Can the new Honda Jazz deliver?

Honda Jazz redefines style in its own unique way, which is sure to guarantee a second look. With its sporty cross fade monoform design, the Honda Jazz has a bold, super-slick front design. The side character lines, dynamic alloy wheels and rear spoiler never fails to be a head-turner. This car is an aerodynamic burst of energy that truly symbolizes speed and control. It is further equipped with a sleek wraparound head lamp, rear license chrome garnish, rear micro roof antenna, premium LED rear tail lamp, front fog lamp, large vent window and spacious window graphics, tailgate spoiler with integrated LED stop lamp, electrically adjustable and foldable outside mirror with turn indicator, etc.

When it comes to interiors, the sophisticated futuristic cockpit interiors of Honda Jazz that is based on Man Maximum Machine Minimum philosophy. This innovation offers you the best-in-segment space and comfort. The state-of-the-art features designed and perfected will ensure a superb driving experience for you. You can enjoy auto AC with touch screen control panel, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, advanced audio, instrument cluster, and an entire assortment of brilliant features. What’s more, these are all laid out impeccably in super spacious and premium interiors. The additional features include 12.7 cm integrated audio with iPod connectivity, advanced multi information combination meter, eco assist system with inbuilt ambient meter rings, steering mounted audio, hands free telephone controls and paddle shift, etc.

One of the best things about Honda Jazz is that its unique centre tank layout ensures more space and headroom for the passengers as well as the luggage. It comes with an array of safety features, including dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, impact mitigating headrest, and immobilizer anti-theft system, amongst others. In the event of a collision, the ACE body structure and pedestrian injury mitigation technology minimizes threats. Crafted for maximum comfort and convenience, Honda Jazz will give you that extra edge, with your favourite driving position, large boot space, and various utility storages. The 1.5L i-DTEC, best in segment fuel efficient diesel engine, gives an unmatched mileage of 27.3 kmpl and max power of 100 PS.

Its low aluminum construction runs on low friction technology, and lets you explore the farthest corners with perfect efficiency. The i-VTEC petrol engine with CVT, on the other hand, strikes a perfect balance by providing an impressive power of 90 PS combined with a mileage of 18.7 kmpl in the manual transmission. The new Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with torque converter offers excellent economy of 19.0 kmpl and deserves credit for being more fuel efficient than any other manual in its segment. The on road price of Honda Jazz, needless to say, varies across different cities. In South Delhi, it is around Rs. 6.07 lakh, while in Central Mumbai, it is approximately 6.57 lakh. In Kolkata, it is roughly Rs. 6.21 lakh whereas in Chennai is it somewhere around Rs. 6.41 lakh. Spacious, practical and efficient, Honda Jazz is everything that a premium hatchback should be!

Why should you Buy the Honda Jazz?

Honda is a highly trusted brand in the Indian market because of its high fuel efficiency, attractive looks and performance on road. Honda is known for its iconic sedan, the Honda City although it has introduced cars in almost all segments now- hatchback, MPV and SUV. The hatchbacks available from the house of Honda are the Honda Jazz and the Brio. Both cars are quite popular among buyers because of the assurance of Honda that they bring to the table.

The Honda Jazz was introduced in the country in the second edition in the year 2009. It has a petrol engine which was 1.2L in capacity and ofi-VTEC type. The car did quite well the first year of its launch. However, rising price of petrol slowed down the sales of this car and then Honda had to reduce the price of the car for tackling rapid dieselisation. The Jazz was discontinued to make room for the compact sedan, Honda Amaze, which has been made available in both petrol and diesel versions.

The Jazz was always an appreciated car because of the space available within the cabin and the large boot space which was ideal for weekends away. The Jazz showed the refinement that Honda is so famous for. If you have wanted to buy the Jazz but were unable to for the steep price, then a pleasant surprise awaits you in the form of the Honda Jazz with diesel engine. The sixth edition of the vehicle shall be launched in India and its position would be just below the Honda Amaze.

