Honda Jazz Hybrid Owner Review

It was unexpected to own a Honda Jazz Hybrid on 18-Jan-2013. The RM 8, 000 discount removed my hesitation on buying a 2012 made car. Also, thanks my salesman for lending me his Honda Jazz Hybrid for a long duration of test drive.

The other important consideration is to have a Completely Build Unit (CBU) from Japan rather than Completely Knock Down (CKD) from Malacca, Malaysia. Aside from the potential build quality concern, the lower price tag (RM 89, 900 vs. RM 94, 800) does not justify the reduced specifications.

CBU over CKD:

• Rear Solid Disc braking system.
• Ground Clearance: 20 mm lower.
• Automatic Headlight and Wiper system.
• Seat-belt reminder for both front and rear seat.
• Steering Wheel Audio Control and Cruise Control
• Side Airbags and Side Curtain Airbags.

CKD over CBU:

• Wheelbase: 5 mm longer.
• Curb Weight: 7 kg lighter.

After "scrutiny" the car, here is my extraordinary review on the Honda Jazz Hybrid.

What I Like:

• Handling, surprisingly the car drive well exceeded my expectation. Tackling city corner with speed confidently.
• Power, the car does not feel sluggish at all even in ECO mode. Go up hill and typical overtaking is effortless.
• Spacious and versatile, practical for a small family with 85% of time doing city touring.
• Rear seat reclining.
• Dashboard design is nice and solid. The fitting quality is good with consistent gap and very minimal rattling sound.

What I Dislike:

• Tyre Noise. The 175/65/R15 Michelin XM1 (why it is not XM2) is noisy and hard! You can feel the hardness when drive through rough surface.

• Cable management, the passenger seat belt sensor cable is placed externally versus the driver's. Thus, during car cleaning, please be gentle on the cable.

• Lack of sound proof and damping material resulting NVH is not as good as Toyota Prius C (Prius C is not comfortable either, aside from better NVH, the seat is less comfortable and less leg room).
This is the rear suspension area, there is zero damping and sound proof material.

This is the area between the boot and the rear seat, there is sound proofing material (but I think it is not the high grade type) and zero damping material.

• Use of Polyfoam material: the boot area shown in above picture and front passenger floor place (below picture, need to remove the black color floor mattress). I'm not sure the durability of it and if it breaks can I claim warranty?

The black color floor mattress at the driver floor space does not cover up to the end of firewall, exposing the sound proof material. So, please be careful when you do vacuum, don't damage it.

Despite the "Dislike", the overall package Honda Jazz Hybrid offers is value for money. For the NVH issue, it is very subjective (I did see a Mark X owner sound proof the whole car, but to me the stock sound proof is good enough). There is always after market solution which can really do a great job.

Wish List:

• Front Parking Sensor, the nose is short and not visible to the driver, it will be helpful to have the front parking sensor to avoid "kissing".

• Printed Antenna, it will look sleeker and better aerodynamic (I think).

• Configurable Auto-Stop or improve the Auto-Stop logic. For example: disable Auto-Stop when preparing to turn at a junction, the engine stop when you approaching the junction (as usual you press the brake to check the traffic) and immediately the engine start again (you release the brake) as the traffic is clear to made the turn.
• Although The Jazz has plenty of space, I do prefer to have less "intrusive" dashboard to increase the roominess further. Also, redesign the angle of the dashboard near the knee area. My knee keeps knocking the dashboard while driving.

Tips:

1. To enable door lock/unlock buzzer
• Disarm the car. Open the driver's door, passenger's door and click open the bonnet.
• Put in the key and turn it to II, wait for 15 seconds.
• Key in the Cobra Pin (4 digits number, provided together with the car key) at the alarm control panel button next to the USB port.
• After key in all the pin, once you see the indicator lights blink, press the control panel button and hold it for about 3 seconds, tills you hear a beep sound. Release the button. (If fail, try to key in the pin again).
• Adjust the buzzer volume by pressing the control panel button until to a desire volume. Remove the key, close the doors and bonnet.
2. To "play-around" auto-stop
• Under long waiting traffic light, you may want the aircond to work under normal mode, especially when kids are aboard.
• Put the gear to N, pull the handbrake and release the brake. the petrol engine will run and so for the aircond compressor.
• When the light turn green, put the gear to D and release the handbrake.
3. To adjust the speedometer ambient light brightness
• While the headlight is on, turn left or right the Select/Reset knob (the stick to switch between Trip A and Trip B).
 
You can also press the SEL/RESET button to switch between Trip A and Trip B.

