DISCONTINUING the Jazz has certainly been a gutsy decision for Honda Malaysia.
The much-loved car was not only one of the company's contenders in the B-segment hatchback segment but its appealing price point meant easy accessibility for many.
It goes without saying that there are concerns if the Japanese carmaker's latest strategy would work out well. Will the City be able to pull off double duty in the hatchback market?
Economically, it makes cost and competitive sense for Honda but for consumers, it's more than a mere replacement.
For one, the City Hatchback is pricier while the ever-popular sedan version was also launched just not too long ago.
What's more, how do you justify going for the pricier RS e:HEV variant? The B-segment market has always been sensitive when it comes to pricing and a RM100,000 City can be intimidating to buyers.
ISLAND CITY
Honda recently invited the media to take the City Hatchback for a spin around Langkawi. The island atmosphere allowed us to soak in what the car had to offer without the pressure of traffic.
One of the best parts of the drive was how we got to experience different roads and weather conditions all in one go, from the dry straights to sandy beaches and the wet mountain climb and descent. It was the perfect opportunity to push the car in a semi self-contained live environment.
For comparison sake, we were given the opportunity to experience the RS e:HEV and V variants during the convoy-led leisure drive.
The biggest difference between the two is the engine and performance.
The V variant comes with the petrol 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a continuous variable transmission that's shared with the more affordable E and S models.
The combined powertrain produces the highest-in-segment 121PS and a maximum torque of 145Nm.
It can go from zero to 100kph in 10.7 seconds and has a top speed of 194kph.
The top of the range RS e:HEV comes with a hybrid 1.5L Sports intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) engine that's coupled with an electric continuous variable transmission (e-CVT), delivering 109PS and segment-leading 253Nm of torque that's equivalent to a D-segment naturally-aspirated engine torque performance.
Its two-motor hybrid system regulates between the three driving modes of EV, Hybrid and Engine that will switch alternately in accordance to the driving conditions.
It can complete the century sprint in 9.7 seconds and has a top speed of 175kph. It also has a more economical fuel consumption of 3.6L/100km, unlike the standard petrol engine of 5.6L/100km.
The cabin of the RS e:HEV features a seven-inch interactive thin film transistor meter and first-in-segment features such as rear air conditioning ventilation and electric parking brake.
Both the RS e:HEV and V variants come with the full suite of the Honda Sensing driver assistance safety system.
It includes the adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, lane keep assist system, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning and auto high beam.
The RS e:HEV also comes with the Honda Connect telematics system that includes vehicle diagnostics, remote applications, security applications, vehicle tracking and support services.
The V variant shares quite a number of features with the RS e:HEV.
Both feature LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED front fog lights, tailgate spoiler, LED rear combi lights and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The V's interior comes with leather seats while the RS e:HEV has sporty red-stitched Ultrasuede seats.
They both come with remote engine start feature and an eight-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity.
Honda LaneWatch is also present in the two. The camera-based safety technology monitors incoming cars from the left and reduces blind spots using live visuals in the infotainment system.
The standard safety features include six airbags, vehicle stability assist, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, brake assist, emergency stop signal, hill-start assist and rear seatbelt reminder.
For collision safety, the City Hatchback has an enhanced body rigidity with a six per cent improvement compared to the Jazz.
Its A and B pillars are filled with polyurethane spray foam in addition to the variable thickness sound absorber fitted under the engine compartment to reduce cabin noise and vibration.
It also offers the Jazz's popular ultra seats for rear space adaptability. This allows for four configurations (Utility, Long, Tall and Refresh) to open up the standard 289 litres of boot space into 820 litres with the seats down.
The V, E, and S variants are priced from RM87,860, RM83,080, RM75,670, respectively, with the sales tax exemption while the RS e:HEV variant starts from RM107,783.
The newly-available V variant with Honda Sensing is priced from RM 91,709.
The available colour options are Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl.
VICTORY EITHER WAY
In essence, you're not losing the Jazz per-say or getting something radically unknown. Instead, you can either look at it as a competitive update of the former or a hatchback version of a City with some modifications.
Sportiness is the game if the sedan variant doesn't do it for you. At its core, you're still getting a lighter and more durable body, which more than makes up for an enjoyable experience.
Minus minor aesthetics, true separation comes in the choice of engine and transmission as the other offerings between the RS e:HEV and V are so close to one another.
The i-MMD engine with its e-CVT is undoubtedly much more seamless in transmission and drive. Adding a superior torque combination and looks, the RS e:HEV feels almost like a different hot hatch of a car. It made the car more fun to steer around.
That's not to say the V variant with its standard petrol engine doesn't hit the mark of a good drive. At the end of the day, you're driving a City and there are reasons why it's a well-received car. Competition is far and few.
Honda has said the V is the top-selling City sedan or hatchback, with the RS e:HEV making only a fraction of its sales.
At the end of the day, is a petrol engine enough for you or are you willing to pump in an additional RM20,000 for a performance boost with a slice of fuel economy? Cars Bikes and Trucks feel you can't go wrong either way.
Both sport MacPherson Strut suspension at the front and Torsion Beam at the rear, 5m turning radius electric power steering system and ventilated disc brakes at the front, although the petrol variant gets drum brakes at the rear while the RS e:HEV gets solid disc.
Both offer a drive that's hard to find for their price range. They are just extremely enjoyable in their own right.