Now, both the 2.4-liter and 3.5-liter models share the same black on black interior with dark wood and metallic accents spread around. The biggest news is the loss of the beige and black scheme of the old 3.5-liter. Whereas the Accord featured some minor changes outside, inside there are no visible changes. Then again, perhaps this market segment isn’t too privy to change. Overall, the exterior changes are way too conservative considering designers had three years to sculpt some new stuff. At the back, there are no LED brake lamps to be found, instead there’s an additional chrome strip on the garnish to improve the overall proportions. Changes to the Accord’s front are limited to the grille which receives a twin-blade design, and if you have the 3.5-liter V6 model, a bumper with extended under spoilers on each corner. It’s so subtle in fact, you’ll have to do double or even triple take on the brochure to spot the difference between the 20 models.
Just like the Jazz, the Accord’s exterior receives a subtle nip and tuck. So what does Honda do to boost the Accord’s market share? Do a makeover, of course. Though the Accord’s sales figures remained steady, it peaked at no more than three dozen units per month. Aside from its already tough rivals, the Accord faced the threat of increased market segmentation where choices from low-end European luxury cars to “bang for the buck” crossovers and SUVs were beginning to chew away at the large Japanese luxury sedan market. Launched also in 2008, the Honda Accord faced a much tougher market reception than the Jazz.
This makes the Honda Jazz much more suitable as a daily driver or even the occasional long-distance trip companion. The 2008-2010 model was heavy criticized for its choppy ride, but the 2011 model rectifies that and behaves much more compliantly, even on EDSA before it’s re-blocked. Perhaps the biggest and most welcome change to the Jazz is the noticeable improvement in ride comfort. Since there are no changes to the drivetrain, expect the same perky acceleration and double-digit fuel economy (11.2 km/L in this test). And though there were rumors that Honda would revert back to a CVT transmission for the Jazz, the five-speed automatic stays put. Powering it is still a 1.3-liter mill with 100 ps and 13.0 kg-m of torque. Mechanically, the Jazz remains largely unchanged from when it was first launched. Only in the Jazz…well, you get the drift. Only in the Jazz do you get a USB audio interface across the line. Only in the Jazz do you get both an average and instantaneous fuel consumption meter (in an orange backlighting which I don’t personally like).
Only in the Jazz do you get a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. All of this, despite the Jazz’s three year old age and much newer competition. And when I mean “the same”, I mean: the best driving position in the sub-compact lot, excellent ergonomics with clearly marked knobs and buttons and interior space that rivals larger, more expensive crossovers. Inside, the changes are equally minimal after all, why fix if it isn’t broken? Aside from the slight tweaks in color combinations, the cabin you’ve come to love and enjoy remains the same. These cosmetic changes to the Jazz aren’t exactly earth shattering, but the refresh does lend it a sleeker silhouette. And over at the back, the 2011 model turns one of the most popular aftermarket accessories of the Jazz into standard equipment: LED brake lamps. The alloys too have changed, gaining an additional five spokes, though the measurement remains the same: 175/65R15. But if you squint hard enough, you’ll notice the more aerodynamic front and back ends. On darker hues such as Crystal Black Pearl, the reshaped front and rear bumpers tend to blend itself and look ordinary. The 2011 model, especially in 1.3-liter guise may not seem all that different from the model launched three years ago. So what’s Honda to do? Refresh it of course. Of course, as time went on and other car makers went into the hatchback genre, the Jazz soon had its luster fade.
Whereas the first-gen Jazz simply rekindled the Filipino’s liking for the hatchback configuration, the second-gen model had loftier targets. When the second-generation Honda Jazz launched way back-hard to believe-in 2008, it was carrying a lot of weight on its shoulders.