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Hatchback
One fact answers that: the Jazz has twice taken top spot in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey and remains the top supermini. It's deeply satisfying to own.
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It's good to drive, too. The petrol engines have reasonable pace around town and don't drink much fuel, although you'll need to work them hard to get the most out of them. All the controls - brakes, clutch, gearbox and throttle - gel together perfectly. The ride can feel too firm at times, but it gives excellent body control and tidy handling. And, keen drivers will want more weight and feel from the steering, although it's nice and light for the kind of manoeuvres that will form the bulk of its daily life. No-one will find the interior wanting. If Doctor Who drove a supermini, this would be it - small on the outside, cavernous inside. It's flexible, too. The split rear seats fold flat and the bases can tip up for another self-contained storage area. The back of the front passenger seat folds flat, too.
Running Costs
You'll have to stump up a fair stash of cash to get hold of one. For the same money, you can have your pick of many younger superminis, but you get what you pay for, because the Jazz is a hugely practical, reliable and stylish little motor. It's good value and will depreciate more slowly than most rivals. Notice the word 'reliable'. That means you shouldn't have any unexpected expense on repairs. However, servicing isn't cheap. The Ford Fiesta, Renault Modus and Toyota Yaris will all cost less to maintain and even a Mercedes A-Class won't be much dearer. Still, insurance won't hurt your wallet - a gentle group three for all but the top-trim 1.4, which is group four. It's easy on fuel, too - the 1.2 will manage just over 50 miles per gallon unless you're stuck in town, and the 1.4 is only a couple of miles short of that.