The latest Honda Jazz has been put through a makeover and it now has an aggressive designing language. It has a completely remodelled facia which is along the design patterns of other Honda vehicles although the grille design is completely new. The bumpers and sides have a chiselled appearance while boldly defined creases wrap the car. The D pillar is wedge shaped which has been carried from the older editions of the Jazz whereas the tail part has a more compact and focussed design.

The latest Honda Jazz shall be a little longer compared to the previous editions to make it more comfortable and spacious. The length of the new car is expected to be around 3.96m which is almost 60mm more than the older edition. The boost space is also being bumped up to the leading 390L one and the wheelbase shall also be expanded to 2.58m. The handling and ride of the car should better with the revision in suspension along with a steering which shall be re-calibrated.

The engine powering the Indian edition of the Jazz is supposed to be the same as the one powering the Honda Amaze and it will be available in 2 different fuel options- the 1.5L diesel engine and the 1.2L petrol one. The engine that is fitted currently in the car produces a torque of 109Nm and 86PS in the petrol engine while the diesel engine produces power of 100PS and torque of 200Nm. Honda may detune this model’s diesel engine to be at the 90PS rating for extracting higher fuel efficiency and remain at part with competitors. The vehicle may also have the 5 speed automatic transmission gear box that is currently installed in the Brio and Amaze’s petrol version.

The Honda Jazz has been placed below the Honda Amaze as it is a hatchback and Honda Jazz price would begin from Rs 4.7 lakhs for the petrol version while the Honda Jazz price for the diesel engine would be around Rs 6.5 lakhs for the diesel model. The Honda Jazz price positioning would certainly make it a worthwhile competitor for the Volkswagen Polo and the Hyundai i20. The maintenance and ownership costs of the car would also be more economical compared to the European models which would make it a high value for money purchase.

If you need a car urgently, the Honda Jazz is not a bad option at all. For a budget of Rs 4 lakhs or so, you can buy a used Honda Jazz which is a good enough proposition as the car has been made available again and you can get spare parts quite easily in case there are some repair works that need to be undertaken. The used cars market abounds in Honda Jazz models and you can get them in a variety of colours. The used Honda Jazz price is around Rs 4.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs, for a car which is around 3 years or so old. You can find models which have covered less than 20,000kms which ensures fuel efficient performance of the car without any damage to the engine.

You can enquire at the certified used Honda car dealerships for this model. Buying a car from a certified used car dealership is a good idea because you get a warranty of one year or 20,000kms (whichever is earlier) and also two free servicing. You can also try looking up the car in the online market as many individual sellers advertise to sell their cars directly without having to go through a dealer. You can read up the specifications of the car such as the type of ownership, whether it was a first-hand vehicle, the numbers of kilometres driven and the year of make. You can also find out whether the vehicle was a manual or automatic GT one.

Before you buy the Honda Jazz, you should inspect it thoroughly for dents, scratches and other damages to the car. Check the engine to see if any part was newly fitted in the car. Test drive the car it on a stretch which is both within city limits and outside it. Observe whether the car starts up instantly or takes time to warm up. Alternate between different gears and speeds to see how the vehicle performs. Make sure the bottom of the car does not touch the surface of the road or speed breakers as it would indicate damage in the suspension. Finally, go over the papers to check their authenticity before making a deposit.

7 Branded Used Cars you can Bank On

The used car market in India has been steadily evolving of late. The market has witnessed the entry of multiple models across segments and this has steadily created various niches for all types of customers. There are multiple models in the market that have created a huge buzz and are made available at attractive prices. If you want the very best used cars in India, you should check out online classifieds portals. Portals like Quikr.com will help you find the best branded used cars for your needs. You will be able to respond directly to advertisements posted by sellers and negotiate your prices directly.

Alongside, you can choose to post your own advertisement detailing your requirements and expectations. With portals like these, you can expect fast replies to your advertisements seeking branded used cars for sale. Coming to branded reliable cars in the market, you can check out used BMW cars if you are passionate about luxury cars. You can also find a used Mercedes in Mumbai at a very good price if you are really determined. However, experts say that luxury cars do not make for reliable purchases in the used car market and will only drain your savings and energy. As a result, you should choose cars that give you good value for money while keeping driving pleasurable intact.

