I'm looking to buy a Honda Jazz, mainly for moving things (e.g. trips to the hardware store, bicycles, home supplies) and weekend road trips. The Jazz is at the top of our list, due to its versatility and being one of the best hatchbacks for a taller person (190cm) to ride in / sleep in while camping. However, it won't be driven frequently – maybe 3-4 times per week around town (up to 5km per day).

Our main considerations are: (1) comfort during road trips and longer drives, (2) safety — with respect to build, features, A-pillar visibility, (3) reliability and low lifetime maintenance issues, (4) cargo space and versatility, (5) fun features like sunroof and smart entry (as long as they don't bring other issues, like drain channels getting clogged with sunroof), and (6) volume knobs/tactile buttons.

With that in mind, can you recommend any models/years that would be good for us? For example, to avoid carbon buildup and direct injection issues, I've read it's good to look for port injection — and this is especially true for a car that won't be driven as frequently. Any recommendations for years/models with that engine type?

And in general, given the usage envisioned — occasionally moving things around town, driving on the highway every other weekend, and not much regular driving in between — can anybody recommend models/years/trims that could be a good fit for us, in particular 2015 and later? (I've read that 2015+ models are built on a better base than previous generations, so we've been looking at 2015+ models that seem reliable and don't have the known maintenance issues). Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

You don't want a 3rd gen if you don't want the headache of direct injection. And if you value ergonomics, a 2nd gen (09-14) is your best bet. They offer sunroofs on the sport models if you're interested. Smart key systems are oy available on the 3rd gens, and they're known to act up.

Service access is still very good and parts are common and cheap.

 

Great to know, thank you so much. One thing I read is that some of the 1.3L engines on the 2018+ models have port injection, and thus avoid the direct injection issues. Do you know any more about that by chance?

 

I don't unfortunately. I'm in the USA, the only configuration we get here is the GK5 (1.5L/FWD/non hybrid). We did get the previous generation L13 in the Insight and Civic Hybrid, but we haven't gotten it since 2015. The L15 variant used in the Insight and Clarity still uses port injection, but it's only used I'm the hybrids here.

 

European GK3 Jazz has 100 hp L13B or Z engine with multi-point port injection and uses Atkinson-cycle at lower rpms to reduce fuel consumption, but makes the performance really lousy under 3000 rpm.

GK5 has 130 hp L15B engine with direct injection, and it is used in Sport/Dynamic models in Europe and all models in North America. There is not much information about direct injection "headache" in Europe, which may be because the amount of 1.5 litre Jazzes is so small here or then something else. There is quite common belief that using high rpms and putting load to the engine reduces the risk of carbon buildup, and I believe there is some truth in that. Don't be shy to have fun and use the upper rpm range regularly.

 

It's true. The Italian tune up does keep the worst of carbon buildup away. It's one of the reasons I'm not so worried about my GK5, my lead right foot ensures that it gets lots of hard acceleration, and I'm not afraid to bounce off the rev limiter. Plus I do a lot of back road cruising and I also do autocross. These Fits have a fantastic chassis for both, plus the GK5's 2500 lb curb weight (at least on an LX 6 speed like mine) makes it a featherweight by modern car standards. Also held further with handling. Don't let the front MacPherson struts and rear torsion bar fool you, these things all corner very well.