Honda Jazz (2001 – 2008) Review
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Honda Jazz (2001 – 2008) At A Glance
Clever interior redefined the small car. Most space efficient small car built. Very reliable first 3 - 4 years.
Manuals can suffer transmission bearing wear. Eight plugs and coils of iDSI engine add up to £800. Suspension harsh.
The Honda Jazz was Japanese Car of the Year 2001 and remained the best-selling car in Japan for many years, finding 20,000 new owners every month and 36,000 more on the waiting list. Its 'magic seats' interior put it ahead of the entire crop of new small cars. It still beats everything else on versatility, economy, specification and price. Just like the Model T Ford in 1909 and the Mini in 1959, it was (and still is) the right car at the right time.
If you're looking for the newer version, you need our Honda Jazz review.
Reviews for Honda Jazz (2001 – 2008)'s top 3 rivals
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Honda Jazz (2001 – 2008) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.2i to 1.4i
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 34–58 mpg
Honda has also come up with an entirely new chain-cam engine for the car. Called i-DSI, it uses two valves and two spark plugs per cylinder to provide a combination of low speed torque, performance and economy that no one else can match either. Just look at the figures: zero to sixty in 11.7 seconds, top speed 106 mph and a combined economy figure of 49.6mpg.
Even the urban figure is nearly 41mpg and on a run nearly 60mpg is possible. Naturally enough, this gives the car a low CO2 output of 134g/km which will keep it in the lowest VED class of £100 pa for years to come, and also makes it a very sensible choice for company car drivers. On top of that, insurance is in a rock-bottom Group 3E. And, oh yes, the starter price is just £8,995 on the road with a three-year 80,000-mile warranty. For that sort of money, Ford hopes to get you into a 5-door Fiesta with a 1.3 litre engine that dates from the 1970s.
So what's this paragon of virtues like to drive? The seats are comfortable. It has a snicky, neat and positive gearshift. There are useful trays, cubbies and cupholders everywhere to hold all your bits and pieces. The steering is light without being too light. The ride is a bit stiff. The gearing is a tad short for the motorway. And the handling is, to use a weaselly word, 'assured'. Just don't expect bagfuls of fun.
Okay, if it was a hoot to drive, every other manufacturer would have no choice but to wander off into the sunset and shoot themselves. I would guess that the new SEAT Ibiza is going to run away with the 'fun fun fun' accolade. (The new Fiesta certainly hasn't.) But the Jazz plays a different tune. It does the job. It's neat, tidy and safe. (Honda is expecting a four-star NCAP crash safety score, by the way.) But it's no boy racer.
And to most people on our traffic-clogged, Gatso infested roads, that's no problem at all. The only difficulty Honda is going to have will be supplying enough cars to meet the demand.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|
Real MPG average for the Honda Jazz (2001 – 2008)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
92%
Real MPG
34–58 mpg
MPGs submitted
304
Honda Jazz (2001 – 2008) interior
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3845 mm |
| Width | 1675 mm |
| Height | 1525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450 mm |
So how did Honda move the goalposts and wrong-foot everyone else? The first thing they did was move the petrol tank. Instead of putting it under the back seats, they put it under the front seats. That enabled them to scoop much more interior space out of the floorpan. And, with an average five-year model cycle, it isn't something anyone else can catch up with until they design their next car from scratch.
Honda didn't stop there. They also thought very hard about exactly how they were going to use all that space, and came up with a concept so clever they call it 'Magic Seats'. Where with an ordinary car you can break your fingernails and give yourself a hernia rearranging the seats to carry something, with the Jazz all you do is press a button on the front seat back, then flop down the rear seat, headrest and all, in one simple movement. Flop down both seats and you create a cavern in the back with a perfectly flat floor.
But that's only the start, because Honda has another trick up their sleeve. Lift the rear seat squabs and you create an entirely different type of luggage space, bang in the centre of the car. Somewhere to put something tall and awkward, like a house-plant, or a bicycle, or a wolfhound. To fold it back again, just pull out the legs and drop it down. Either side or both sides. It's that easy. More to the point, its exactly what I want and what you want. With the Magic Seat system, Honda has left every other manufacturer scratching their heads.