Hyundai Santro: This is one of the best branded cars in the used car market. This hatchback provides reliability, decent horsepower for city driving and adequate fuel efficiency. Build quality is top notch as compared to other cars in this segment and the manufacturers are one of the most reliable brands in India, going by their performance over the last decade. Ride quality is decent enough in addition to ample headroom. Fuel efficiency is good at 14 kilometers per liter in the city and the service network offered by Hyundai is fabulous to say the least. Two to three year old models can be found at great prices too.

Maruti Suzuki Swift: This is best large sized hatchback that you can actually buy in the used car market. It looks great and offers a fun driving experience. This car is really spacious with fuel economy of 12 kilometers per liter which is pretty good. The service network of Maruti is legendary and you will easily find cheap spare parts for the Swift. This is a great buy for those who have always felt safer with a Maruti. Ride quality is good enough and this car is a definite value for money proposition.

Maruti Suzuki Alto: India’s largest selling car, the Alto stands out for sheer reliability and performance alone. It is one of the best buys in the Indian used car market. This will be a time tested buy that will never drain your wallet. You can get as much as 18 kilometers per liter from the Maruti Suzuki Alto and service networks are fabulous as mentioned earlier. The compact dimensions of the car and a zippy engine make it a sheer pleasure to drive in congested traffic or park anywhere one pleases. This will be a cheap yet pleasurable buy for sure!

Honda City: This is the real show stealer among sedans in the used car market. The Honda is widely considered the best and most reliable petrol sedan in the country. The car has witnessed three successive generations but popular demand for the same is yet to slow down. The second generation of Honda City cars is mostly available in the used car market and definitely counts as a top buy for reliability and brand value alone. The brand has tons of respect attached to it globally and the car offers a luxurious and comfortable experience. The engine is really decent with ample power and provides a fabulous 12 kilometers per liter in the city. Ride and plastic quality is decent enough with a spacious boot of 500 liters. This is the best branded sedan that entry level buyers should look at!

Skoda Octavia: This is another sedan that is associated with reliability and top notch features. This carries brand value like no other and was the first model launched by Skoda in 2001 in India. This has a luxurious image that can rival even Honda with elan! This is the best car if you want a smooth and luxurious ride and superior handling. The TDI 1.9 liter diesel engine provides fabulous mileage of 13 kilometers per liter and is really efficient. Build quality is top notch and the boot of 560 liters is spacious enough. The diesel model is the best bet and can actually be yours at a very compelling price.

Mahindra Scorpio: This is the best used car purchase in the SUV category. The Scorpio has been one of the most popular and loved SUVs in the country and was first launched in the year 2002. It is generally considered one of the most reliable and feature packed SUVs in the country. The model has been upgraded regularly. This will offer you top notch seating capacity and possesses an alluring design that has been drawing more and more buyers in both new and used car markets. Diesel engines ensure that 7-8 kilometers per liter will not really hit you that hard. Buying a recent model will help to get the best features and the coveted mHawk engine.

This car has lots of room and some models even come with automatic gearboxes for a smoother ride. The older models are quite inexpensive and the newer ones only fractionally more, making this another value for money yet reliable buy in the used car market.

Ford Endeavour: If you are looking for a used luxury SUV with brand value and solid reliability, the Endeavour should make for a great buy! This is one of the best cars available for off roading purposes and will add a new charm to your road trips. Diesel engines ensure low running costs here as well, with 8 kilometers per liter expected on an average. This is one spacious car and the older models come at mouth watering prices. However, the four wheel drive 3 liter model might be a little expensive and you should try to negotiate prices as much as possible.

Top 5 Cars Under Rs. 10 Lakhs to Buy

If you are thinking of buying a new car for yourself, then here are the top 5 models that you should consider. All these cars are priced under Rs 10 lakhs and have earned rave reviews from both critics and customers alike. The order of writing does not necessarily reflect in the rank of the cars. If the car is out of your budget, you could always survey the market for second hand cars in Mumbai for the same model at a cheaper price.

