Despite my earlier comment about doubting Honda would fit brakes inferior to their rivals i have a couple of theories
I have noticed on cars I have owned in recent years that my brake rotors (discs) dont seem quite as bright and shiny as some other cars appear to have. Still shiney, not rusty or scored, but just slightly darker in hue. This has applied not only to different makes of car - Toyota Yaris, Opel Corsa and Renault and the Jazz , but after many years of use both the Yaris and Corsa had replacment discs and pads made by Brembo. Or maybe its just my imagination , the 'grass ' is always shinier on the other side of the fence.
I suspect this is because I am habitually light on brakes , and the cars sometimes went long periods without use and get some surface rusting to the discs. The chosen brake pad material can make a difference. . Either they work immediately, but soft and wear out very quickly , or are harder and last longer but only reach full performance when hot. These extremes are fine for competition or sports use , but for normal road use they try to find a compromise between the two.
Could it be that because the Jazz hybrid uses regenerative braking much of the time (more or less depending on whether you use B or D ) So for some drivers it will take longer for any surface rusting to be cleared or for the brakes to heat up enough for full performance.
On the plus side the Jazz has emergency braking assist which in the event of you having to make a more rapid stop than usual increases the braking effect. This could be why Hicardo felt braking normally adequate, but sometimes improve. It may have influenced Honda in their prefered compromise in brake pad material. Also the journalists comparing the braking of various cars may not have experienced this effect or misinterpreted it as poor braking. You dont need powerful brakes except for the times you do need them.
Its helps to 'derust' your brakes from time to time , and I have recently discovered the best way is to pull the handbrake toggle switch up on the move - somewhere quiet . All four brakes apply so you dont lose control, and you can feel the rate of braking effect increasing.
I remain happy with the performance of my brakes.