There's a cuteness in the shape of the Honda Jazz that drivers of the female variety really love. However, our test viewing to a few male friends saw them coming to the conclusion that they wouldn’t like to be seen in the car. “Too cute, too toy-like”, were the opinions. A sexist remark? Perhaps, but I suspect it’s a true one.

This is an exceptionally easy car to drive thanks to its compact dimensions and the good visibility in all directions. This is even more important in a car that’s likely to spend a lot of its time in suburban areas, with all that means in the way of traffic approaching out of side streets. A common mistake in many current cars is the large blind spots created by big A-pillars. Thankfully, Honda's engineers and stylists have worked together to make Jazz easy to see out of. Other makers please take note.

New Honda Jazz is larger in all the important dimensions, with more length, width and height. Even more importantly, it sits on a longer wheelbase to give it significantly more interior space inside. You wouldn’t really call it a full five seater for large adults, but it’s easy to carry three average-sized adults without any real discomfort. In-cabin stowage is plentiful and well-sized to add further to the practicality of this little hatchback.

Boot space is excellent and its capacity can now be increased in a matter of seconds by folding the 60/40 split rear seats down. This creates an interior luggage area that’s almost van-like because of the low floor. Owners of the previous Honda Jazz will be aware that the back seats can’t be folded flat unless the front seats are a few notches forward. This no longer applies, so you can get full legroom in the front while getting maximum practicality in the boot.

As well as being larger, the body is even more rigid than previously. This gives good benefits of NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) suppression. The new Jazz has refinement that normally requires a car a full size larger.

Though the suspension system uses the same design elements as on the outgoing Jazz, there have been changes to virtually all the components, as well as to the geometry. The result is more balanced handling and good comfort levels on good roads. Harsh surfaces will knock it around a little, but the Jazz is no worse than many others in this class.

Those trading down a size in cars to reduce their carbon footprint will find the Jazz is more than capable of being used as a family car – even if you have a pair of large teenagers. But see the above remarks about the way it handles bad-roads.

Jazz is well specified, with all variants having power windows and door mirrors, central locking, a four-way adjustable steering wheel, ABS brakes with discs at all four wheels, and dual front airbags.

Honda is unusual in this class in offering a choice of engines. These have capacities of 1.3 or 1.5 litres. The torque graph of the 1.3-litre is relatively flat to give handy improvements at relatively low revs. Indeed, the 1.3- may have all the power and torque you need if the car isn’t used in hilly areas and doesn’t transport big loads.

Our test car had the 1.5-litre engine. We found it had very good driveability and a refined and responsive feel that makes it a real pleasure to sit behind. It had a five-speed manual gearbox to further improve its usefulness. This gearbox works nicely and we would suggest it’s a better bet than the auto unless you are doing a lot of heavy-duty commuting.

Typically the 1.5-litre with a manual gearbox will use about five to six litres per hundred kilometres when treated carefully on motorways and easy country runs. This consumption shouldn’t go much over seven to eight litres around town. You will use about five to ten per cent more fuel if you opt for the automatic transmission.

The latest Honda Jazz has been enlarged to the extent that it really can be used as a family car. May we suggest a visit to your local Honda dealer if you are keen to downsize your car, but aren't willing to lose too much in the way of creature comfort and interior space?

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE

Jazz GLi 1.3-litre five-door hatch: $15,990 (manual), $17,990 (automatic)

Jazz VTi 1.5-litre five-door hatch: $18,170 (manual), $20,490 (automatic)

Jazz VTi-S 1.5-litre five-door hatch: $20,590 (manual), $22,920 (automatic)

FEATURES

ABS Brakes: Standard in all models

Air Conditioning: Standard in all models

Automatic Transmission: Optional in all models

CD Player: Standard in all models

Central Locking: Standard in all models

Cruise Control: Standard on VTi-S not offered in other models

Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models

Front Side Airbags: Standard in VTi and VTi-S, optional in GLi

Stability Control: Not offered

Traction Control: Not offered

SPECIFICATIONS (Honda Jazz VTi 1.5-litre five-door hatch)

ENGINE:

Capacity: 1.497 litres

Configuration: Four cylinders in line

Head Design: SOHC, four valves per cylinder

Compression Ratio: 10.4:1

Bore/Stroke: 73.0 mm x 89.4 mm

Maximum Power: 88 kW @ 6600 rpm

Maximum Torque: 145 Nm @ 4800 rpm

DRIVELINE:

Driven Wheels: Front

Manual Transmission: Five-speed

Automatic Transmission: Five-speed

Final Drive Ratio: 4.294:1

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:

Length: 3900 mm

Wheelbase: 2500 mm

Width: 1695 mm

Height: N/A

Turning Circle: 10.4 metres

Kerb Mass: 1070 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity: 42 litres

Towing Ability: 400 kg (1000 kg with braked trailer)

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:

Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar

Rear Suspension: Torsion beam, anti-roll bar

Front Brakes: Ventilated disc

Rear Brakes: Disc

PERFORMANCE:

0-100 km/h Acceleration: N/A

FUEL CONSUMPTION:

Type: Petrol 91RON

Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.4 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:

Greenhouse Rating: 7.5/10

Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:

Three years/100,000 km