Next-gen Honda Jazz here next month

HONDA’S safer and more fuel efficient third-generation Jazz hatch arrives in Australian showrooms next month, with a simplified model line-up and priced from $14,990 plus on-road costs.

Three variants have been removed from the popular light hatch line-up, and the new streamlined range will be offered in three specifications - an entry-level VTi, mid-spec VTi-S and range-topping Vti-L.

While the current line-up consists of a number of variants including the base GLi, VTi, VTi-S, Vibe, Vibe S and Hybrid, Honda says it has only been offering the Vibe, Vibe S and Hybrid in recent months.

The $14,990 opening price for the manual VTi matches the price of the previous base GLi, although when compared to the most recent line-up, which started with the Vibe, it represents a $1000 drop from the comparable variant’s $15,990 price.

Honda’s base pricing means the Jazz kicks off for less money than a number of key rivals, including the Ford Fiesta Ambiente ($15,825), Mazda2 Neo ($15,790), five-door Toyota Yaris YR ($15,690) and Suzuki Swift GL ($15,990), but matches the Holden Barina CD price.

Replacing the manual in the VTi with Honda’s new Earth Dreams continuously variable transmission (CVT) adds $2000 for a total of $16,990, which is $1000 lower than the equivalent Vibe.

The mid-spec VTi-S – along with the rest of the Jazz range – is available with a CVT as standard and is priced from $19,790, which is a $1200 drop when compared with the current-shape VTi-S or $950 less than the Vibe S.

A new range-topping VTi-L has been introduced from $22,490, while metallic paint can be optioned on any variant for an extra $495.

Honda has confirmed the current version of the Jazz Hybrid – launched locally early last year – will continue to be sold alongside the new model, before the new-gen version of the petrol-electric runabout arrives sometime next year.

While the 1.3-litre engine has been ditched from the range, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol unit remains and continues to produce the same 88kW and 145Nm output.

Replacing the previous five-speed automatic transmission with the new CVT – developed using Honda’s Earth Dreams technology – has cut fuel economy considerably, from 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle, to 5.8L/100km.

Manual gearbox versions are also more fuel efficient, using 6.2L/100km compared to the 6.4L/100km of the outgoing version.

On the safety front, Honda has included six airbags, a three-mode reversing camera, an emergency stop signal, hill-start assist and Vehicle Stability Assist all as standard fare.

While further specifications will be announced closer to launch, the Jazz features the now famous Magic Seats that can be shifted and folded in 18 different configurations, as well as the Display Audio system with a seven-inch colour touchscreen as seen in the Odyssey MPV and City sedan.

Top-spec VTi-L variants also gain leather appointed trim, rear parking sensors and heated front seats.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said that the Jazz is one of the company’s core models in Australia, alongside the CR-V SUV and Civic sedan and hatch range.

“The Jazz is one of Honda’s most important and successful models, not only in Australia but around the world,” he said. “In Australia, the Jazz has sold almost 98,000 units since it was first introduced back in 2002, cementing it as one of our core models.”

The third-gen Jazz follows the launch of the mechanically related City light sedan that arrived in Australia last month from $15,990 plus on-roads.

While Jazz sales have dropped by 35 per cent to 1815 units for the first five months of this year compared to last year, the City has lifted by 123 per cent in that period with sales of 660 units.

2014 Honda Jazz pricing*

VTi	$14,990
VTi (a)	$16,990
VTi-S (a)	$19,790
VTi-L (a)	$22,490

*Excludes on-road costs.