Honda City VXMT Diesel and VX CVT Petrol

Honda City

The two variants of the Honda City are the perfect cars to begin the listing. The petrol model with CVT enabled is responsive and smooth with a quick shift gearbox. It has paddle shifters in it too. This is also the only automatic petrol car to be featured on the list and it is more efficient than the manual gear shift City, rate at 18kmpl. The diesel version of the City is the most economical car offered in this price range and it has a fuel efficiency rating of almost 26kmpl which garners brownie points in our nation. The car is decent to drive and more focus is laid on riding than handling. The City is available in top trim which is enabled with features such as touchscreen infotainment and sun roof. This is an all-round package which is available without touching the Rs 11 lakhs boundary.

Volkswagen Vento Highline 1.6D

Volkswagen Vento

The German manufacturer is right on the heels of the Korean and Japanese. On the front of fuel efficiency and features it loses out and these are two very important deciding aspects for Indian buyers. Nevertheless, it is much fun to drive around and has an amazing diesel engine. The cheap price tag and German quality build are two attractive aspects of the Vento. The top trim model of the Volkswagen Vento costs only Rs 10 lakhs which makes it almost Rs 80,000 to Rs 90,000 inexpensive than Honda City and Hyundai Verna. Even though some features are missing, it is a good buy.

Hyundai Verna SXO AT and MT Diesel

Hyundai Verna

There is a thin line of difference between the City and the Verna. The only fine line separating the two is the higher fuel efficiency of the City. The top trim model of the Verna is manual whereas the lower half trim is automatic although it does not have leather upholstery. The diesel version of the car is responsive and powerful and if you think of the automatic transmission, it is the least expensive diesel car that can be bought. The segment focuses much on fuel efficiency and this is where the manual Verna with a fuel efficiency of 22.3kmpl, falls behind the City. Features wise, the Verna has all that is required in a premium car, an upgraded suspension and absorbent ride. The handling is not very bad either. The only pitfall is the car is not very smooth around corners even though it has a very good engine.

Renault Duster RXL 110PS

Renault Duster

The Duster is the only SUV to be included in the list. It is one of the swiftest cars to take from one point to another. The superb handling and riding combination is complement by a punchy diesel engine which makes it a perfect choice for road trips and weekend getaways. The gearbox is a 6 speed one which makes the Duster 110PS a good cruiser on highways and good mileage can be drawn out of the car. However, the features included in the middle spec RXL model does not match up to the other vehicles listed here. The car is not very fuel efficient either as it has a mileage of only 19.01kmpl. Therefore, performance enthusiasts can go for this car in this price range.

Used Skoda Superb TSI 1.8

Skoda Superb

Don’t hesitate to consider a pre-owned versioned of the Skoda Superb. Even though you could opt for the Skoda Yeti or Chevrolet Cruze, going for a powerful petrol model should be your choice. The car is almost 5 metres long which can overtake all the models listed here in every aspect except mileage. You can get 160PS of power on a simple press of the throttle connected to the petrol turbo motor. The Superb is also a good car to be driven by chauffer. A 2011 model of the car which has been driven almost 50,000kms will cost you less than Rs 11 lakhs in the second hand cars in Delhi market. It is a great car to buy although you should inspect the DSG gearbox as several cars have reported issues with the gearbox and it can be expensive to repair it.

Several parameters were considered for selecting the cars. Some of them have been jotted down below:

Gearbox and Engine

From refinement to drivability to NVH has been considered prior to deciding the engine rating whereas for the gearbox, shift quality and easy progression of the clutch actuation (glitch free timely down and up shifts for automatic cars) were considered.

Handling and Ride

Indian roads can hardly be called smooth and hence checking for low and high speed ride quality is essential. However, a plush ride is not enough as you need to check for noise and vibrations in the engine too. When it comes to handling, easy of driving on city roads and stability of the car in a straight line, round a corner and under braking was considered.

Features

Higher the number of features offered the better. Not only that, the easy usability of them was considered. Not all features were weighed the same. Features which were more useful were given higher points.

Fun to Drive

Even though mostly subjective, it is crucial. The performance of the gear box and engine can determine the fun quotient of the car along with steering response and feel, grip of tyres and overall prowess of handling were considered.

Mileage It is perhaps the most important aspect to buying a car. For fuel economy, the ARAI rating was considered. Higher the score better is the mileage.