The Honda Company has finally introduced a small car with a view of making it big in small car segment in India. The small car segment has been the most competitive segment, especially in India where customers in significant numbers look for a small car at minimum budget range. So, it is quite understandable that Honda has come up with a small car in order to tap this market. At the same time, the Company has wanted to maintain its reputation by positioning the car in the luxury range, so that it makes a big impression like that of its most successful cars Honda City and Civic.
With the first look at the Jazz, we can be assured that it makes a good impression on road. I can also not help but feel that if the same model was introduced earlier than i20, it would certainly have made the best impression. Once I enter the car, the interior comfort gives a sense of getting into a luxury car. The seats are comfortable with cushioning and spacious legroom, and they justify the statement of "One life, why so serious?".
The power of 90PS with 1.2L Ivtech engine justifies and boosts confidence in the Honda cars. With the track record of the successful Honda New City, definitely we need not worry about performance. At the same time, the Features of the base model are a setback, as it comes without climate control, alloy wheels etc. Indeed, the test drive I took was very impressive and the car's acceleration, handling and breaking all proved good.
It could have certainly made a big success with the same price if launched earlier than the Fabia and i20, but now its seems to be too late. With the earlier rumours that Hoda might have priced the the car around 4.5 Lac, many customers would have planned to switch over to Honda for hatchback but now the option goes back to Swift, Indica Vista, and if budget is little higher then i20 and only at the end, consider New Honda Jazz.
Conclusion: an excellent car with good looks, but simply too, too expensive.
