“It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.” – Paulo Coelho Brazilian author.
And I don’t think I could have found a better way to introduce the 20121 Honda Jazz Life.
Jazz has been in Honda’s life for many years now and, while it is a simple thing – made simpler for 2021 – it just seems to improve as it goes on.
I guess that’s an attribute of the music from which Honda’s littlest car takes its inspiration – some things do just get better with time.
For 2021, the Jazz range has been reduced to a three car offering, of which this – the Jazz Life – can be called the entry level. This term is not bandied around glibly.
‘Entry level’ is perceived as a damning phrase which most manufacturers avoid, but in this instance, it is particularly appropriate.
With the Jazz, Honda has gone back to the basics when it comes to specification and technology, which will most likely mean the first opinion of the Jazz’s interior will be: “So, where are all the bells and whistles then?”
They are there, and not limited to a sports trim interior, auto climate control, smart entry, push button start, walk-away auto locking, power folding mirrors, privacy glass and new generation nine-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay.
The Honda Life sits on 16-inch alloys and is equipped with LED headlights, LED DRLs and LED guide type tail-lights. So, you see, there is quite a bit packaged up into the entry level model.
Even so, one of the more charming elements of the 2021 Jazz Life is its simplicity.
Compared with other brands on the market, the Jazz is considerably easier to come to terms with given its minimalistic approach to cabin design, which eliminates an overabundance of buttons, busy screens, mood lighting and anything which might distract the occupant’s attention from driving.
This includes that nine-inch screen, which stays dark until the Home key is pressed and then it does everything it’s supposed to do. Unfortunately, this does not include satellite navigation.
The Jazz Life BTW, defines navigation as putting a digital compass rose in the driver’s display screen – nice, but kind of pointless. On the other hand, being able to reduce the supervisory cluster to a bare minimum of information makes focusing on the critical stuff that much easier.
What is new and trendsetting that we’d like to see from more manufacturers, is the panoramic windscreen, which in part comes about through the super slim A-pillars.
Look a little closer at the massive windscreen itself and you’ll be hard pressed to find a curve in it which minimises any distortion.
We enjoyed the Jazz Life for a week and found it extremely useful in tight parking situations while feeling like a larger-sized car to drive. This last had something to do with Honda’s anti-fatigue seats.
What is it with Jazz and seats? Those who remember when Jazz first came out will also likely remember the trick, tuck ’n’ fold ‘Magic seats” which allowed – gosh, I can’t remember but something like 15 boxes and an elephant (money box) to be stuffed into the micro car.
Jazz Life for 2021 still has the magic seats, which can flip and fold 18 different ways to accommodate well, pretty much anything you like, but it’s the front seats which get the accolades this time.
A new seat design comprising a new mat structure in the base and the lower vertical squab, replaces the previous S-designed springs. The new mat system stabilises the body through increased lumbar and pelvic support which counteracts hip and waist tension and ultimately, driver fatigue.
This suggests the Jazz Life is more than a downtown runabout and it is.
Spacious, fuel efficient with the 1.5-litre engine, a surprising amount of luggage space loaded for connectivity and yet small enough to feel at home in any city carpark, makes the Jazz Life an excellent choice as a working weekend vehicle.
Specifications:
BODY TYPE 5 door hatch
DRIVE Front wheel/ single speed CVT
ENGINE TYPE 4-cylinder, 16 valve 1-VTEC chain driven
ENGINE CAPACITY 1498cc
MAX POWER 89kW
MAX TORQUE 145Nm
L/100KM (COMBINED) 5.8
CO2 EMISSIONS131 g/km
BOOT CAPACITY 304 – 1205 litres
ANCAP RATING 5 Star
PRICE $28,000
