Complete Guide to Buying a Pre-Owned Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz is a stylish, practical hatchback with a mix of outstanding performance and fuel economy. Whether driving in the city or out on the open road, the Jazz gives you a smooth, comfortable ride that makes you feel in charge and secure. It is among the best premium hatchbacks available today, alongside the Hyundai i20. 

There is a caveat, though. The Jazz has been discontinued in India due to BS6.2 and RDE norms, which remove the option of buying a new Jazz. 

With this in mind, does the Honda Jazz make sense today? Let’s dive into the reasons why you should consider purchasing a pre-owned Jazz and a few reasons why you shouldn’t in our buying guide.

Honda Jazz Specifications (Current Generation)

Pre-owned Honda Jazz Generations

Honda Jazz, along with the Hyundai i20, are pioneers of the premium hatchback segment in India. Launched in 2009, the Honda Jazz was ahead of its time as it came with luxury features like ‘magic seats’ that even put some sedans to shame. But the rising petrol prices and lack of awareness or interest in the premium hatchback segments were the main reasons behind the not-so-successful first take of the Honda Jazz in the Indian market.

The Second-Gen Honda Jazz launched in 2015 and became one of Honda’s most successful models. Bringing out the diesel variant did wonders for the Japanese manufacturer. Honda came out with one facelift in 2020 before discontinuing the model in India due to a lack of demand.

Generation 1: 2009-2015 Honda Jazz

Honda launched the Jazz in India with a 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that churned out 90 PS of power. Coming out at a time when most Indians preferred sedans, the Honda Jazz kickstarted the premium hatchback segment in India. With rich features like ‘magic seats,’ a spacious cabin, and other premium features, the Honda Jazz offered a better experience than quite a few sedans on the market at the time.

The ‘magic seats’ are a unique seat system that assists you in configuring the vehicle’s interior to your requirements. You have the ‘Tall Mode’, the ‘Long Mode’, and the ‘Utility Mode’. Each mode offers more room in one of the dimensions by folding the seats or getting them out of the way for cargo that a normal hatchback can’t transport. Then you also have ‘Refresh Mode,’ where you can fold the front seat back and recline the rear seat for more legroom and comfort. Invented in 2001, the magic seats have been quite a popular feature among car enthusiasts.

Generation 2: 2015-2020 Honda Jazz

The 2nd Gen Honda Jazz came out in 2015 with a very competitive price tag of Rs. 5.30 Lakh, which was significantly lower than its predecessor. Moreover, it also got a diesel variant and a CVT automatic transmission for the petrol variant with segment-first paddle shifters. Other premium features like a multi-information display cluster and auto a/c with a touchscreen panel made it a huge hit among Indian families.

Generation 2 Facelift: 2020-2023 Honda Jazz

The facelifted Honda Jazz came out with a new look, a cleaner engine, a better transmission, and more features than the second-generation Honda Jazz. With new stylish front bumpers, LED lights on the front and back, and a rear wing light, the Honda Jazz looked sleeker and bolder than its predecessor. The new Jazz ran on a 1.2-litre petrol engine that met the BS6 emission norms and lacked a diesel option that was available in the second generation.

Lastly, the new Honda Jazz was loaded with cutting-edge features like cruise control, push-button start, a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay that improved the overall experience of the car.

Why You Should Consider the Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz is quite distinct from other cars. It looks stylish and sophisticated because of its modern design. But the Jazz is more than just a pretty car; it is also extremely practical.
The spacious interior has plenty of space for people and things, making it an excellent car for families or anyone who needs a flexible car. The Jazz is also a very cutting-edge vehicle, with features like a touchscreen infotainment system and an extensive list of safety features.

Spacious and Versatile Interior

The Honda Jazz offers a spacious, comfortable interior, perfect for long journeys or daily commutes. Inside the Jazz, you’ll find a stylish and comfortable interior. The top models of the Jazz come with seats finished in leather, a three-spoke wheel, a central armrest, and door cards that are soft to the touch.

It comes equipped with features such as front-row adjustable headrests, adjustable steering, a multifunction steering wheel, a digital odometer, power steering, power windows, driver’s seat height adjustment, and automatic climate control. You also get a generous boot space of 354 litres.

These features combine to create an interior that is both visually appealing and comfortable to sit in.

