving way faster than the progress would suggest but please be aware that this situation is only really evident when accelerating hard or when ascending hills, of which there are plenty in my area. At low throttle openings or on a motorway cruise, the gearbox is not an issue, but it sure does its best to dampen the spirits of a what is clearly a feisty and very willing engine that sipped fuel at the rate of 7.3l/100km over a week.

Sporty touches include black alloys, a large rear spoiler and a faux diffuser

The stats say the Sport will do the 0-100 dash in 9.8s and go on to a mildly disappointing but largely irrelevant 180km/h. For sure, this motor would be liberated by being coupled to a slick dual clutch box and in so doing, that Sport moniker would be so much more meaningful.

As for the ride, this Honda provides a decently compliant feel without ever feeling sloppy. Suspended on de-rigeur MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam axle at the rear, dips and crests are competently smoothed out but as is the wont of a torsion beam device, sharper irregularities can cause very mild hopping at the rear. Doubtless the conservatively specc’d tyres help with the ride and with absorbing some road generated noises which, along with wind disturbances, are pleasingly quelled overall.

Steering is effected courtesy of an electrically-assisted system that does its job with aplomb, offering a light feel in town and a firmer but not unduly artificial feel at speed. And the all-disc brake system failed to make an impression in my notebook which tells me that the system, complete with every braking aid known to man, delivers just fine without too much low speed assistance waiting to trigger snatchy low speed stops.

My week with the Jazz Sport was mostly enjoyable, especially as this Honda is comfy, well equipped, well mannered, easy to drive and incredibly spacious for a vehicle that occupies a smidgin over 4 metres of real estate. It is most unfortunate though, that as the sporting version in the Jazz range, its sporting edge should be blunted by the use of a CVT gearbox which even with shift paddles, does its best to disguise the latent spirit that clearly lurks within the engine bay.

Cabin is well-equipped and includes model-specific colour flashes