MAYBE not on the tip of everyone’s tongue when it comes to choosing a versatile hatchback – or, to be more precise in this case, crossover hatch/mini-MPV – but Honda’s Jazz has set class benchmarks for quality in the last two J D Power and Associates consumer reports, and the model is a consistently good seller in the marketplace. A new, bigger engine has just been introduced, but is the moderately specced Jazz a better option as family transport than trendsetting Renault’s offering in this category, namely the more imaginatively equipped Modus? Does form and function outweigh style and features?
By rights, the ongoing 1,4-DSI Jazz should be pitted against the Modus, but when the new 1,5 VTEC model arrived for test, we could not resist the temptation to compare it with our recently acquired long-term test Modus 1,4 Dynamique. (Our full road test of this model appeared in the July 2005 issue.) However, just as we went to print, Renault reduced the price of the Modus, so what started as a R2 500 advantage over the Honda became a considerable R5 500 less – but we feel the comparison is still an interesting and valid one.
The Modus is selling as well as the Jazz, but their characters are markedly different. We have French chic versus Japanese functionality. Gallic flair against Oriental efficiency. See how they run in this comparative test…
Comparative Test: DESIGN
Jazz Four stars
Modus Four stars
It takes more than a few strokes of a stylist’s pen to turn a small monovolume into something with eye-catching appeal, and Honda has approached the task with some enthusiasm. A standard sports kit comprising deep-skirted front and rear bumpers plus sill extensions give the Jazz a heavy, slab-sided look. A generous, tapering glasshouse and a quarter-light at the base of the A-pillar add a dash of style. At the front, large protruding headlamps lend some character, but at the back there is only a spoiler at the top edge of the tailgate to add some spice.
The Modus, too, has distinctive bug-eye headlamps, matched at the back with some stylish taillight units. In profile, a black side protection moulding two-thirds the way down the doors contrasts with the body colour and breaks up the slab effect. The Modus’ side glass is even deeper than the Jazz’s, which helps the cause even more. (Note our long-term car has an optional dual sunroof fitted, which we are ignoring for the purposes of this comparison.)
Size-wise, the Jazz is longer than the Modus (3 845 mm vs 3 790), but narrower (1 675 vs 1 710), and lower (1 525 vs 1 590), and sits on a shorter wheelbase (2 450 vs 2 480). Neither takes up a lot of space, then, and both offer good packaging. Overhangs are minimal, and there is not too much out-of-sight bodywork forward of the windscreen to cause serious problems when parking. Staying with measurements, the Modus is a considerable 169 kg heavier than the Jazz.
Comparative Test: POWERTRAIN
Jazz Four stars
Modus Three and a half stars
The Jazz’s new engine is a high compression, 1,5-litre VTEC featuring 16 valves operated by a single cam located in a narrow vee in the cylinder head. On the intake side, at low revs only a single inlet valve is opened, but at high revs the second valve comes into play, while on the exhaust side both valves are always operating. The result is an efficient engine providing a good spread of power through the full rev range. Maximum power is 81 kW at 5 800 r/min, with peak torque of 143 N.m arriving at 4 800.
The Modus’ 1400 motor has twin cams to operate its 16 valves, and also has a high compression ratio – 10:1 vs the Jazz’s 10,4:1. Maximum outputs are 72 kW at 5 700 r/min, and 127 N.m at a relatively modest 4 250.
Both vehicles have five-speed manual gearboxes (there is a CVT auto available on the Jazz for R7 000 extra), but gearing is different, with the result that the heavier and smaller-engined Modus has practically the same km/h per 1 000 r/min in top gear figure (effectively a measurement of cruising ability) as the Jazz.
Alloy wheels with 15-inch tyres are common, but the Jazz has fractionally lower profile rubber – 185/55 vs the Modus’ 185/60s. The Jazz has a space-saver spare wheel under the boot board, whereas the Modus has a full-size steel spare slung underneath the rear
Comparative Test: COMFORT AND FEATURES
Jazz Four stars
Modus Four stars
User friendliness is what these vehicles are all about, so we will go into some detail. For starters both cars have big doors front and rear that open wide, so entry/exit is easy, and climbing in to fit or remove a child seat and handle the toddler is no hardship. ISOFIX child seat fixings are fitted to both, two in the Jazz, three in the Modus. At the rear, the Modus has a “squarer” tailgate aperture than the Jazz. Both have lift-up tailgates, the Jazz’s rising to 1 840 mm with a single pull-down grip, and the Modus’ to 1 800 (to a sharp, cranium threatening latch) with two pull-downs. Loading height for the Jazz is 620 mm, and 600 for the Modus. The Jazz has a retractable and removable vinyl luggage cover, whereas the Modus has a removable stiff board that rises on cords with the tailgate. Surprisingly, neither has a bag hook in the boot, but both have a quartet of tie-down hooks, and each has a courtesy light.