Advanced Features

Its touchscreen infotainment system is at the heart of the Jazz’s advanced feature set. This system provides easy access to various navigation, entertainment, and connectivity options, allowing you to stay connected and informed on the go. So, whether you’re streaming your favourite music or getting directions to your destination, the Jazz’s infotainment system has you covered.

The Jazz’s advanced features don’t stop there. The car also comes equipped with various safety technologies designed to keep you and your passengers safe on the road. These include ABS with EBD, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, central locking, and two airbags. With these features at your disposal, you can confidently drive, knowing that the Jazz has your back.

Stellar Performance

The Honda Jazz truly excels when it comes to performance, driving experience, and fuel efficiency. At the core of its impressive performance is a four-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine that delivers 90 PS of power and 110 Nm of torque.

A couple of transmission options are available to make it convenient for everyone. Honda offers a five-speed manual and a seven-step CVT automatic for the Jazz.

In addition to its impressive performance and driving experience, the Jazz also provides excellent fuel efficiency. Honda claims that the Jazz delivers fuel efficiency of 16.6 kmpl with the manual gearbox and 17.1 kmpl with the automatic variant.

On the road, the Jazz delivers an engaging and enjoyable driving experience. The car’s advanced suspension system and responsive steering provide excellent handling and agility, allowing you to tackle winding roads with confidence and ease. Whether navigating tight corners or cruising on the highway, the Jazz delivers a smooth and comfortable ride that will leave you feeling in control.

Why You Should Not Consider The Honda Jazz

No car is perfect, and the same holds true for the Honda Jazz. Despite having several features that make it a good pick, it is better to weigh a few aspects before buying it.

Low Ground Clearance

Cars with a ground clearance of around 170mm are considered good for hatchbacks and sedans driving on Indian roads. But the ground clearance of the Honda Jazz is just 165mm, slightly below the average. This is why, although the Jazz is a decent choice for city roads and highways, you might have a rough driving experience on roads with their fair share of potholes and unevenly built speedbreakers. Lastly, if you end up on very rough or uneven roads, the low ground clearance can cause damage to the underbody, suspension, or car’s exhaust system, resulting in expensive repairs.

You can overcome these issues by tweaking the suspension system or switching things up with a larger tyre.

Discontinuation

Despite being discontinued, the availability of spare parts for the Honda Jazz shouldn’t be much of a problem for the time being, as it shares many parts with the Amaze.

But Honda Cars India’s decision to discontinue producing and selling its premium hatchback Jazz in the Indian market has had major implications for its resale value.

Low Resale Value

Another impact of the discontinuation of the Jazz is the drop in the car’s resale value. With the model no longer being produced and sold in India, the resale value of the Jazz will decrease over time. Moreover, due to the high maintenance costs and the gradual drop in the availability of spare parts, used car buyers will think twice before purchasing a used Honda Jazz.

Poor Rear Visibility

Due to the small design of the rear windscreen and the thick C-pillars, the Honda Jazz’s rear visibility is another point of concern. Honda’s attempt to improve the aerodynamics and spaciousness of the vehicle undermines the safety and convenience of the driver. The design increases the possibility of making mistakes while reversing and parking due to the blind spot.

Honda Jazz Variants

The Honda Jazz has a BS6-compliant 1.2-litre VTEC petrol engine that produces 90 PS and 110 Nm of torque. This motor pairs with a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT unit. The model is available in six variants, including V, VX, and ZX, further classified into manual and CVT transmission options.

Best Honda Jazz Variant To Buy

Out of all the variants of the Honda Jazz, the ZX variant offers the best features. LED lights make it stand out on the road, a sunroof that lets you enjoy the sky, and a cruise control that lets you relax on long trips. It also has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, which adds a touch of luxury. The Honda Jazz ZX also comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel that adds a touch of luxury to the car.

Summary

The Honda Jazz is a practical, stylish hatchback with superb performance, fuel economy, and safety features. It has a roomy and versatile interior with a touchscreen infotainment system and safety technologies, making it an ideal car for families or anyone who wants a flexible vehicle.

If it’s the Honda Jazz you’ve got your eyes on, this buying guide will assist you in navigating through various marketing tactics and staying focused on what truly matters to you.