Service Interval Conspiracy Theory: The service interval of Malaysia's Honda Jazz Hybrid is 5000 KM. Let's see what is the service interval in other country:

• South Africa: 15, 000 KM
• UK: 10, 000 Miles (16, 093 KM)
• Singapore (Insight): 10, 000 KM
• From the owner manual:
• On vehicle without Service Book: 20, 000 KM
• Ukraine: 15, 000 KM

From the owner manual, it says "5000 KM service interval is considered as severe schedule and is required in some countries" Look like Malaysia is more "severe" than South Africa, what is the rationale behind? You know, I know, Sky Know and Ground Know! Please service your car "regularly" to avoid void of warranty:


Honda Jazz Hybrid Review from others:

1. From Temple of VTEC Asia: Jazz Hybrid review and the technical review of the L-Series i-VTEC Engine
2. From Cars Bikes Trucks: Comparing Jazz Hybrid, Prius C and Polo.

My Honda Jazz Hybrid Fuel Consumption Report.

My Honda Jazz Detailing Report.

Honda Jazz Hybrid Broken Part History

Honda Jazz Hybrid Broken Part History!

This post dedicate specifically to Honda "fragile" part (or maybe I'm the unlucky one). Those broken part so far won't classify my car as "lemon" yet!

XX-YY-2014: 
The USB port cover closing spring. Honda Seremban claimed it is my fault. But obviously I'm not a Superman with laser eyes or the handsome Korean alien, "Do Min Joon"; who can break the spring without breaking the USB casing!!! I don't have the replacement cost for this as they never get back to me on the pricing! Okay fine, I can live with it.

31-March-2014: 
I noticed this small glossy plastic was loosen when I'm drying up the car after wash. Personally I think it is a manufacturing defect as the clip broke "just like that".

The clip broke "evenly", but again...... Honda SC said it is not claimable.

For the second times I was assumed as a Superman or "Do Min Joon"; I use my super power to break the clip from inside, since there is no scratch mark or even a swirl mark on my car body!

This little piece of plastic cost RM100+ (USD33+).

Finally Did It! Glass Coating!

Yes! Finally coated my car by a knowledgeable, good workmanship and reasonably priced detailing shop in Seremban.

It is actually a distributor and not a commercialize "car wash" shop, which handles many cars with limited worker, thus it is able to give you the good workmanship that worth the money you pay. I paid RM868 (March 2014 promotion price) for Ultimate Detailing + Glass Coat; Windscreen Polish + Si Coat and free 1 time Maintenance + Silica Coat.

According to the explanation, Glass Coating gives "high gloss" to the paint and minimize the damage by the nature, such as bird dropping, acidic rain and etc. The Glass Coating does have 8.0H scratch resistant too. By itself, Glass Coating does not shed water after 7 days of application and its surface is not silky smooth. Thus "The Shop" applies a layer of Silica Coat to resolve the imperfection of Glass Coating.

The Silica Coat is actually an Itisbond Nano Diamond Shield. The detail can be found here. The Silica Coat was applied right after the Glass Coat application, the second application will be 2 months later, which is covered by the Free Maintenance and the effect will last for 6 months.

The "Before": the color is a bit dull, not glossy and dust stick over the whole body.

The "new" 1 year old Honda Jazz Hybrid:

Glossy and restore back the "white".

This is a 1 year old rim, cleaner than new!

Rear wheel arch, cleaner than new! This is what I like, "The Shop" is really paying attention to every part of the car.

Zero nail scratch mark.

No obvious swirl mark under the bright sun light

The light reflection! The close to perfection preparation work is the key for a good coating! Can you see the DSLR camera brand?

For the sake of comparison, below are photos taken from a black color car coated at a different detailing shop in Seremban (I were quoted RM1500 for Honda Jazz).

I will surely recommend "The Shop", I will give a rating of 8/10 to "The Shop"! So far (28-Mar-2014), it is the best detailing shop I can find in Seremban (no joke!).

Honda Jazz Hybrid 2012 Fuel Consumption

To record the fuel consumption of my Jazz Hybrid 2012. The average speed is included as well, as I believe it is a key factor in fuel consumption, lower average speed means more city traffic jam drive (higher fuel consumption); higher average speed mean more highway cruising (lower fuel consumption).

27-Jan-2013: Petronas RM54 (28.42 L) travel 455.9 KM with average speed of 31 KM/H: 6.234 L/100KM or 16.04 KM/L.

12-Feb-2013: BHP RM59.01 (31.06L) travel 557.1 KM with average speed of 29 KM/H (there was a long idling waiting time waiting for wife and also being serviced in Honda SC): 5.575 L/100KM or 17.95 KM/L.

18-Feb-2013: BHP RM46.50 (24.47L) travel 502.1 KM with average speed of 48 KM/H (include 380 KM highway travel): 4.87 L/100KM or 20.52 KM/L.

