Honda Jazz hatchback - MPG, running costs & CO2

Past generations of Honda Jazz have always been affordable cars to run, mostly fitted with small petrol engines and proving easy to maintain. For the latest Jazz, these traits have been amplified by the move to a hybrid-only line-up.

As per its name, the Jazz’s self-charging hybrid setup doesn't require any plugging in – instead a small battery pack is topped up as you drive, using energy harvested from braking and the petrol engine. This also reduces strain on other parts of the car such as the brakes, which helps to make hybrids very reliable.

Honda Jazz MPG & CO2

Choose the Jazz in an entry-level trim and its e:HEV hybrid powertrain gets an official fuel economy figure of 62.8mpg – that's on a par with or better than many diesel rivals. With a petrol engine, the Vauxhall Corsa can only return up to 55mpg. Choose to upgrade to the Jazz Crosstar, with its raised stance and bigger wheels, and its official economy figure drops to 58.9mpg. During our test drive consisting of several hours of motorway, A-road and urban driving, we saw over 70mpg on the trip computer, meaning that these lofty fuel economy figures are actually feasible.

You can also affect how the Jazz behaves, with three driving modes to run the Jazz with just petrol, electric or both. Unlike most superminis, it's also equipped with an automatic 'gearbox' with a single gear, which is meant to improve efficiency and is similar to those fitted in electric cars.

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CO2 emissions are impressive, with as little as 102g/km for entry-level cars. That's sure to make the Jazz an appealing choice for company-car drivers because only plug-in hybrid and EV models offer significantly lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates, but they also cost more to buy. The Elegance is the lowest CO2 emitter, with a figure of 102g/km. VED (road tax) for every Jazz is charged at a slightly discounted rate due to its hybrid powertrain.

Insurance groups

Insurance groups for the Honda Jazz are certainly straightforward, because it's only in groups 21 or 22 (out of 50), depending on which trim level is chosen. These are fairly high ratings for a supermini, with the 108bhp Skoda Fabia in group 12, and entry-level Vauxhall Corsa in group 10.

Warranty

Honda models come with a three-year/90,000-mile warranty, which can be extended in length for an additional cost. This is slightly more generous than the three-year/60,000-mile warranty offered by Volkswagen for the Polo, but Hyundai (with the i20) provides five years of cover, and Toyota’s Yaris Hybrid comes with a 10-year/100,000 warranty so long as you get it serviced annually at a main dealer. It’s a shame to see Honda – a brand known for its reliability – doesn’t offer a more comprehensive warranty.

Servicing

Buyers can choose to pick up a fixed-price servicing package, either opting to pay monthly or in a lump sum. These often represent a discount over paying individually and are especially useful for budgeting and spreading the cost of routine maintenance.