2017 Honda Jazz range review

What is it?

The Honda Jazz is the smallest car in the Japanese brand's range. The city car competes with the likes of Mazda2, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent.

Honda has two cars in the segment, the Jazz and City. The former is exclusively available as a five-door hatch while the City is a compact sedan.

This latest generation model was first launched in Australia in 2014 and continues to perform well for the brand. It was the fifth best-selling city car in 2016.

How many models can I choose from?

There are three Jazz variants to choose from - VTi, VTi-S and VTi-L.

All are powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is good for 88kW and 145Nm, but each is determined by equipment levels.

The VTi comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, cloth trim, a multi-angle reversing camera, a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a four-speaker sound system, CD player, Bluetooth, a pair of USB ports, an HDMI port and cruise control.

The VTi comes with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard but a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic is available as an option.

The VTi-S adds 16-inch alloys, climate control air-conditioning, premium cloth trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a six-speaker stereo.

The top-of-the-range VTi-L brings leather-appointed seat trim, heated front seats, rear parking sensors and keyless entry and ignition.

What do they cost?

VTi - $14,990 (man)/$16,990(auto)

VTi-S - $19,790

VTi-L - $22,490

*All prices exclude on-road costs.

Any options that I need to know about?

There are seven paint colours available for the Jazz, but only red is a standard colour. The rest are either metallic or pearlescent so add $495 to the cost.

Honda doesn't offer options for the Jazz, keeping the range simple, but you can choose from a number of accessories. Some of these are dealer-fitted extras and include the likes of black finished alloy wheels, floor mats, boot liners and roof racks.

Is it expensive to own?

The Jazz is covered by a capped price servicing scheme that the company calls Honda Tailored Service.

It requires more maintenance than many of its rivals, with service intervals set for every six months/10,000km instead of annually. Coupled with more expensive servicing costs than other alternatives (each visit cost more than $250) the price of maintaining a Jazz adds up.

Over the first three years it will cost a hefty $1896 to maintain, which is expensive for this end of the market.

Which is the most economical model?

As they share the same engine, all three models have the same claimed fuel economy figure of 5.8-litres per 100km. The only difference is the manual-equipped VTi is less economical, returning a claimed 6.2L/100km.

Which is the safest model?

All three models get the same six airbags (front, side and curtains), stability control, hill start assist and a multi-angle reversing camera while the VTi-L has the addition of rear parking sensors. None of them have automated emergency braking, forward collision warning or the latest in electronic driver aids.

Which is the best model to drive?

The Jazz drives the same in each trim level, with only a minor difference to the ride quality thanks to the different sized alloy wheels.

It may not be the most dynamic city car to drive but there is a lot to like about the Jazz. The engine offers respectable performance and the handling is responsive and predictable.

Should I buy one now?

Honda is currently doing drive-away deals on 2016-built Jazz models. In addition to paying for registration and compulsory third party insurance Honda will also throw in $500 worth of accessories.

A new generation Jazz isn't due until around 2019, so it should keep some of its value for a few years yet.

Where's the sweet spot?

Our pick is the basic VTi equipped with the CVT. It offers up all the important features - Bluetooth, USB ports, smartphone connectivity and a reversing camera - plus the biggest selling point of the Jazz, its spacious rear seats.

Honda calls them 'Magic Seats' and it isn't too far off base. The rear legroom in the Jazz is remarkable for a city car - more than capable of accommodating adults - and puts many small cars to shame, making it ideal for growing families.

You can spend more on the VTi-S and VTi-L but you're paying for luxuries you could probably live without.

• Interested in buying a Jazz? Visit our Honda showroom.