Honda Jazz (2001 – 2008) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3845 mm |
| Width | 1675 mm |
| Height | 1525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | - |
| Boot Space | - |
| Warranty | |
| Servicing | - |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £9,217–£12,310 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | - |
| Official MPG | 49.6–51.4 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2i S 5dr | £9,217 | - | - |
| 1.4i SE 5dr | £11,310 | - | - |
| 1.4i SE 5dr Auto | £11,310 | - | - |
| 1.4i Sport 5dr | £12,310 | - | - |
| 1.4i Sport 5dr Auto | £12,310 | - | - |
Model History
June 2001
The first giant step forward in small car design since the original 1959 Mini. Entirely new one box model on sale in Japan from June 2001. 3,830mm (12 ft 7in) long x 1,675mm (5 ft 6in) wide (1,878mm mirror tip to mirror tip) x 1,525mm (5ft 0in) high.
By December 2001 already Japan's best selling car. Replaced the lacklustre Logo and arrived in the UK early in 2002, providing stiff competition for the Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, Citroen C3, Nissan Micra, Renault Clio, Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Yaris and Daihatsu YRV.
Features chain-cam 1,339cc 8 valve DSI engine technology. (Dual and Sequential Ignition System comprises two spark plugs per cylinder in a compact combustion chamber where sequential ignition results in low CO2 emissions and excellent fuel economy.
1.4 (1,339cc) I-DSI petrol manual: 61kW (83PS) at 5,700rpm / 119 Nm (88 lb ft) torque at 2,800rpm.
Despite compact dimensions, the one-box cab-forward design makes it look quite big. Luggage volume is 353 litres to the parcel shelf with the rear seats up (more than the Fiesta) and a huge 1,323 litres with the seats down. Chain cam engine puts out 61kW (82bhp) at 5,700rpm and 119Nm (88 lb ft) torque at a low 2,800 rpm. Combined economy is 49.6mpg and CO2 output 134g/km. Engine is optimised for ordinary 95Ron Premium unleaded petrol. Insurance is low Group 3E.
Mounting the fuel tank in the centre of the car under the front seats and using a new H-shaped torsion beam rear axle allows for an unusually low cabin floor. The short nose also allows more interior space which is equivalent to many C sector sized cars.
The 66/33 split rear seats can each be fully folded into the floor with headrests in place, providing a completely flat loadspace 1,740mm (5ft 9in) long. And by sliding the front passenger seat fully forward, then completely reclining it, objects as long as 2,400mm (7ft 10in) will fit.
The versatile rear seat squabs can also be tipped up and locked against the seat backs creating a central luggage area ideal for a dog to be carried. Height of this area from floor to ceiling is 1,280mm (4ft 2"), enough for small children to stand up and change clothes after an afternoon on the beach.
Prices: £8,995. £10,295 and £11,295.
August 2002
CVT-7 from August 2002 at £900 extra has seven steering wheel paddle shift selectable ratios. Much liked by readers who have bought one.
Later available with a well-integrated body colour side-protection strip. Voted Auto Express 2002 Car of the Year.
Available from July 2002 in wider choice of colours including Iris Red (pink); Orchid Yellow, Clover Green, Ice Blue metallic and Nighthawk Black pearl.
March 2003
Revised 2003 models with better suspension and CD players arrived March 2003 but only with CVT-7 transmission. Revised suspension manuals delayed until May 2003.
110PS 1.5 VTEC version in Japan and Australia, and also Thailand and Malaysia from Spring 2004. Comes with CVT-7 as standard. (6th picture shows a customised Jazz 1.5 in Thailand, where the Jazz is regarded as a young people's car.)
April 2004
Upgrade from Spring 2004. All now fitted with four wheel disc brakes, ABS, handy seat folding lever and two sets of alarm remotes.
