The Honda Jazz has a new range-topping Sport trim model with new styling tweaks, more power and very good looks. It replaces the current Dynamic derivatives. The new Honda Jazz Sport is no hot hatch, but with its more dynamic styling, more powerful engine featuring Earth Dreams technology and real benefits in both fuel economy and exhaust emissions terms, it will no doubt have greater appeal to younger buyers.

The Jazz Sport is easily recognized by its new front-end, featuring a sleeker grille design with gloss piano black and chrome elements, framed by slim LED headlights with LED daytime running lights. Gloss-black exterior mirror housings are standard. An all-new, sculpted front bumper houses integrated fog lamps with black surrounds, while a new, more prominent front splitter with red pin-striping adds further Type R-inspired appeal. From the sides, the smoothly sculpted sill extensions between the front and rear wheel arches, the steeply raked windscreen, the sculpted flanks, short overhangs, and sloping roofline of the Jazz, give it a sleek appearance with improved aerodynamics, and the test car was fitted with 16-inch Berlina black alloy wheels shod with Bridgestone Turinza low profile 185/55 R16 tyres, with the space saver spare located under the boot-board.

The rear end looks rather busy. The addition of a bold rear spoiler, as well as a three-strake diffuser with an upper trim line mirroring the same red detailing as the front splitter, and the rear roof mounted “B” sting antenna mates up with the audio system. The tailgate opens all the way down to the integrated bumper which makes for easier loading and unloading.

As the new flagship of the range, the Jazz Sport features an extensive array of standard luxury, convenience and safety features. A new, soft-padded dashboard adds a touch of sophistication to the interior’s sporty aura. Comprehensive instrumentation is augmented by a seven-inch touch-screen display that controls the infotainment system – including a CD receiver with six loudspeakers, Bluetooth-driven hands-free telephony, and USB and HDMI connections. It is also linked to the rear-view camera. Also standard are multifunction controls on the leather-trimmed steering wheel, a center armrest, height-adjustable driver’s seat, and electrically adjustable and folding exterior mirrors, finished in gloss black. The Jazz Sport is fitted with electric windows front and rear, as well as cruise control, automatic air-conditioning, a tilt and reach-adjustable steering wheel and rear parking sensors.

The Jazz Sport’s black-hued cockpit has been revised to match the more extrovert exterior treatment, which also reflects its elevated status. A comprehensive array of comfort and convenience features are standard, while Type R-inspired detailing includes red accents and stitching, as well as racy alloy pedals. Thus, the Type R-inspired red accent theme is carried over to the interior, encompassing red stitching on the seats, the console-mounted armrest and aluminum Sport pedals, while the upgraded audio system features six loudspeakers. Also reminiscent of the Type R is the keyless entry system and push-button start.

The cloth upholstery in the new Honda Jazz is quite sporty and looks to be hard wearing, and the leather finishes for the gearshift knob and steering wheel rim, adds to the ambiance. There are five headrests, three on the rear seat backrest indicating it has been designed by Honda for three adults, which is fine for short distances, but for longer journeys, two would be more comfortable. There are also four grab handles to assist in getting in and out the vehicle. Inside, the new Jazz is longer than before, making a lot more rear legroom and distance between the front passengers, while cargo capacity with rear seats in the upright position measures 359 litres. However, the rear seatback is split 60:40 and when folded down, load capacity is expanded to 889 litres. Storage for oddments is provided for in the cubby hole, a map pocket behind the passenger front seat, four door pockets, and a few small cavities.

Like the original Jazz that launched more than a decade ago, the new model offers the best versatility of any car in its class. The “star of the show” however, is without a doubt Honda’s ‘magic’ seats that are-able-to fold in 18 different configurations, allowing for enormous cargo carrying space in the maximum setting.

But, the biggest change is that this new flagship Jazz comes with an all-new 1 497cc 1.5-litre I-VTEC engine featuring Earth Dreams Technology. The four-cylinder, dual overhead camshaft engine is exclusive to this model in the Jazz line-up and makes use of direct injection and intelligent variable valve timing and lift. Maximum power output is 97 kW at 6 600 RPM and maximum torque of 155 NM at 4 600 RPM and is linked to Honda’s specially adapted Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which sends drive to the front wheels. With the CVT transmission in sport mode, the Step Shift provides the equivalent of a seven-speed gearbox and gear changes can be made using the paddles behind the steering wheel.

In terms of performance, with the gearshift in Drive mode, with my foot on the brake pedal up to 1500 rpm, then floor the accelerator the new Honda Jazz Sport pulled cleanly away and reached the 100 km/h mark in just 9.6 seconds and has a top speed of about 180 km/h. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is given as just 5,6 litres/100 km, which was somewhat opt atomistic, as in the test car the best I got was 7.2 litres per 100 kms which is still very good.

The Jazz Sport has an extensive array of active and passive safety systems which includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, emergency braking assistance and vehicle stability assistance which operates in conjunction with Honda’s throttle control and ABS braking system to optimize traction and control during acceleration, braking and cornering, and Hill Start Assist. Passive safety is served by an Advanced Compatibility Engineering bodyshell that ensures optimized crash safety and passenger safety cell integrity, augmented airbags comprising front, side and curtain airbags. Three-point inertia reel seatbelts are standard front and rear, with pre-tensioners and height-adjustable anchors for the front belts. ISOFix child seat anchors are also provided. An integrated alarm system with engine immobilizer is also fitted.

The retuned suspension with revised damper settings, a more rigid steering rack and additional body reinforcement result in a handling package that is more responsive without compromising comfort, while uprated braking system features rear discs instead of the drums fitted as standard to other Jazz models. Despite the Jazz Sport’s sporty demeanor, refinement has also been enhanced, thanks to improved cabin insulation and the fitment of a dynamic engine mount damper, which has resulted in vastly improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness performance. From behind the steering wheel, the driver’s seat is fully adjustable and with the steering column also being adjustable, there will be no problem for anyone to find a comfortable driving position, and once settled, all round vision is good.

Power from the 1.5 litre motor is more than adequate for driving around town and the Jazz is nimble enough to weave its way through the traffic. While stopped at a traffic light, the motor idles so smoothly and quietly that one must check the rev counter to see it is idling, however under hard acceleration or for extra power for overtaking, the CVT box gets noisy as the revs climb higher, so quite a lot of engine noise does get into the cabin. However, while cruising on the highways at the 120 km/h limit, the engine spins at just 2 500 RPM so there is virtually no engine or wind noise in the cabin. Stability is also good and even at speeds above 120 km/h, the Jazz Sport feels well planted. When the road starts to curve, the Jazz will easily enter a corner at speed and come out the other end unscathed, aided by its decent list of electronic driving aids and competent chassis and driveline. Over fast and slow lane changes, the electric power steering seems adequately weighted too.

The new Honda Jazz Sport is a very pleasant and satisfying car to drive. It is well built and with its new engine and loaded with all the latest “goodies” it offers good value for money. The new Jazz Sport is available in a choice of seven vibrant colours: White Orchid Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Shining Grey Metallic, Milano Red, Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic, Skyride Blue Metallic, and Helios Yellow Pearl. The Jazz Sport retails for R310 000 – the same price as the Jazz Dynamic CVT it replaces. The price includes a comprehensive five-year / 200 000 km warranty and a four-year / 60 000 km service plan, as well as a three-year AA Roadside Assistance package. Services are at 15 000 km intervals.