By Andy Bannister

10.13.2008

What is it with Honda styling? For a company so competent and consistent in every other way, its products almost always seem to lack something in the looks department.

A classic case in point is the latest version of the Jazz small hatchback (called the Fit in other markets including North America), which is doubtless a fine small car, carefully improved in every way. Stylistically, though, it takes no risks, being only a timid advance on its predecessor.

In fact, the outgoing model was still selling strongly to the end, so in some ways it’s hardly surprising that the same basic formula has been maintained, albeit in a slightly bigger and smoothed-out package which makes even more of the commendable interior space.

That begs another question: Could Honda have saved itself a small fortune and kept the original car going a little longer than the usual model cycle and taken time to think more creatively about a replacement? Continue Reading →