October 2004
Facelifted inside and out for 2005 (on sale 6-10-2004) with option of new 1,247cc entry engine and more colours. Revised range comprises 1.2 S, 1.4 SE and 1.4 Sport grades (replacing the current 1.4 S / SE / SE Sport line up), with the entry price point starting at £8,600.
1.2 (1,246cc) I-DSI petrol manual: 57kW (77PS) at 5,700rpm / 110 Nm (81 lb ft) torque at 2,800rm
With a 1,247 cc petrol engine serving up 78 PS, the 1.2 offers performance similar to the larger i-DSi unit: 0-60 mph in 13.4 sec and top speed 106 mph. Also fuel economy of 51.4 mpg in the EU combined test, with CO2 emissions very low for a petrol engine at 129 g/km. 1.2 model also benefits from redesigned front and rear bumpers plus metallic garnish for the fascia controls.
Bigger changes for the SE and Sport grades which feature new headlamp and rear light cluster designs, door mirror-mounted LED indicators and new style 15 in alloy wheels (previously the SE had 14 in steel rims). Inside, SE and Sport models have new textured seat fabric, self-illuminating instrument dials similar to the Accord, and a new sporty steering wheel. Also a new stereo system with steering wheel mounted remote controls, outside temperature gauge, chrome handbrake button and, on CVT models, steering wheel mounted paddles in place of buttons (left paddle used to change down, right to change up).
1.4 Sport now has its own look with sport front grille, unique alloy wheels, stylish body kit plus front foglights, automatic climate control air conditioning and digital display as well as black interior trim. Four new colours are introduced to the Jazz range for the 2005 YM, including Sirius Blue, Macha Crame (green) and Venus Orange metallics, plus Helios Yellow pearlescent. Over the years, steering and handling has been much improved. 2006 models fun to drive. SE as well as Sports now have electric folding door mirrors.
What to watch out for
Honda recommends change of CVT fluid every 25,000 in "severe driving conditions" which includes regular driving less than 5 miles from cold otherwise CVT trouble can result. There is a new, improved CVT fluid for the box, which requires the old fluid to be flushed out first. Cost should be no more than £150, though there have been stories of quotes of £400.
High cost of servicing. Valve/cam clearances cannot be checked without removing the inlet manifold, adding £80 to the cost of a service. 2nd annual service can cost £430 including a new set of front pads.
Batch of faulty EGR valves eventually caused jerky running on early Jazz models. Replaced FOC. EGR valves can also block if cars are used a lot in traffic or for short runs from cold and this leads to jerky running.
Make sure the a/c works as compressors have been known to fail.
Can have a manual transmission selector problem. Some cars have needed new manual gearboxes. Manual transmission bearing failures on 3 to 5 year old Jazz well known in 2007 and extremely common by late 2009. Dealers quote £1,400 for a full rebuild. Seems that Honda will repair some (not all) post 2003 cars FOC or provide some goodwill if pressed, but not cars built before 2003 as they say these cars did not have the problem. Even the new 2008 Jazz has a problem. If the transmission becomes noisy Honda is asking owners to leave it to 6,000 miles, then changes the transmission oil.
On early Jazz a clicking noise heard when turning left in 2nd gear may be due to the reverse shift holder ball bearing being contaminated and partially seized, causing the reverse idler gear to not return to neutral. Shifting into 2nd gear causes the reverse idler gear to touch the countershaft reverse gear. This problem has been known by Honda since 2002, and resulted a stronger reverse shift holder being fitted to later models. Repairs to early Jazz may be quoted at around £730.
Two complaints within a few days of each other of rear doors letting in water, possibly through waterproof membranes cracked by frost.
In 2006 one reader suffered front damper and steering rack failure on an early 02 Jazz costing £1,600 to fix. Honda paid half.
Owners of grey import Jazz/Fit CVT-7s built between 5 June and 23 October 2003: the CVT belt may break, resulting in transmission failure. This problem was the subject of three separate recallsin the Far East, New Zealand and Australia. If the problem has been fixed in Japan there will be yellow paint on the left bonnet hinge bolt.
