New Honda Jazz vs competition

Honda Jazz is one of the best cars in its segment with contemporary styling, great performance and adequate handling capabilities. Still, the Jazz failed to make any ripples in the market no thanks to Honda who launched the car with a starting price of around Rs.8 lakh initially. And it took Honda quite some time to realize their mistake and the company re-launched the Jazz with revised pricing to some relief. Still, the absence of a diesel engine was the Achilles’ Heel for Honda then.  Now, the scenario has changed for Honda and so has the fortunes. Both Amaze and City are doing tremendous business and Honda’s cash registers are singing a sweet song. With the new Jazz to be launched soon (along with diesel engine and competitive pricing of course), Honda is back on the track. Let’s see what the Jazz has to offer upon launch and the competition it faces.

Honda Jazz
Expected Price Range: Rs.4.5 - Rs.6.6 lakhs

Honda launched the all-new third generation Fit aka Jazz last September in Japan. With over 62,000 bookings, the car went on to become one of the largest selling models in the country. The new Honda gets a new platform with a completely redesigned body and features Honda’s new "EXCITING H DESIGN” concept. The Jazz also gets new chassis and a new suspension setup. Inside also, the dashboard is modern and functional. Space has always been the highlight of Jazz and it retains the same in its new generation. The Jazz, when launched in India, will be made available in both the petrol and diesel versions. We expect the engines will be the same ones that are fitted in the Amaze. So, the Jazz will get a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 87 hp and 109 Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 99 hp and 200 Nm of torque. Both the engines will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with the option 5-speed automatic will be available with the petrol engine.

Maruti Suzuki Swift
Price Range: Rs.4.4 - Rs.6.7 lakhs

Maruti Suzuki Swift was the car that kicked off the premium hatchback war in India and it still rules the roost. With over a million cars sold, there’s no doubt about the success of the Swift. With peppy design and fun to drive characteristics, the Swift won the hearts of both critics and the public alike. The Swift Petrol is powered by a 1.2-litre engine that produces 86 hp at 6200 rpm and 114 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm while the Swift Diesel is powered by 1.3-litre producing 74 hp at 4000 rpm and 190 Nm at 2000 rpm. Both the engines are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and there is no availability of an automatic transmission. Constricted rear seat space and higher loading boot goes against the Swift.

Hyundai i20
Price Range: Rs.4.8 - Rs.7.7 lakhs

Hyundai i20 is seen as the nearest competitor to the Swift currently. The i20’s highlight is the amount of features it offers as is the customary for Hyundai vehicles. The new i20 brought the fluidic styling to the car with slight changes to the exterior and interior design. The i20 also gets both petrol and diesel versions with a 1.2-litre unit for the petrol putting out 83 hp at 6000 rpm and 114 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm and a 1.4-litre unit for the diesel making 89 hp at 4000 rpm and 220 Nm of torque at 1500-2750rpm. Here again, the petrol engine is available with both manual (5-speed) and automatic (4-speed) while the diesel gets a 6-speed manual gearbox. Being an all-rounder, only the slightly higher pricing than the Swift goes against the i20.

Volkswagen Polo
Price Range: Rs.4.9 - Rs.8.1 lakhs

Volkswagen’s most recognizable model in India, the Polo oozes beautiful European design, amazing build quality and finish. The Polo is one of the best selling models in the world and in India, though it has kept the Volkswagen’s registers ringing, the supposedly higher maintenance cost has been driving the customers away towards the competition. Both the petrol and diesel engines are 1.2-litre three-cylinder mills, with the petrol engine making 74 hp at 5400 rpm and 110 Nm at 3750 rpm and the diesel engine making 74 hp at 4200 rpm and 180 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm.