It's been three weeks since I took delivery of my new Jazz Hybrid and I'm very pleased with this car, it's exceeding all my expectations. I've only done about 600kms but I thought I'd write a few observations.
The Good
very high standard of finish and engineering all round
excellent seats for comfort, adjustability and foldability
despite running-in, I'm getting nearly 59mpg
engine auto-stop works great
totally silent motor at low speed
huge door mirrors, no blind spots on drivers side
ultra smooth CVT gearbox and I like the paddle controls
significant performance difference between D and S modes
clear visible instruments and computer display
excellent dynamic info on use of fuel/electric power
it's early days but it seems to have plenty of overtaking power
still plenty of acceleration in reserve at motorway speeds
superb panoramic sun roof, especially for rear passengers
huge comprehensive owners handbook
excellent leg and head room front and rear
firm suspension, precise light steering handles like a big go-kart
very effective auto air conditioning tested at 37°C today
front windscreen wipers very good swept area
The not quite so good
tyre/road noise high compared to mechanical noises
door mirrors so big they're vulnerable to damage
lots of interior stowage holes but mostly too small to be useful
bizarre double locking door system
no option to automatically lock the doors when being driven
no 12 volt sockets for rear passengers
sound system USB only works with iPhone, not Android
storks like windscreen wipers totally obscured by steering wheel
no front passenger arm rest
rear windscreen wiper, poor swept area
This car is meeting/exceeding all my expectations of it. I was worried a small engine automatic would not work out well but the performance of the CVT is as good as any auto I've ever had even with 4 litre engines. I'm delighted with the hybrid which I think gets a bad rap in the UK from road test journalists. It's true to say the economics don't quite stack up but this misses lots of other advantages. the IMA delivers real punch when you need it to help out the tiny 1.3 litre engine. the hybrid system really helps to make this car a delight to drive. The hybrid function is entirely automatic with very sophisticated control programmes looking after its complete operation. However, it's fascinating to watch it all happening, I thought I would enjoy this feature and I already wouldn't want to be without it. A hybrid may not be to everyone's tastes but if you like automatic gearboxes and low fuel consumption, don't rule one out just because the payback is too slow. It makes the car fun to drive.
Auto-Stop feature, now this took a bit of getting used to. Most of the time it works out fine at traffic lights but roundabouts are more of a problem. When you need to time your arrival just right to slip into that small gap, the engine cut-out can leave you getting embarrassed as that extra seconds delay is just enough to miss that gap you wanted. However, you can avoid this by stopping the auto-stop feature by selecting S as you approach the roundabout. The S mode both increases engine breaking and disables the auto-stop feature. You also need to use S mode when manoeuvring into a parking space to stop the engine cutting out multiple times as you park. Before I discovered S mode disables auto-stop, I found the engine cutting out quite a problem. I did read that the Honda Fit supplied to the USA does not have auto-stop as it's use seems controversial, I'm pleased it's on the EU version now that I know how to control it.