Honda Jazz Crosstar | Test Drive

10 May 2021 Redazione News, Tested

HONDA JAZZ CROSSTAR

Words Tommaso Mogge / Photos Ian Waltteri

Good music does not need to change and Honda keeps playing healthy Jazz by turning into a small crossover one of the most loved and possibly the best city car on the market. It’s the Jazz Crosstar and completes the new range that only includes full hybrid units, all driven by the combination of a 1.5-liter petrol engine combined with two electric motors integrated into the eCVT gearbox, a continuously variable automatic transmission that is able autonomously manage the electric unit on the front axle and make the brilliant Honda a real EV that knows no mileage anxiety.

Let’s try to understand this a bit more, starting with the exterior, where we find lines that focus their attention on offering maximum space to the five occupants. You can see this from the bonnet with its reduced to the bone dimensions, the large glass surfaces that blend well with the two-tone bodywork and the intelligent pillars which, especially in the front three-quarters, facilitate a perfect view when approaching intersections. Slightly different argument for the rear area, because although the occupants will enjoy excellent leg and head room – the Jazz Crosstar is 4.04 meters long – visibility from the rear window is reduced and so is the space in the load compartment that compared to the previous generation drops from 354 liters to 298. The Crosstar is also characterized by an increased ground clearance compared to the traditional version, by bars located on the roof and plastic profiles that give it an overall younger look.

It is no secret that this is a very important model in the Honda lineup, a great little car designed mostly to simplify coexistence in the city, for families and more generally for all those who are looking for a practical, reliable way to move on four wheels full of storage compartments. In fact, it is precisely the dashboard that contributes to making the Jazz Crosstar truly convincing, with a modern yet clean design and two digital screens that puts everything you need at your fingertips. In this regard, the touch display located in the center of the dashboard is among the best in its category and boasts an excellent navigation system. Then we have the steering wheel with just two spokes, an unusual aesthetic choice but which rewards the courage of a different setting than usual, not to mention that the feeling of the same on the move is impeccable.

No more waiting, let’s move on to driving, because the Jazz Crosstar is the typical car that will travel several kilometers, possibly exploiting its hybrid capabilities with a total power of 109 horsepower and a maximum torque of 253 Nm to make it lively thanks to its low weight that stops the scale at 1,325 kg. However, the eCVT reminds you that the Jazz Crosstar prefers a quiet ride, maybe even using “Brake mode” and therefore recovering more energy during braking, or by selecting the Econ mode, which however does not penalize the air conditioning, let alone the precision that you feel behind the wheel. In addition to the countless storage compartments in which to place objects of any kind, the Crosstar offers the possibility of reclining the seats and creating spaces where and how you would not have thought possible, once again underlining a practicality that can satisfy any need.

With prices starting at € 22,500 for the standard Jazz and € 27,150 for the more youthful Crosstar, we are therefore talking about an interesting price/quality ratio, since we are facing a hybrid that knows how to behave like a 100% electric in the real world and especially for those movements that can avoid involving the internal combustion engine. The latter is however rather elastic and thanks to a considerable torque reserve it performs well even on longer stretches such as motorway trips, where we also noticed a good front seats comfort and an average consumption of 4.6 l/100 km which in the mixed cycle even drops to 3.9 l/100 km. In short, if you have a family, a dog and you like to empty your pockets as soon as you get on board, this can be the car for you.

HONDA JAZZ CROSSTAR Hev eCVT

Engine 4 cylinder Full Hybrid, 1.498 cc Power 109 hp @ 5.500 rpm Torque 253 Nm @ 4.500 rpm

Traction Front Wheel Drive Transmission eCVT Automatic Gearbox Weight 1.325 kg

0-100 kph 9,9 sec Top Speed 173 kph Price from € 27.150