Honda Jazz/Fit

Honda's bread-er and butter-er model than the bread and butter Civic - The Honda Jazz/Fit that had caused worldwide phenomenon, beating Toyota for the 1st time in Japan as the most popular carmaker for consecutive years.

The 2nd Generation, already out in Japan, Thailand and recently US, is about to go again on their global onslaught.

Hit on the jump to find out more



Carrying a design theme that's largely similar, the Jazz MK2 features the same mini MPV/Hatchback layout. This unique construction is crucial in realizing one of Jazz/Fit's unique selling point, the ability to fold-up the rear bench, and fit a full size mountain bike, in this little car (Try that with your Mercedes E-Class and we can assure you it's impossible).



The rear seats don't only fold up, they fold down as well, not only a 60:40 fold, but a complete fold flat - Enabling you to tuck in your washing machine (Try that with your 5 Series and we assure you it's impossible)



The headroom is fairly abundant, you can sit upright and finish that last gulp of Coca Cola from the 1.5 liter bottle without trying to go into awkward positions. (Because you need to keep your eyes on the road - Not that we encourage but hey, only talking on the phone's illegal, drinking coke or shaving or anything else are perfectly legal.)



The dash - Ahh Honda's new dual layer, Star Trek-esque dash had reached the Jazz/Fit, 90s mini HiFi looks aside, the ergonomics are excellent, with plastic mouldings that incorporate cup holders, which are cleverly designed to be placed right in front of the air con vents (Don't ask how about hot drinks - Anyone clever enough placing hot drinks in car's cupholders should not have been lucky enough to reach the legal age for driving, not to say owning a car).

The very good looking steering wheel from Civic is carried over, no qualms here but we might suggest certain functions on the steering wheel of the Civic might be represented here with just a hard, not depressable plastic cap.



Air con and Sat Nav controls are further simplified to keep the dash clean and easy to operate, within the glove box, one can find extra power sockets and auxialiary socket for iPOD fanatics. A very thoughtful, cheap add-on that'll put a smile on every customer's face.

The A-pillar features the same design as the Jazz/Fit MK1, with a small window for better visibility as it's a common spot for motorcyclist or pedestrians around 15 - 20 meters away at either 1 o'clock or 11 o'clock positions to be blocked by the A-pillar of most MPVs or SUVs. This little window alone would have saved thousands of lives and millions of insurance claims every year.



All in all, it seems unlikely that the Jazz/Fit will face any serious competition due launch, with the success formula it put together in the previous generation coupled with better designed, better built materials and better ideas put together, Toyota's product designers, marketing teams, sales teams are in for nightmare again when this goes all out Fitting youngsters or spinsters alike Jazzing merrily along for the next 5 years.

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