The Auris driving delicious and also the workmanship and the materials used is very good

In the summer I finally got the email from the fleet manager. I was allowed to look for a new lease. Of course I've looked all around for that time what a good successor could be the Clio.

The requirements were fairly simple:
- Greater than the Clio
- Monthly charges equal to or less than the Clio

My initial shortlist was as follows:
- Renault Megane Estate 1.5 dCi
- Ford Focus Wagon
- Toyota Auris Hybrid

Unfortunately, by great (sarcasm) agreements between my employer and leasing company, both the Megane and Focus simply too expensive. So the Toyota Auris remained. When the Honda Jazz Hybrid struck me.

The Auris driving delicious and also the workmanship and the materials used is very good. But he's again a bit more expensive and the trunk is just small.

Jazz is equally spacious, is very well equipped, drives well, looks good and is not expensive in terms of aggregation, lease ed.
The actual purchase price is for a car in this class quite high. I do not expect that many individuals will go for the hybrid version. The other versions are in fact a lot cheaper and also quite economical in consumption.

After two test runs I made the order for a Honda Jazz Hybrid Exclusive Deep Sapphire Blue.

The Exclusive is standard already full of options (Rain sensor, Light sensor, USB connection, Bluetooth car kit, CD Player, glass roof, electric windows and mirrors, leather upholstery, heated seats, etc.), so there was little extra to add (ex factory).
Options Navigation (too expensive (2000 euros!)) And parking sensors (not needed in a hatchback) I have not checked.

When my dealer visit (de Bois Utrecht - Top Dealer) I was made aware of the Sportmode package. This included 16-inch wheels, a spoiler and stripes on the car. This dealer-option I have ticked without stripes. I found namely something too much (or wrong).

On October 4, I could return the Clio and pick the Jazz in the Bois. After all records have dealt with, I finally got the keys.

The combination of the color Dark Sapphire Blue Pearl and these rims looks in my opinion very good. So far I have had therefore no negative reaction. Also not on the rest of the car.

Since that day I have been sitting on 2,500 km. What stands out most is the peace that gives the car while driving. This is partly due to the CVT (slightly more engine noise during acceleration raft) and the instrument lighting that changes color if driving less efficient (from green to turquoise to blue). Because of this I'm going to ride noticeably quieter.

The engine is smooth enough to carry anywhere good. You will not speak very often full power because of the above reasons. Only when merging onto the highway you will use this real.

The hybrid function is otherwise different from Toyota. The electric motor is in support of the gasoline engine. He will not go fully electric (The Prius and Auris do so). If below 50 km / h constant speed he will pass on fully electric drive. The gasoline engine will remain rotate without fuel injection.
Thus, the separate perception of quiet ride, the Jazz unfortunately.
However, the engine will automatically switch off when stationary.

Other positives:
- Radio
This gives a nice, clear and full sound. Even at high volume creates no creaks. In addition, I also finally include a USB connector that works very well and fast. Though I find it strange that an adapter cable is required to use it.

- Space
Jazz Although it is officially in the same class as the Clio he still offers a lot more space. Both front and rear I can sit well with my 1m82.
Further, the rear seat is both on and folded down. By folding down the seat it goes down so it will create a completely flat load floor. When lockup can eg. A bicycle cross be put in the car.

- The board computer is extensive. You have different views on your current usage and your previous rides.
Also you are in economical driving 'rewarded' with leaves. To the degree you get more leaves it gradually becomes a tree. Not very useful, but funny.
Of course it is also to see which motor for the drive is to the concerns.

Negative points:
(yes, they are there, as are the very small things)
- The vents in the front can not be closed on top of the dashboard.

- Both the wipers front and rear wiping a relatively small area. It is not really disturbing, but it could have been better.

Finally, there is consumption.
This has to be that which most people are interested in it because it is a car with hybrid drive.
Also I am very curious what values make up for practice.
That's why I'm doing pretty good my best to drive as economically as possible. But even with this effort, it is still everywhere average 5.9 liters per 100 km. I expect that this is going to improve.

Briefly:
Spacious, beautiful, comfortable, (relatively) economical and exclusive (the hybrid version will not get much from the Dutch roads).

I'll keep you informed.

(I am also wondering if he is indeed as reliable as indicated in the AutoWeek satisfaction trophy)
MUCH TOO LATE UPDATE (112,000 km)

I was going to update this review more often, but including the dad is the amount of time available for this unfortunately somewhat limited.

The update is so late that the car over again two and a half months will come at the end of his lease contract.

Problems

The last four years have actually been almost flawlessly. I say almost because there is only a beating and there has been a problem with the brakes (or still actually). When light brakes squealing brakes at the front. At slightly harder braking disappears again. The replacement of the disks and blocks solves the problem only temporarily. However, the car brakes still good. So I doubt whether I will go back here.
The rattle is right in the dashboard and is only sometimes audible. It even seems to be audible and disappear depending on how the wind is blowing. So perhaps there is simply something in the air duct. It is therefore difficult to reproduce and thereby again difficult to solve by the dealer.

Apart from these two points, the car has not been without problems. Just every 20,000 km a turn and nothing else.

