Saar: A total of seven variants are on offer, covering two engine and three transmission options.

Honda Cars India launched the mildly updated Jazz yesterday at a starting price of Rs 7.35 lakh. It is available in seven variants, covering two engine and three transmission options. Its predecessor, which started at a much more reasonable price of Rs 5.99 lakh, was available in twelve variants. Apart from chopping down the variant list, Honda has also been busy rejigging the feature list on the Jazz. Are the changes enough to lure someone who is in the market to purchase a premium hatchback and has the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20 as options? Well, let’s find out.

Our standard norm dictates that before we start listing out features in each of Honda Jazz’ variants, we should cover the powertrain options, price list, colour options and mileage. Let’s get on with it, shall we?!

Here’s the variant-wise price-list:

2018 Honda Jazz Price List (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

As mentioned above, the 2018 Honda Jazz has two engine and three transmission options. For those who want a petrol-powered Jazz will get a 1.2-litre engine which produces 90PS of power and 110Nm of torque. This engine can be had with either a 5-speed manual transmission (MT) of a 7-step CVT (continuously variable transmission). If a diesel engine is what you are after with the Jazz, you will have to make do with the only diesel engine that Honda has in India. It is a 1.5-litre mill that produces 100PS of power and 200Nm of torque. Unfortunately, this engine doesn’t come with an option of a two-pedal setup. It is offered with a 6-speed MT only.

On the mileage front, the petrol-MT is good for 18.2kmpl; petrol-CVT can return up to 19kmpl, and the diesel-MT is the most frugal of the lot – with a maximum mileage of 27.3kmpl. As for the exterior colour options, there are five available with the 2018 Honda Jazz- Radiant Red, Lunar Silver Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic and Golden Brown Metallic.

With those details out of the way, let’s get cracking on the variant-wise features. As before, we’ll be listing only those features which can make or break a deal for you.

Variant – S

It is only available with a diesel-MT powertrain. Listed below are the main features:

• Dual airbags
• ABS with EBD
• 15-inch rims with wheel covers
• Audio system with Bluetooth
• Audio controls on the steering wheel
• Front centre armrest
• Speed-sensing auto door lock
• Height adjustable driver’s seat
• Electrically adjustable ORVMs
• All four power windows
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear defogger
• Central locking with keyless entry

The entry-level (specs-wise) variant is handsomely loaded with features. The only real misses are an infotainment system, electrically foldable ORVMs and a rear-facing camera. And, of course, there is no petrol engine on offer in this spec. But if you can live without those, the S variant has enough going for itself.

Variant – V

This is available in three configurations – petrol-MT, petrol-CVT and diesel-MT. As far as features are concerned, all three V variants are identical. Let’s see what they get over and above the S variant.

• Advanced MID
• Automatic climate control
• Audio system with a 5.0-inch display
• Handsfree telephony buttons on the steering wheel
• Rear parking camera
• Push-button start/stop (not available with petrol-MT)
• Smart key system with keyless remote (not available with petrol-MT)
• Cruise Control (not available with petrol-MT)
• Paddle Shifters (with CVT only)
• Front fog lamps
• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Rear wiper with washer

If you are after the CVT or the diesel in this spec, the only thing you’ll really miss out on is a touchscreen infotainment system. And probably electrically foldable ORVMs too. However, the petrol-MT does miss out on much more than just those two. On the plus side, the petrol-MT is also the least expensive variant in the 2018 Honda Jazz’ line-up.

Variant – VX

Like the V variant, the VX is available in three configurations – petrol-MT, diesel-MT and petrol-CVT. Here’s what the Honda Jazz offers in the VX variant over the V variant:

• Rear LED wing lights
• 0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support
• In-build GPS navigation
• Voice command
• Electrically foldable ORVMs with turn indicators
• Leather-wrapped steering and gear knob

As you can see, four out of the seven pointers above are linked directly to the infotainment system. And if you really want electrically foldable ORVMs, you will have to settle for the VX variant. Our suggestion would be to stick to the V variants and get an aftermarket infotainment system installed.

So, there you have it. We believe listing out the main features of each variant should have helped up to an extent. The Honda Jazz has always had a couple of big plusses in its kitty. It has always been the roomiest hatchback in its segment and it is, like most Honda cars, easy to maintain. We believe that the 2018 Honda Jazz could have been more appealing if it has a diesel-CVT option like the new Honda Amaze does. Which of all the Honda Jazz variants would you put your money on? Do let us know in the comments below.