125 MOTORING ROAD TESTS BY NICK FLETCHER
ouR MoToRInG CoLuMn, BY THe exPeRIenCeD AnD AWARD WInnInG MoToRInG JouRnALIsT NICK FLETCHER HeLPs ouR ReADeRs CHoose THe BesT oF THe LATesT CARs.
HONDA JAZZ
Honda’s Jazz hatchback has been popular with older drivers attracted by a roomy cabin and the brand’s outstanding reliability record. But the latest Jazz, taller, longer and lighter, with fresh styling and extra equipment, it is aimed at bringing in new and younger buyers. It is likely to succeed in that objective, for while the Jazz is not the cheapest in a sector dominated by the likes of the Ford Fiesta and VW Polo, it arguably offers a classier look and more generous standard specification. There is just one engine available, a 1.3 litre VTeC
petrol unit with choice of power outputs, a 6-speed manual gearshift as standard and CVT automatic also available. Jazz prices start at £13,495 and all models get
Bluetooth, DAB radio/CD player, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, air conditioning and clever quick- folding rear seats. My se version added 16-inch alloy
wheels, seven-inch touchscreen and front and rear parking sensors, plus the Driver Assistance safety Pack with traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning and a lane departure system. This version is from £14,995. The 100 hp engine in my test version offers
comfortable supportive seats and a nicely-designed dashboard with an easy-to-understand layout. Handling is assured and composed and ride quality very good thanks to revised suspension. A more stylish interior, more charismatic exterior and
THE NEW JAZZ HAS FAR WIDER APPEAL
a raft of extra kit helps give the Jazz plenty of younger- buyer appeal – and older buyers will still love it too. one big plus-point is its space. It can take 4 or even 5 adults with ease, with more leg and shoulder room than the previous version. With all seats in use, there is a generous 354 litres of load space,
a 0-60 mph time of 11.3 seconds - a tad slow by class standards - top speed of 118 mph and the fuel economy figure is 56.5 mpg combined. emissions are 116g/km. underway, the Jazz feels light and nimble, with
way more than in the rival Fiesta, and Honda’s ‘magic’ seat system means you can drop the rear seats totally flat with one single movement and get a massive 1,314 litres of loadspace - second-best in class. summing up, the fresher more trendy styling,
uprated specifications and brand dependability mean the new Jazz has far wider appeal and is now a much more significant player in the hotly-contested small hatchback sector.
ALFA GIULIETTA Business Edn.
Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta competes in the hard-fought hatchback sector dominated by the Focus, Astra and Golf but the pretty and charismatic Alfa has plenty of aces to play when it comes to winning new buyers. This visually-arresting model has strong appeal to those in the sector who value the image statement of eye-catching styling and the stand-out driving dynamics that puts more fun into hatchback motoring. After Rolls Royce, Alfa has arguably the most
recognisable front grille, a shield-shaped icon which dominates the car and gives it immediate presence and
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164