Getting seated
Cloth upholstery is used in both – a velour-like fabric in the Jazz, flatwoven in the Modus – with the Jazz’s seat pattern design being quite funky. Driver’s seat cushion height can be adjusted on both, as can the steering wheel rake. In addition, front head restraint and seatbelt heights are adjustable, but although there is no left-foot rest in either, there is sufficient room to rest the clutch foot. Overall, then, there is enough leeway in both for most people to achieve a comfortable driving position. Exterior mirror adjustment, including retraction, is standard, as are power windows all round with one touch up/down for the driver’s door glass.
Mix ’n match
At the back, we have a couple of innovative concepts to compare. The Jazz’s 60:40 split folding rear seat is the more conventional, the cushion conveniently moving forward and down as the backrest is tipped onto it. In addition, though, it is possible to lift up each cushion and latch it vertically to the erect backrest, theatre seat style. This creates a useful storage space behind the front seat(s), and even with the cushions down, there is still a useful “hole” underneath. Boot space is 288 dm3, and maximum utility space is a huge 1 200 dm3. Three-point seatbelts are supplied for all three places, the one for the middle seat retracting into a large housing in the headliner. Height-adjustable and removable head restraints are supplied in the outer positions only.
Our Modus is equipped with Renault’s Triptic rear seat concept. What this means is that the rear bench can be configured for either two or three people, with consequent varying legroom and boot capacity. Basically, the seat has four floor positions, the front two allowing the full width of the bench to be used (ie allowing three to be seated), the rear two requiring a centre section of the cushion to be flipped up and the outer cushions slid inwards, released by a lever from the driver’s side, making it into a mildly stylised two-seater. (A release on the passenger side of right-hand drive cars would be a safety advantage.) Naturally, the further back the seat is positioned, the less the boot space – the min/max measurements are 160 and 240 dm3, respectively. A cloth extension of the luggage cover is Velcro-ed to the top of the backrest to keep contents hidden, but is irritating to use.
Only the backrest is split 60:40, and to maximise the 976 dm3 utility space, the seat has to be in the foremost position before the backrests can be tipped forward (watch your fingers with the handle) and the whole seat flipped over behind the front seats, which must also be positioned forward. Sounds complicated, but the permutations are useful once you get the knack of setting them. Three-point harnesses for three people are supplied, the middle one sliding into the roof with its exposed metal latch kept in check by a magnet. A trio of height-adjustable head restraints are fitted, too.
Convenience store
Both cars offer plenty of space, with the rear seat cushion set higher than the front’s for improved visibility for passengers. The Jazz has a grab handle above each door, one of the rears with a coat hook, whereas the Modus has them over each of the passenger doors, both the rears with hooks, and a spectacles holder over the driver’s door. Jazz has a single cabin courtesy light, the Modus two, and both have dual map lights in front. The Modus scores by having an additional wide-angle interior mirror that reflects the entire rear of the vehicle, perfect for keeping an eye on children.
Oddments stowage in the Jazz comprises a two-level non-locking facia cubby, an almost full-width under-facia shelf, front door bins, a map pocket behind the front passenger seat, and some compartments in the floor console, the round ones of which can hold either the removable ashtray or a drink container. The Modus’ floor console does pretty much the same, but the car’s other nooks and crannies list includes a square non-lock facia cubby, a lidded facia-top cubby, a drawer under the driver’s seat, front and rear doorbins, compartments under both front footwells, and map pockets behind both front seats. With the rear seat in the twoperson position, drinkholders are exposed either side of the cushion.
In control
There is a quite a difference in the controls, instruments and comfort and convenience items on offer. The Jazz has air-con, a custom radio/CD front loader with satellite controls on the steering wheel (the main unit’s controls look and feel quite cheap), and ahead of the driver a three-roundel instrument pack with dials for revs, speed and fuel. Front and rear wiper/washer functions are controlled via the left-hand column stalk: the front has flick, fixed intermittent and two speed actions, with continuous sweep for the rear wiper. The right-hand stalk does all the light functions, including the front foglamps.
Modus has a binnacle mounted centrally atop the facia and gives all its information digitally or graphically, including readouts from the trip computer. The layout is a bit gimmicky, and you will either like it or not. Auto climate control is fitted, along with a custom radio/CD front loader with satellite controls contained on the right of the steering column housing, where the stalk controlling all the wiper/washer functions plus trip computer selection is also located. The front wipers (the latest flat blade design, with a “clap hands” sweep) are rain sensing, but also have variable intermittent and two speed settings, with a fixed intermittent wipe for the rear. The left-hand stalk handles all lighting functions including front and rear foglamps, and offers “auto on” for the headlamps. Not only that, but Modus has cornering lights incorporated in the headlamps, as well as beam height adjustment.
Safety and stuff
Both vehicles have fairly cheap carpeting, with the Modus’ having the slightly better “pile”. Jazz has a vanity mirror behind each visor, plus a ticket flap on the driver’s, but the Modus’ pair of mirrors are illuminated.
