Review: Chevrolet Sonic vs Honda Jazz Hybrid
We put two of the latest subcompact cars to the test to see whether hybrids are worth the higher costs.
12 years ago
Chevrolet Sonic
|
Honda Jazz Hybrid |
| Engine of Desire The 1.4-liter engine’s 100 HP with five-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearbox is punchy, even when overtaking at 80kph. 3-year warranty. |
Green and Safe The 1.3-liter engine with integrated motor assist puts out 88 HP. Still it’s not as wimpy as it sounds, and its 5-year warranty and automatic CVT gearbox make it the greener and more reasonable choice. |
| Interior Comforts The quiet cockpit (despite the thin roof insulation) and swanky orange console are well designed for a car of this class. The glove compartment could do with more space, though. |
Minimal Decor Not much going on here, compared to the Sonic, not even a map light or arm rest. The automatic air-conditioner is a nice touch. |
| Old School Does the digital speedometer count as a techie touch? |
Geek Heaven The eco driving mode allows the car to be 28% more fuel efficient than the previous Jazz, while the idling stop function turns off the engine and electric motor to help save fuel. Add a multi information display control on the steering wheel and the Electric Vehicle (EV) mode which allows you to just use the electric motor at 40-50kph when you’re driving at steady speeds, although this is a rare occurence in Bangkok. |
| Safety Wheels With a bit of understeer and passenger side air bag only available in the LTZ model, it’s a pretty standard package |
No Surprises The spare tire is replaced with a tire repair spray that can only be used once but this dual airbag model is otherwise a very safe bet. |
| Cheap and Cheerful B548,000-687,000 with 3-year warranty. |
Green and Guilt-free B768,000 with five-year warranty for the entire hybrid system. |
Verdict: Although the Jazz Hybrid is pricier than the Sonic, the 1.3 liter engine with electric motor isn’t as slow as you might think. And while it’s a close call due to the Sonic’s impressive design and steady handling, a hybrid car coming in at under B800,000 is hard to find. Add to that the fact that it’s 28% more fuel efficient than the previous generation, and we definitely recommend the Jazz Hybrid.
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