My new Jazz 2021 Hybrid EX was delivered 4 days ago. And Garmin Sat Nav etc.

[foxleys]

It’s early days, but I’m very pleased with it, drives like a larger car, comfortable seats - I’m 6’4” tall with plenty of leg and head room.

I was learning about the infotainment system and out of interest connected my car to my home WiFi network, just to see if the maps on the Garmin were current & they are.

It seems to be a once a year update, via 16gb (it must only be 16gb or updates may not work) usb memory stick, formatted to FAT32 on Garmin express.

Full instructions, click on below;

www.Honda.garmin.com/Honda

No updates are currently available, you just have to go and check above, every few months.

Make sure you select UK on the bottom left of the home page of above.

It seems updates are free for 5 years, from new I guess....or from when the first update is done?

Now, I need to learn how to use Android Auto, and get it working wirelessly from the kind post on here by Roman! I don’t fancy plugging in my phone every time I want to use Android Auto!

[Expatman]

When you get chance I would welcome your impressions on driving in different environments. Particularly, urban on our usual potholed roads and motorways cruising at a legal 70 MPH (or maybe a little over!!!). Refinement and ride comfort of particular interest.

[foxleys]

When you get chance I would welcome your impressions on driving in different environments. Particularly, urban on our usual potholed roads and motorways cruising at a legal 70 MPH (or maybe a little over!!!). Refinement and ride comfort of particular interest.

Hi, will do once I have had it for a couple of weeks.

I have a Nextbase dashcam & I’ll upload a short video soon.

Unfortunately as I live in Jersey I wouldn’t be able to comment on anything above 40mph - our speed limit here.

I doubt if I’ll be doing any motorway trips till next year, due to Covid.
But I’ll do a Jersey report soon.
Best & thanks.

[Jocko]

But I’ll do a Jersey report soon.

Look forward to it.

[Westy36]

+1 Be nice to 'go for a ride' on the Island with you. 

[Austriaman]

When you get chance I would welcome your impressions on driving in different environments. Particularly, urban on our usual potholed roads and motorways cruising at a legal 70 MPH (or maybe a little over!!!). Refinement and ride comfort of particular interest.

Had my Crosstar since last summer. It's great on the motorway, smooth and quiet, rides well. Long trip to Cornwall last year, 2 up and filled with luggage. Plenty of power if you need it. Good on sideroads, lumpy surfaces, although the Crosstar has slightly softer springs and a little extra clearance. Only small disappointment was that Honda don't provide traffic data in the UK, you have to use Android Auto for that. But very happy, would definitely buy another.

[Expatman]

Thanks for your impressions.
How did it do the Cornish hills? Some reviews have complained that the engine is very loud on hill climbs - and there are plenty of those in Cornwall - coming from Padstow I remember struggling up those hills on a pedal cycle!

[John Ratsey]

Some reviews have complained that the engine is very loud on hill climbs - and there are plenty of those in Cornwall - coming from Padstow I remember struggling up those hills on a pedal cycle!

However, loudness is subjective. I've previously commented that the engine is clearly audible under such conditions (but I wouldn't call it unpleasant although I've not had reason to explore the maximum power capability) as it's a contrast to normal operation when it's difficult to tell by listening whether the vehicle is powered by engine or battery.

[Expatman]

Thanks, some of the road tests imply that the engine noise going up hill is like revving the engine flat out in first gear with accompanying vibration. Always good to get users view because some road testers seem intent on finding fault by driving test cars in a way no owner would!

[Kremmen]

That's assuming they actually get a test car. I'll bet a lot read other reviews and rework them. I've seen some shockers over the years where they've clearly not been near the model reviewed.

