Mk5 Jazz will be a mini SUV (similar to the Yaris Cross)

[Jayt43]

In Europe, up until the end of June, Honda shifted just 11,678 examples of the Honda Jazz Mk4.

22k for the year would make it the poorest sales year EVER for the Jazz. And a far cry from the 87k shifted in 2005.

Even allowing for supply constraints (and Honda's claim that its higher showroom price gives better profit margins) this is a dire showing. Even in Japan sales have apparently been disappointing.

In contrast, 14,570 HRVs have been sold up until June (likely to be its best year since 2016 when sales totalled 33k)

Based on the above, I think something has to give. And that will be the form factor of the next Jazz. I predict its MPV shape will be replaced by a fully fledged Yaris Cross competitor. Next year the ZR-V will arrive, bridging a supposed gap between the HR-V and CR-V.

So, for me at least, a baby SUV will complete the line up better than a conventional hatch.

Thoughts?

[Westy36]

In Europe, up until the end of June, Honda shifted just 11,678 examples of the Honda Jazz Mk4.

22k for the year would make it the poorest sales year EVER for the Jazz. And a far cry from the 87k shifted in 2005.

Thoughts?

Ouch, not great figures. I hope they don't call it a day.

I rarely watch TV and never listen to commercial radio, but do Honda have any advertising in the UK? Can't be helping.

As you say, the SUV look is what people are buying. Honda would do well to SUV style and butch it up to appeal to more buyers, same as Toyota.

[Saycol]

So why didn’t they promote the Crosstar which does have small SUV looks?

[richardfrost]

So why didn’t they promote the Crosstar which does have small SUV looks?

Well because it doesn’t really, does it? An SUV? It is literally a Jazz with extra plastic and 15mm more suspension height.

[guest334]

Think about retail price in Japan for Fit & UK Honda £ there's something amiss...

[Jazzik]

I do like to drive around in an "exclusive" Honda Jazz Mk4 EX(ecutive)!
Two weeks holiday to the Netherlands, we drove a total of 3000 km. (1865 mi) and how many did I come across in Poland, Germany and the Netherlands?

Two!!!

In the Netherlands a Platinum White Pearl and a Premium Crystal Red Metallic in Germany.
Just as exclusive as a Ferrari or a Bentley (but certainly a lot cheaper and a lot more economical!).

[Saycol]

So why didn’t they promote the Crosstar which does have small SUV looks?

Well because it doesn’t really, does it? An SUV? It is literally a Jazz with extra plastic and 15mm more suspension height.

Toyota have managed to do it with the Yaris Cross. Using your description (amended), a Yaris with extra plastic and extra ride height. It often features in car comparisons of small SUVs. In my opinion Honda got their marketing wrong as the Crosstar wording and promotion was lifestyle, pictures of surfing etc. But by also labelling it Jazz this in the U.K. at any rate automatically associates it with the older driver, which won’t help sell them to younger people.

[richardfrost]

So why didn’t they promote the Crosstar which does have small SUV looks?

Well because it doesn’t really, does it? An SUV? It is literally a Jazz with extra plastic and 15mm more suspension height.

Toyota have managed to do it with the Yaris Cross. Using your description (amended), a Yaris with extra plastic and extra ride height. It often features in car comparisons of small SUVs. In my opinion Honda got their marketing wrong as the Crosstar wording and promotion was lifestyle, pictures of surfing etc. But by also labelling it Jazz this in the U.K. at any rate automatically associates it with the older driver, which won’t help sell them to younger people.

I don’t think that comparison works. The Yaris Cross looks substantially different, and is available as a 4x4. It’s  significantly longer, higher chunkier. https://uk.motor1.com/news/414861/yaris-vs-yaris-cross-differences/

[Pine]

I have just got back from a few days away.  In the hotel car park there was a Crosstar and a Yaris Cross parked next to each other.  The Crosstar was a shinny dark grey and it looked good in that colour.  Side by side the Yaris Cross looked a much bigger car.  It is also looks substantially bigger than standard Yaris and is obviously not just a jacked-up Yaris.  I have a Corolla and although the Yaris Cross is slightly shorter and narrower its extra height, raised bonnet and chunky appearance make it look bigger.  It also has a good sized boot. 

[Karoq]

I have heard rumours that Honda may be considering doing a 'Mitsubishi' & pull out of U.K.
The Ozzies also are worried for the same reason!

My dealer denies it of course. Personally I doubt it. Surely they would not be launching the new Civic and going on about their massive ;electrification' programme coming in '23 & '24.

It would be SO sad if they do.

I have seen a couple of MKiv Jazzs in the Poole area and only one HR-V eHEV.
Yet Horizon told me that have sold a couple of dozen HR-Vs. Of course not all live in Poole and I don't know what their other 3 branches have sold.

[RichardA]

I rarely watch TV and never listen to commercial radio, but do Honda have any advertising in the UK? Can't be helping.

They had an advert on the radio for the CR-V about its electric tailgate, like found on an Accord estate 20 years ago.

[Rory]

I have heard rumours that Honda may be considering doing a 'Mitsubishi' & pull out of U.K.
The Ozzies also are worried for the same reason!

My dealer denies it of course.

Our local dealer, Cheshire Oaks, added MG a while ago.

Who knows what would have happened if they'd done nothing, but Honda so messed up around here by firing the excellent Two Mills and Saunders in Chester and giving the franchise to Holdcroft.  Holdcroft were horrible to deal with on sales and even worse on service - we don't use them now and won't be buying another car off them, and with Honda dealers so thin on the ground now there isn't another choice of dealer.

We used to find ourselves in mini-convoys of Jazzs locally but they're a rare sight now, and I've only ever seen a couple of HRVs.

[Kremmen]

Before I bought the Jazz I looked at reviews and a consistent theme was that the Toyota 3 pot was noisier and coarser than the 4 pot Jazz.

Both were reviewed as 1.5

[richardfrost]

I have just got back from a few days away.  In the hotel car park there was a Crosstar and a Yaris Cross parked next to each other.  The Crosstar was a shinny dark grey and it looked good in that colour.  Side by side the Yaris Cross looked a much bigger car.  It is also looks substantially bigger than standard Yaris and is obviously not just a jacked-up Yaris.  I have a Corolla and although the Yaris Cross is slightly shorter and narrower its extra height, raised bonnet and chunky appearance make it look bigger.  It also has a good sized boot.

I had a good look at the Yaris Cross a couple of weeks ago when my RAV4 was in for servicing and MOT. It is actually surprisingly cramped inside, in my opinion, not helped by the very dark interior colour scheme and smaller glass area. It put me off as previously I was quite interested in this vehicle.

[Jazzik]

I had a good look at the Yaris Cross a couple of weeks ago when my RAV4 was in for servicing and MOT. It is actually surprisingly cramped inside.

...and then you forgot to mention that, besides that it is quite cramped especially in the back seat, the rear doors hardly open a crack. The front doors marginally better.
And that's no understatement: Try installing a child seat, not to mention filling that seat with an unwilling toddler. Good luck! That's a bit (or a lot?) more convenient in the Jazz...