Common safety and security items include remote key-operated central locking, and dual front airbags and side airbags, but the Modus also has curtain bags and auto lock. Both have impressive EuroNCAP ratings in their class, including the first three-star pedestrian test rating by the Jazz, and the first overall five stars by the Modus.
Phew!
Comparative Test: PERFORMANCE AND BREAKING
Jazz Four stars
Modus Three and a half stars
The Jazz’s bigger engine and lighter weight give it an obvious performance advantage here. With a power to weight ratio of 75 W/kg (compared with the Modus’ 58), it will quickly leave its rival in its wake. The benchmark 0-100 km/h sprint takes 10,89 seconds, and accelerating from 60 to 120 km/h in fourth gear (an everyday kind of occurrence) takes 12,65 seconds. For sedate types, the same task in top gear takes 17,37 seconds. Overall, though, the Jazz is a spirited performer. Modus, on the other hand, takes 13,65 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and the comparable in-gear acceleration times are 13,57 and 20,11 seconds, respectively. It needs encouragement with the gearshift to keep apace with brisk traffic, but is far from being a slowcoach.
Both have ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, but whereas the Jazz has ventilated discs at the front with drums at the back, the Modus comes with discs all round, ventilated in front. The difference shows in the braking times for our 10-stops from 100 km/h routine, the Jazz averaging a relatively poor 3,22 seconds, with the Modus recording a healthy 2,93.
Comparative Test: FUEL ECONOMY
Jazz Three and a half stars
Modus Four stars
As with the performance, with capacity and weight advantages you might expect the Jazz to be the winner here, too, but the Modus just steals it. CAR’s fuel index – ie, expected overall consumption with brisk driving – works out at 8,48 litres/100 km for the Jazz, and 8,24 for the Modus. Not only that, the Modus has a bigger tank – 49 litres vs 42 – so its potential range is greater, 595 km as opposed to 495.
Incidentally, the Jazz’s tank is, unusually, located under the front seats, which frees up space in the rear of the cabin.
Comparative Test: RIDE AND HANDLING
Jazz Four stars
Modus Three and a half stars
Neither of these vehicles was designed to be a hot hatch, but it is perhaps indicative of the standards being set – and, therefore, now expected – that both these family runabouts are fun to drive. Rack and pinion steering with electric power assist is common, but although the Jazz, with its narrower track, has a smaller turning circle (9,4 metres vs 9,9), it requires 3,5 turns from lock to lock compared with just three for the Modus. Both systems offer light and accurate control. Not surprisingly, strong crosswinds will cause some fidgeting at the wheel, but without cause for alarm.
Suspension set-ups are similar, with struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the back, although the Modus makes do without a rear anti-roll bar. The Jazz is marginally the better of the two in the handling department, responding just a tad better to driver input. Both are fairly benign tending towards gentle, fail-safe understeer, easily countered by a vice-less lifting-off the accelerator.
The ride in both is firm yet compliant, with body roll kept to a minimum. Slightly more supportive front seats benefit the Jazz in this respect. You are aware of what the wheels are doing, but hardly anything crashes through to the body, and any road roar from the tyres is well suppressed.
Comparative Test: VALUE FOR MONEY
Jazz Four stars
Modus Four stars
Two crossover hatchbacks with, now, R5 500 separating them costwise, but representing two clearly different approaches towards providing versatile family transport.
The R142 500 Jazz has a useful – and innovative – rear seat setup, made even more practical by a low rear floor. It performs well, is spacious, quite versatile, and has an envious reputation for quality. But is that enough when, for R137 000 you can have a less perky Modus that counters with fresh thinking and a host of spec items that one would have found only on a luxury saloon not so many years ago?
Both cars offer a three years/ 100 000 km general warranty, and require servicing every 15 000 km. Honda offers one year’s roadside assistance for the Jazz. Overall, though, we are of the opinion that you are paying a slight premium for Honda’s current standing within the local industry, whereas Renault is offering a really well equipped package at a very favourable price. We cannot argue against either approach, but it terms of kit for the money, the Modus is a clear winner.
Comparative Test: VERDICT
Jazz Four stars
Modus Four stars
It all probably boils down to family requirements, and we are looking at this comparison from the viewpoint of a couple with one or two children. If the offspring are past the infant stage, then mom and dad might prefer the sportier, less fussy, and less feminine-looking Jazz for being a big hatch that can do the kids’ taxi stuff while fulfilling an ongoing role as sensible transport for work and leisure. But if babies and toddlers have to be catered for, then the Modus offers so many options for a growing family, that it is likely to be their choice.
Honda’s Jazz ensemble plays a cool tune and managed to win the majority of preferences amongst the test team. However, some who have regular contact with toddlers favoured the greater versatility of the Modus. But both offer – in varying degrees – style, innovation, versatility and practicality, and are fun to drive.
