Honda Jazz Gets Electrified

Gail Alcabaza on Feb 14, 2020

The Honda Jazz, also known as the Honda Fit in other markets, has been around for quite some time. Since its debut in 2001, this 5 door hatchback is known for providing efficiency, comfort and reliability for its owners.

For the first time ever, the latest edition of the Honda Jazz will be sold exclusively with an advanced hybrid powertrain. Across Europe, at least.

“The all new Honda Jazz provides an effortless driving experience with efficient and responsive performance delivered by e:HEV hybrid technology as standard. The all new compact car offers the most compelling package in its segment, combining increased occupant comfort, intuitive technology, with seamless in-car connectivity and remote services that seamlessly integrate with occupants' everyday lives. The all new Jazz e:HEV plays a key role in Honda’s commitment that 100% of its mainstream European sales will feature electrified powertrains by 2022. The car will be available across Europe in summer 2020,” states Honda in their press release.

The all new Jazz will be carrying the new e:HEV badge. The hybrid system is exclusively developed for the Jazz and engineered to deliver an enjoyable driving experience. The powertrain combines two powerful electric motors connected to a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine, producing a total output of 107 hp. There is also a lithium-ion battery and a fixed-gear transmission via an intelligent power control unit.

The said engine can make the car go from a standstill to 100 kph in about 9.4 seconds, almost as fast as a 2019 Jeep Renegade Limited 4x4. The e:HEV Jazz can reach speeds of up to 170 km/h.

Clever Packaging for Unrivalled Space

The overall design of the new Jazz remains similar to its predecessors. It retains the one-box MPV shell that the Jazz is famous for. The front fascia features a pair of slightly larger LED headlights and a redesigned grille.

Honda’s engineers worked closely with the design team to ensure the car retained the class-leading levels of interior space that was the hallmark of previous generations. The luggage capacity (with rear seats up) starts from 298 liters of space and goes up to a massive 1203 liters with the rear seats folded down.

New Intuitive Connectivity

The all new Honda Jazz is also equipped with seamless in-car connectivity that allows owners to connect to their everyday lives with ease. The user friendly LCD touchscreen interface is designed to minimize driver distraction. The infotainment services include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi Hotspot service, access to weather updates, parking locations, navigation, and telephone services.

Honda Personal Assistant

The unique Honda Personal Assistant can be easily activated by saying “OK Honda” then followed by the question or instruction. An abstract face animation in the LCD screen accompanies the humanized response and visually acknowledges interactions. The personal assistant also enables real time search function, with context, to locate services that are available at specific times, like the nearest restaurant or gas station.

'Honda SENSING' Active Safety Technology

The all new Honda Jazz comes standard with advanced safety tech features. A newly developed front wide view camera enhances the driver’s field of vision, Honda‘s Collision Mitigation Braking System has been improved with night-time operation to detect pedestrians and cyclists in the dark, and now applies the brakes to avoid a collision when the car cuts across or turns into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist System are also available as standard, along with Road Departure Mitigation System, a feature which aids the driver to stay on the road by alerting the driver when the system detects that the vehicle may be straying, crossing a detected lane marking or approaching the outer edge of a pavement or oncoming vehicles. There are also 10 airbags all around the cabin.

It is not known yet whether or not the said e:HEV variant of the Jazz will be gracing the Philippine shores, but as electric vehicles become more and more common, it’s a safe bet that we will be getting more EV options as time goes by.