The Honda Jazz started off a little wishy-washy on the drive in 2002 while the Volkswagen Polo, though started off unimpressively, attained a highly satisfying driving experience from the 2010 fifth generation version. It is time to find out whether the third generation Honda Jazz can compete the new Volkswagen Polo.
The new Honda Jazz will come with a redesigned, sparkling chassis while the new VW Polo will get an upgrade in the engine. After thee facelift, both the models are almost at par with each other in every area of concern, so let’s find out which contender wins the battle.
Price
The new Jazz is priced at a $16,990 base price while the Polo starts at $18,790. The Honda Jazz will replace its 1.3L engine with a 1.5L one and the 5 speed automatic transmission will be replaced with continuous variable transmission. The Polo will sport a 7 speed DSG.
Basic transformations
The soft dashboard, damped glovebox door and tactile buttons and spine-friendly seats of the VW Polo gives the car a more comfortable feel. However, the Jazz still remains the better looking car overall with more boot space than the Polo. The boot space of the Jazz is 25 percent more than the 280L of the Polo. Also, the folding ‘magic seats’ further add to the 350L boot space of the Jazz. The folding rear seats of the Polo doesn’t match up to that of the Jazz.
Features
The Honda Jazz will come with a 7 inches color touchscreen and a back camera. The connectivity features include Bluetooth mobile connectivity and audio streaming. Android users will have fewer advantages with the car features than iPhone users. The HondaLink Navigation system can be downloaded for enhanced navigation.
The base trim of the Polo has no camera or satellite navigation option, only the Comfortline variant will boast these features. Volkswagen has however replaced the poor Bluetooth features with a 5 inches color touchscreen, USB port and SD reader along with a standard Bluetooth device. Unlike the Jazz, the Polo has no steering wheel buttons, therefore, requiring the driver to stretch over to reach for the infotainment utilities.
Performance
The new 1.5L 4 cylinder Jazz VTi has a few changes but the torque and power remain unchanged. The 1.2L 4 cylinder engine of the Polo offers a lower power of 66kW compared to the 88kW of the Jazz. However, the torque is higher at 160Nm compared to the 145Nm of the Jazz.
The fuel efficient start-stop system, sophisticated drivetrain, and the noiseless engine of the Polo outdo the drive experience of the Jazz. The responsive DSG system renders a quicker response to acceleration and brakes for the Polo. The 66kW power does not help the performance though.
The Honda CVT has a slower response while the high power engine makes up for the lag. The Honda Jazz offers 1700rpm compared to the 2100rpm of the Polo at 100kmph. The Jazz the more fuel efficient than the Polo, offering 23 percent higher mileage.
Verdict
The Honda Jazz is better as a utility vehicle with a high mileage, huge boot space and fully equipped technology. The VW Polo offers luxurious cabin comfort and better driving dynamics. Both the cars appeal to different target groups.