However, we once had a screw in the tire and also my wife has had a minor collision. But this is obviously not the fault of the car itself.

We have experienced the Jazz Hybrid in the last four years as a comfortable, practical and spacious car.

Comfort

Standard chairs from the Jazz, however, I do not great. The backrest is good, but the seat is simply too short. That's one of the reasons why we have gone for the Exclusive version. It is leather upholstery and instead they occupy Jazz chairs with leather, they just put the chairs out of the Civic (and Insight in my opinion). These chairs fit like a glove. Especially the lateral support here is very good. So if in the test drive the car disapprove on the chairs, take a look at the Exclusive version.

Practicality

The practice is one of the unique selling points of this car. I refer, moreover, not directly on the space, but more on tricks such as: Two decent and accessible cupholders, two glove compartments, rear doors that extra wide open (small handy with children), the magic seats (rear both down and up can clap) and the storage space under the rear seat. Oh and the small lockable compartment under the rear seat is occasionally also proved useful to store more valuables.

Space

Then, as the last, there is the space on board. While this is very good this is of course relative. In the B-segment is one of the largest. However you compare it with an average C-segmentation then it is obviously not the largest lake. It is also the point where you make the comparison. If you compare him eg. A Volvo V40. Then the V40 has a larger trunk. However, look at the area with the banks flat and the available room for maneuver than the Jazz win it again.
I managed anyway to go away for a weekend with four adults, two small dogs and luggage.

Weak points, there are:
- For A broad style
The A style is just very wide and eg roundabouts is therefore careful to cyclists not overlook will see..
- Reach wipers
In the previous section I mentioned this already but it remains a doubtful point for co-drivers.
The windshield is more square than rectangular (because of the shape of the car). However, the wipers go the traditional way (both sweeping them right to left and back again). This has as a result that a large part the upper right is not included. Any passenger exceeding 1m70 will therefore by non blotted piece should look or a little bit to go sit down.
This was to solve very simple by letting wipe the wipers both outward (like eg. The Opel Zafira).
- USB connection
Why must sit an adapter on here before I could stabbing in a USB stick?

Driving experience

Then there driving and consumption. It's a very nice car for the ride. Long stretches are not a problem and in the town he's just very agile and smooth. The CVT gearbox I feel fine and I've never really had a desire to another. Naturally, it should ensure that the engine under hard acceleration suddenly turning more speed. However, almost every car will hereby produce more noise. Individuals who have suffered from this noise should I do to get quieter with the accelerator pedal.

In terms of power, it is of course not a hot-hatch URL But slowly he certainly is not. The only time he really needs to work hard on highways through hilly region (West Germany eg.). But here's to live.
If the CVT is put in S mode and ECO mode he is disabled something float and the throttle response is much sharper. Fast roundabouts bring in this way, in any case, a smile. The downside is that the throttle response even so extreme that I become nauseous after a short time. Therefore, I would recommend having the CVT in D under normal use and the ECO mode. In this way, the car is much quieter and better suited to a calm driving style.

In S mode, you can actually do use the paddles on the steering wheel. Though this is more of a gimmick and adds it does not really something. You're not going by faster anyway. The only time you can use this is useful in eg. A descent and want decelerating.

Then the ride. This is especially very neutral and not challenging. Do not expect sharp knight such as a Ford Focus or Honda Civic. However, there lacks balance in the suspension. Front is this good, at the back it is much too stiff. So careful when thresholds as there are people sitting in the back.

Consumption

The final consumption. Now I have a fairly smooth driving style and includes my commuting not highway. This has the result that I'm around 5.7 a 5.8 liters per 100 km. If I do my best I come to 5.3 and 5.4L. Now I think the bigger wheels and spoiler here also responsible for his (reviews from other Jazz Hybrid drivers have other lower values). In other rides, it is also the speed. At 100 km / h, the car is quite economical. The average Dutch highway but you may 120 or 130 km / h and over consumption soars.
The car is slightly more efficient than the non-hybrid versions of the Jazz. The additional cost of the Hybrid weighs in this area does not challenge the difference in consumption.

Do not think that consumption is the only difference. I recently had with a Jazz 1.2 CVT as replacement transport. While this is certainly not a bad car is feeling the Hybrid still robust and more adults. The difference is large enough to drive separately the two types to the test drive. In addition, the Hybrid is also a lot faster. This is especially noticeable if the battery once it is empty (eg in many urban traffic.). Then you notice clear that much less power is available.

The end

As indicated, the end is near. Although the car is relatively large, we still crave more space. With one small plus luggage and pram (Joolz Day) fits all very good. But over time there is a desire for a second and then it is with that baby there anyway a bit tight (Without stroller would have to pass without problems).

Because I still want to stay in the 14% addition rate (simple question of money), and more room will is the choice quite limited. These include the Renault Clio Estate, TS Toyota Auris Hybrid and the Peugeot 308 SW. Since I want to fall off the Clio still for once a C-segmentation. Toyota is my favorite brand but this has unfortunately taken out of the lease package last year. So then I come out with the 308 SW. As soon as they are I will of course write a review about (and this frequently update ;-)).