Several complaints of prematurely failed rear wheel bearings on Jazz over 4 years old.
Where fitted with rear disc brakes, complaints of parking brakes not holding the car on temporary stops in traffic.
'Piston slap' reported on Jazz 1.4 I-DSIs from 2005 at around 3 years old.
New electric window switch panel £196 + £63 to fit.
Dodgy rear door seals common resulting in wet carpets in rear footwell and consequent misting of windows.
20-07-2011:New clutch and clutch hydraulics required on 3 year old at 30k miles.
01-08-2012:Wheel bearings can fail after about 8 years.
28-12-2012:Report of 6 year old Jazz needing a complete new set of locks after they all became sticky and eventually failed. Cost £576.
13-01-2013:Nice story: 2004 Jazz CVT suffered transmission judder cured by change of Automatic Transmission Fluid under warranty at 3 years old. In January 2013 suffered same problem and, remarkably, Honda footed the bill for a second change of ATF, which cured it.
22-06-2013:Report of ABS failure on 60k mile 2004 Jazz 1.4.
13-06-2014:Airbag SRS failure reported on 7 year old Jazz. Quoted £600 by Honda dealer to fix. Apparently a growing issue and big recall looming in the USA: Honda SRS Airbag US Recall.
14-08-2014:Hot re-starting problem reported with 2008 Jazz 1.4 I-DSI. Somtimes starts if key is removed and a 2nd start attempted. Immobiliser fault suspected, falining battery in remote key, or separation of a contact due to heat.
24-03-2015:Report that airconditioning of 160k kilometre 7 year old Honda Jazz used in Italy freezes up and gets blocked with ice after 2-3 hours and 120kilometres.
02-07-2015:Transmission bearings of 2005 Jazz 1.4iDSI failed at 40k miles.
21-11-2015:The Honda Jazz 1.4iDSI engine has 8 spark plugs and 8 ignition coils so replacing them all is an £800 job at a Honda dealer.
08-08-2016:Electromagnetic clutch failure reported on 2008 Jazz 1.4iDTEC CVT-7. Quoted £945 to replace by Honda dealer.
12-01-2018:Report of failure of weld/seal between roof section and side panels of a 35k miles 2006 Honda Jazz leading to water draining into the spare wheel well. Quoted £180 to to check and seal the rear of the roofbar gutter C pillar roof joint. Then check for cracks where the hatchback is hinged onto the car roof.
04-05-2018:Report of steering rack failing on 2008 Honda Jazz 1.2 Mk 1. Estimated cost of replacing with aftermarket parts £600 + labour; with a Honda rack £800 + labour. But car only worth about £1,500.
14-05-2018:CVT transmission of 2006 Honda Jazz eventually starting to fail with occasionally hesitant changes. Replacement of the CVT fluid did not cure it.
18-06-2018:Another report of 1st gen 2006/56 Jazz suffering the same leak as 12-1-2018. Honda dealer charged £120 to "find water leaking through the roof seals, cleaned out original sealant, resealed and repainted."
07-02-2019:Another solution to water ingress to the rear of Mk 1 Jazz: "From the rear of the vehicle peel back a few inches of the roof rail rubber and open the rear hatch fully. You might see a very thin crack in the end of both roof rail gullies. Working under cover and using a hair dryer completely dry this area and smear a waterproof silicone over the cracks and allow to dry and replace rubber. Rain water had been running from these cracks down both sides of the rear hatch door frame face and into the spare tyre well.
14-04-2019:Further description of the rear waterleak and the solution: "Water collecting in the spare wheel well, and couldn’t find the source. Then a Google search suggested failed mastic in the spot welded seams that join the roof panel to the side panels, just inboard of the tops of the doors. These seams are covered by black plastic strips. The strips easily prise out, and cracks appear in the mastic between the metal edges. Fill these with new mastic, the paint over the new mastic. No more leaks.
30-04-2019:Manual transmission bearing noise reported in recently purchased 2005 Honda Jazz at 88,000 miles.
