Honda Jazz from 539 million VND: Can it compete with Toyota Yaris?

Honda Jazz is one of Honda's globally famous models with sales of up to 6 million vehicles in 6 years of launch. In the US, this model is also known as Honda Fit. Honda Jazz can be considered the hatchback version of its sibling model Honda City, which is being assembled in the Vietnamese market.

The 2018 Honda Jazz has a unique, dynamic design that suits modern urban lifestyles. The car has overall dimensions of length x width x height of 3,989 x 1,694 x 1,524 mm. The wheelbase is 2,530 mm, 70 mm shorter than the Honda City.

Compared to the City sedan, the Honda Jazz has a more youthful design, with more solid front-end details. The grille of all versions is chrome-plated, the RS version stands out more with the red RS logo. The front-end equipment stands out with LED headlights on the RS version, the V and VS versions are only equipped with conventional halogen lights. All versions are equipped with LED daytime lights, but only the RS version is equipped with halogen fog lights.

The body has a similar design to the City style with two embossed lines but more angular. The lowest version V is equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels with 175/65R15 tires, the two higher versions are equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and larger 185/55R16 tires.

The car body is also equipped with electric rearview mirrors, but depending on the version, it has an additional electric folding feature, integrated turn signals (VX version) and sporty black paint (RS version).

The rear of the car also has a modern and eye-catching design. All versions are equipped with LED taillights, a high-mounted third brake light, and a rear wiper. The RS version is equipped with a rear spoiler and front/rear bumpers, and sports body cladding.

The overall interior design is similar to the Honda City, with an asymmetrical dashboard design facing the driver. The 7-inch central touchscreen is integrated into the dashboard (VX and RS versions), and can connect to smartphones via HDMI, USB, and Bluetooth ports. Along with the entertainment touchscreen is a 4-speaker audio system (V/VX version) and 6-speaker audio system (RS version).

Right below the central screen cluster is the automatic air conditioning system with touch control on the VX/RS version, and manual adjustment on the V version. It is a bit regrettable that Honda does not equip the air conditioning vents for the rear seats similar to the Honda City.

Honda Jazz is equipped with fabric seats with Magic Seat (4-mode folding) on ​​all 3 versions. The steering wheel is designed with 3 spokes, integrated with audio control and hands-free calling. The steering wheel of V and VX versions uses urethane material while the RS version is covered with leather. In addition, the VX and RS versions also have integrated cruise control and sport shift paddles integrated on the steering wheel.

The VX and RS versions are equipped with smart keys and push-button start, the front door handles are opened by sensors instead of buttons.

Honda Jazz 2018 is equipped with a 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC engine, 4 in-line cylinders, 16 valves, with a CVT transmission, applying EARTH DREAMS TECHNOLOGY for a capacity of 118 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and maximum torque of 145 Nm at 4,600 rpm. The engine also uses the FGM-FI electronic fuel injection system and has similar parameters to the Honda City in Vietnam.

In addition, Honda Jazz is also equipped with operating support systems such as the fast-adaptive electronic power steering system (MA-EPS), electronically controlled throttle valve (DBW), fuel-saving driving mode (ECON Mode) and fuel-saving driving guidance function (ECO Coaching).

Regarding the safety system, Honda Jazz 1.5 V is equipped with basic anti-lock braking system ABS, electronic brake force distribution system EBD, emergency brake assist BA, automatic door locking function and 2 front airbags. VX and RS versions are added with electronic balance system VSA, traction control system TCS, hill start assist HAS, 3-angle rear camera. The highest-end version RS is added with 2 side airbags for the front seats and 2 curtain airbags, bringing the total number of airbags to 6.

With a price range of 539-619 million VND, Honda Jazz 2018 will compete directly with Toyota Yaris, also imported from Thailand, or Ford Fiesta assembled domestically. At the same time, Honda Jazz also becomes the model with the most versions in the hatchback segment in Vietnam.