22-Feb-2013: Caltex RM52.39 (27.572L) travel 517.1 KM with average speed of 51 KM/H (include 380 KM highway travel): 5.33 L/100KM or 18.75 KM/L. Look like BHP gives better FC for a similar route (compare with 18-Feb-2013).

03-Mar-2013: Caltex RM57.83 (30.436L) travel 522.2 KM with average speed of 30 KM/H: 5.83 L/100KM or 17.16 KM/L. As comparison with BHP (the same route of 12-Feb-2013), Caltex looks like consume more petrol.

19-Mar-2013: Mobil RM53.62 (28.222L) travel 504.4 KM with average speed of 29 KM/H: 5.60 L/100KM or 17.87 KM/L.

12-Apr-2013: BHP RM24.51 (12.9L) travel 286.7 KM with average speed of 76 KM/H (100% highway travel from Seremban to Johor with speed between 100~110 KM/H): 4.5 L/100KM or 22.22 KM/L. Impressive, isn't it?

I managed to get an ECU and IMA firmware upgrade on one of the day (i forgot the exact date); after that my FC improved.


16-Sept-2013: Caltex 21.145L travel 451.7 KM (90% highway travel from Seremban to Parit Buntar, Perak) with speed between 100~110 KM/H): 4.68 L/100KM or 21.36 KM/L. (It is about 6.4% different from the Trip meter).

22-Sept-2013: Caltex 31.16L travel 603.8 KM (400 KM highway with moderate jam) with speed between 100~110 KM/H): 5.16 L/100KM or 19.38 KM/L.

Permanon & Honda Jazz Hybrid

PERMANON.USA: Permanon is a brilliant 21st century surface protection that eliminates the need for buffing or polishing. Permanon utilizes waterborne nano-engineered particles of Silicium (14Si) that electrostatically bond to the surface being protected. There is no chemical or mechanical action to damage, or alter, the surface you are protecting. Permanon is designed to protect polyurethane topcoats and other solid surfaces such as glass, FRP, stainless steel, chrome, rubber, finished leather, granite, varnish, enamel, and solid surface products. Permanon protection will outlast any wax or oil based renewable surface protection and comes specially formulated for Aircraft, Yachts, Boats, Cars, Trucks, Interiors, Pool & Spas, and Glass.

Summary of natural protection characteristics of Silicium (14Si):

• Lotus effect
• Temperature resistant from -40°C to +300° C
• Resistant against ultra violet (UV) light exposure
• Resistant against acids/alkaline of pH 1-12
• And much more

In Malaysia, you can order online from the following:

• PERMANON Malaysia
• WAXSON
• LOWYAT Forum

The price is more or less the same, sometime they do provide discount and some include postage charge into the product price and some don't. So please do your own "smart-shopping". 

I bought a Permanon Platinum Starter Kit which consists of

• Permanon Platinum, 50ml.
• Permanon Diamond 2 in 1, 100ml.
• Permanon Hecta PL, 100ml.

Yes, it comes in ml and not LITER that you buy in Jusco or Tesco! It is expensive, but is the product really worth the cost you pay? Let's find out.

23-Jan-2013: The sky rained. It gave a very good chance to see Permanon in action. It did exhibit strong water repellence effect.

28-Jan-2013: The car was full of dust mark (dust catch inside water droplet), I forgot to take photo before car wash. The car was waxed by the dealer with cheapo wax before delivery, thus I can't be certain that my application on 22-Jan-2013 was good. So, I followed instruction to perform Step 3, washed the car with Permanon Diamond 2 in 1. It was really shinning right after Step 3.

1-Feb-2013: The car is full of dust mark again! I wondered is it due to the product or the skill I applied or the environment as I work in an industrial estate with metal recycling factory next to my working place?

2-Feb-2013: I "beh-tahan", I did Step 1 and Step 2 again with minor change in the application detail after doing some reading from the Internet.

I used the soft microfiber cloth (instead of the orange color wax type) to "touch" (use very minimal force) the surface after spray the Permanon Platinum and did not rinse the car after that. Along the way, I used the wet (with excess Permanon Platinum) microfiber cloth to wipe (with minimal force) the windows to apply a layer too. I can feel the smoothness of the surface this time.

4-Feb-2013: It rained again.

The windscreen water droplet, exhibit Lotus effect.

When reached home, these are the only left and there is no dust mark on the rear window. Impressive?

The bonnet is still shinning as it is just Permanon-ed.

7-Feb-2013: It is a raining day again! Let's see how Permanon "channel" the water, notice the wafer "free-fall" from top to bottom.

 
 

8-Feb-2013: The dirt on the car.

9-Feb-2013: Washed the car with water without any shampoo. The car is 95% clean as some dirt is difficult to remove without shampoo. The smoothness is still there.

Stay tune, will continue to update the effectiveness!!