[toolroomboy]

I was lucky enough to have a Crosstar as a courtesy car last week, and used it as a 3 hour test drive. My current car is a Mk3 Sport (CVT), which has been by far the most responsive Jazz I have owned. (5 in total - all CVT)
My concern was that the Hybrid model with its modest power rating would not be a match for the Sport. I need not have worried, I drove from West Cornwall to East Cornwall including all the hills that only the Sport has handled with relative ease and the Crosstar matched or bettered the Sport. I now have it on order.
General impressions are that in most other aspects it matches previous models, the one exception being the much improved dash. All digital speedo etc and centre console much much better, more responsive and easier to use whilst driving for sure.
Just a note on the much talked about engine noise under pressure. My experience of all CVT Jazz models is that if you want anything like a ‘performance’ car it will be rowdy when pushed hard. The Crosstar is no different. In 18 years of Jazz driving I have never had an issue, when a little bit of extra power is required, within reason it responds. In particular the Sports and Hybrid models.
If you want a powerful car that climbs hills fully loaded at max speed limit with no effort then don’t buy a Jazz!
Finally, a general comment. In 18 years I have averaged between 10 and 16k miles per annum using West/Mid Cornwall as my base, load usually me my wife + 2 terrier dogs or larger in cages + luggage, and have not had one occasion when the car let me down.
I also have been lucky that my main dealer (Rowes Honda Truro) have been excellent.

[Westy36]

Finally, a general comment. In 18 years I have averaged between 10 and 16k miles per annum using West/Mid Cornwall as my base, load usually me my wife + 2 terrier dogs or larger in cages + luggage, and have not had one occasion when the car let me down.
I also have been lucky that my main dealer (Rowes Honda Truro) have been excellent.

Fantastic! That's Honda reliability. 

Hope you enjoy your new Crosstar when it arrives.

[Expatman]

I was lucky enough to have a Crosstar as a courtesy car last week, and used it as a 3 hour test drive. My current car is a Mk3 Sport (CVT), which has been by far the most responsive Jazz I have owned. (5 in total - all CVT)
My concern was that the Hybrid model with its modest power rating would not be a match for the Sport. I need not have worried, I drove from West Cornwall to East Cornwall including all the hills that only the Sport has handled with relative ease and the Crosstar matched or bettered the Sport. I now have it on order.

Finally, a general comment. In 18 years I have averaged between 10 and 16k miles per annum using West/Mid Cornwall as my base, load usually me my wife + 2 terrier dogs or larger in cages + luggage, and have not had one occasion when the car let me down.
I also have been lucky that my main dealer (Rowes Honda Truro) have been excellent.

Thanks - a great review. I am not sure what vintage you are but me and my wife are both in our 70’s and find higher seated vehicles so much easier to enter and exit than most hatchbacks. Had my Yeti serviced today and got a Seat Leon as a courtesy car - drove fine but it was just too low for comfort, dropped into seat and had to climb out! How did you find the Crosstar for ease of access? Was it a case of simply sliding in and out or was there a drop into the seats and a climb out? Most important for my wife who has a back condition that makes bending and raising difficult.

[toolroomboy]

Regarding seat height etc, to be honest I wish it was a little higher, but my wife and I are in our early 70’s and she uses crutches. I checked with her regarding the passenger side access, and she found it on a par with our current mk3. The drivers seat (as pointed out elsewhere) does of course have some adjustment.
I would say the Jazz height sits somewhere between a full small SUV and a small hatchback, but I don’t have much personal experience on the subject.

[Expatman]

Regarding seat height etc, to be honest I wish it was a little higher, but my wife and I are in our early 70’s and she uses crutches. I checked with her regarding the passenger side access, and she found it on a par with our current mk3. The drivers seat (as pointed out elsewhere) does of course have some adjustment.
I would say the Jazz height sits somewhere between a full small SUV and a small hatchback, but I don’t have much personal experience on the subject.

Thanks - I guess we will have to wait to try the Crosstar for ease of access. Might wait until new HR-V is available (Summer/Autumn) then we can compare. Hate to order a Crosstar then find the HR-V is much better for access, on the other hand the Crosstar is a perfect size for us and I suspect the HR-V will be larger than we need. Decisions, decisions!