From Jazz to City Hatchback: The Perfect Transformation of Honda Hatchback

When Honda announced that the fourth-generation Honda Jazz would no longer be sold in Malaysia, many fans who loved this high-roofed hatchback were disappointed. I am also a Jazz enthusiast, who once eagerly awaited the arrival of this fourth-generation Jazz (GR), but ultimately did not work out like that.

However, the fade out of Jazz is not without "compensation". Honda has launched the Honda City Hatchback as a replacement for the Jazz. This new car has not only made its debut in the Malaysian market but is also popular in other developing regions such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Latin America. Although Jazz fans were initially dissatisfied with this change, when this new hatchback was globally launched in Thailand in 2020, the praise gradually overwhelmed the disappointment.

Market Performance of Honda City Hatchback

In 2021, a year later, Honda Malaysia officially launched the Honda City Hatchback, which has sold over 28,700 units across the world since its launch in December of that year. By 2023, this model became the third best-selling model of the Honda brand in Malaysia, accounting for 13% of Honda's total sales in Malaysia, second only to City Sedan (30%) and HR-V (25%).

What is the current situation of Honda Jazz?

Actually, Jazz's performance in its home market—Japan was disappointing. Though it retains a familiar high-roofed exterior design and looks quite futuristic, the newest Jazz model is seen as a failure in terms of sales in Japan. According to sales data from JADA, it ranked only 15th in sales in Japan last year, forming a stark contrast with its past glory of breaking Toyota Corolla's 33-year sales record.

The advantages of Honda City Hatchback

On the contrary, Honda's decision in the Malaysian market - to take over Jazz with a cheaper, more traditional City Hatchback - has proven to be very successful. The City Hatchback not only retains the innovative ULTRA seat of Jazz but also provides the most spacious rear legroom in its class.

Market Acceptance and Actual Performance

Gradually, Malaysian consumers have also grown fond of the City Hatchback. Although some second-hand car dealers have brought the Japanese specification Honda Fit to Malaysia, few buyers are willing to spend about 130,000 Malaysian Ringgit to buy one. Unlike the Stepwgn or N-Box, the Japanese specification Jazz has not been successful in the second-hand car market.

Three years have passed, and the City Hatchback stands out in the B-class hatchback market. Replacing the once unique high-roof design with a more traditional but sporty appearance seemed like a risky move, but so far, nearly 30,000 units have been sold in Malaysia, this choice was undoubtedly successful. The City Hatchback is indeed the coolest hatchback that suits the taste of Malaysian consumers. It meets the expectations of local users in terms of style, practicality, performance, and cost-effectiveness.

The updates of 2024 Honda City Hatchback

Honda Malaysia launched the 2024 City Hatchback facelift a few weeks ago, the new car has made minor adjustments in appearance and upgraded some important functions. The front and rear bumpers and the front grille have been redesigned to keep it fresh. The RS version has received a sports kit, and there are now two choices of gasoline and hybrid power.

The power system remains unchanged, it provides a 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC gasoline engine (121 PS/145 Nm) or a 1.5-liter e:HEV power system (engine: 98 PS/127 Nm, motor: 109 PS/253 Nm). The two power systems are equipped with CVT and e-CVT gearboxes respectively.

Safety Improvement

The 2024 City Hatchback has seen significant upgrades in terms of safety, with all five versions equipped with the standard Honda SENSING system. This ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) includes:

- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)

- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

- Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)

- Automatic High Beam (AHB)

- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

- Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN)

- Low Speed Follow Function (only RS e:Hev)

In addition to the active safety system, all versions have also enhanced passive safety features, including 6 safety airbags. Except for the base S model, all versions come standard with disc brakes, and the RS model also comes standard with the Honda CONNECT system.

Price

The price of the 2024 Honda City Hatchback in Malaysia is as follows:

- 1.5 S – RM 85,900

- 1.5 E – RM 90,900

- 1.5 V – RM 95,900

- 1.5 RS petrol version – RM 100,900

- 1.5 RS e:HEV– RM 112,900

In short, although many people miss the Jazz, the Honda City Hatchback has proven itself to be a successful successor model in the Malaysian market. Not only does it inherit the practicality and flexibility of the Jazz, but it has also undergone comprehensive upgrades in terms of style, performance, and safety, winning the love of a wide range of consumers. In the future, the City Hatchback will continue to shine in the Malaysian B-segment hatchback market and bring more success to Honda.