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We’ve met the three large gauges before, but now they’re faced in silver as opposed to the City’s dark gray. Plastics are mix of hard and the textured soft-touch kind, in a pleasantly organized layout. The seats are also spiced up, by way of, we kid you not, “bun scrape protector” inserts (the gray, dotted fabric that’s supposedly kind to your behind). Storage compartments abound, from the dual-level glovebox; underdash tray; the empty space below the rear seats; cup, coin, card and cellphone holders; to the usual door and seatback pockets. Cargo capacity of the hatch is 380 liters, diminished from the City’s sizeable 500. It’s still a useful space, its width sufficient to swallow a golf bag. Several of those can be stacked on top of the other. Where the Jazz beats a sedan is in the shape of the cargo space. Tall objects like folded-up baby strollers and furniture can be propped upright in the load bay. There’s minimal intrusion from the suspension, and under the low floor is a full-sized spare. To increase the luggage space further, seats fold forward in a 70-30 split. With the rear seats down, the load space is a massive 1321 liters, enough to stow a couple of mountain bikes. There’s even a thoughtful lever mounted on the front seatbacks allowing you to slide the front seats forward; no need to remove the rear headrests. The seat bottoms also fold upward to provide a secondary load space within the passenger cabin, clear from floor to ceiling. Potted plants, surfboards, a pair of Labradors—the Jazz can ferry them all in one go. There will be three versions of this little number: the plain A with manual gearbox, basic interior and exterior trim and 13-inch steel wheels, and the more upscale S with the ULT seats, additional shiny bits and 14-inch alloys. The S will come with either manual or CVT, and can be ordered with the airbag-ABS package. Our vote goes to the CVT with the safety package. When the City was launched last year, it immediately set the standard as the most innovative, spacious, and fun-to-drive compact sedan. The Jazz adds a measure of cheeky good looks and versatility, albeit with a bit less luggage space. If you’re bored with sedans but want all their comfort and convenience, you’re in luck—a worthy alternative has arrived. Just in time, too.● |
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