All-New Honda Jazz Is Hybrid-Only In Europe, Launches In Mid-2020

The world premiere of the all-new Honda Fit / Jazz at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show was followed shortly by the European reveal of the 2020 Jazz.

Coming exclusively as a hybrid in Europe, the fourth-generation Honda Jazz will offer for the first time a high-riding Crosstar version alongside the regular body style. The 2020 Jazz will also inaugurate Honda’s e:HEV powertrain badging in Europe, part of the e:Technology branding that will be featured on all future electrified products of the Japanese brand.

Honda wants all its European mainstream models to feature electrified powertrains by 2022.

Also read: The New Honda Fit Might Not Make It Into The United States

2020 Honda Jazz Crosstar

The all-new Honda Jazz packs a two-motor hybrid powertrain as standard for the first time. No specs were released but Honda claims the new powertrain offers “an exceptional blend of strong and effortless driving performance and impressive fuel economy.” Newly developed for the Jazz, the hybrid system is also said to provide “a smooth, responsive and direct driving feel.” Honda also promises EV-like driving dynamics.

Looking exactly like the Japanese-market Fit, the 2020 Jazz introduces a new Crosstar variant which brings increased ride height, a unique front grille design, water-resistant upholstery and integrated roof rails. The Crosstar will offer the same hybrid powertrain and will be available with the same interior features as the standard model.

Speaking of the interior, the all-new Jazz is said to offer levels of comfort and spaciousness “unrivaled in the B-segment.” The front seats are now wider and feature mat-structure support instead of springs, helping prevent fatigue on long journeys. The rear seats have been improved as well offering a thicker seat pad.

The 50-percent thinner A-pillars improve horizontal visibility while the expansive windscreen lets more light into the cabin. The new model retains its predecessors’ clever packaging with the fuel tank placed in the center of the chassis beneath the front seats. This enables the 2020 Jazz to retain the versatile rear Magic Seats. Depending on cargo space required, they offer both “fold-flat” or “flip-up” seat flexibility.

On the tech front, the 2020 Honda Jazz offers a new touchscreen-based infotainment system with smartphone-style usability, a WiFi hotspot, as well as Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity.

The Honda Sensing safety pack is said to offer the most comprehensive suite of advanced safety features and driver aids in its class. Equipped with a wider, higher-definition camera, the 2020 Jazz offers “improved awareness of vehicle surroundings, including recognition of verges without kerbs or roadside markings.”

2020 Honda Jazz standard model

Additionally, the Collision Mitigation Brake System gains night-time operation to detect pedestrians and cyclists; it also applies the brakes when oncoming vehicles cut across or turn into the path of the car. Thanks to the new camera system, the Adaptive Cruise Control can now follow traffic at low speeds in congestion and work together with Lane Keep Assist on urban and rural roads – as well as multi-lane highways.