I thought from the photos on HJ's review (the look 50 profile or less, but it is at an angle) and on Honda's website they are different, still 55 profile, but 185/55 R16. Probably not much of an issue if the are as the Honda website, though replacing tyres of that specific size combo will be expensive - I checked on Blackcircles and the 185/55 R16 is rare (limited number available) and expensive as a result - almost twice the price of 205/55 R16 tyres. I suspect the ride should be fine though.
I too think that the 'Sport' badge is more of a marketing ploy for many makes these days, but my conern always was that they limit the tyre and wheel combo to low profile ones and/or needlessly limit the choice of them and thus you only get a harsh ride. Might be worth a look next time I change cars.
Sounds like the extra power doesn't come with extra torque, given many 1.5 N/A petrol engined cars develop about 80hp to 115hp, so this one probably needs to be thrashed to get the most of out it. In some ways, that actually OK as 115hp (as in the Mazda2) is fine for that size of car to still be very nippy indeed. Given I've been spolit for handling with my Mazda3, I'll defintely want to put such a car thorugh its paces to check how it handles in comparison.
I've driven a few other cars for the odd day or so since I bought my Mazda, and its not a good feeling when you drive a car that is inferior in the handling department. Hopefully the Jazz has improved enough for this to be the issue it was when I test drove the mk1 and that time I bought my Mazda.
Thanks for the intial review - please keep us up-to-date with more if you can.
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