Our first award for 2021 combines the Compact and Small Car entrants.
We have done this, recognising the car’s popularity as we know it is currently a fading one, with conventional sedans and hatchbacks giving way to the SUV.
Even so, there are cars still being produced – and some of them with excellent features and technologies drawn from many years of experience – and with buyers waiting for them.
The smaller number of new cars released this year does seem to have made a significant contribution to the level of development within those cars, and this is not restricted to the development of new or alternate powertrains.
The Honda Jazz – our 2021 winner for the blended segment – is an excellent example.
Now in its fourth generation, Jazz has changed quite radically – and not just cosmetically, though the cosmetic changes are significant, most notably in the reduced A-pillars which allow for increased visibility through a panoramic windscreen.
Jazz is now built to a minimalist design. The interior is spacious and simplistic, but that does not mean Jazz is lacking in terms of specification or appointment.
In fact, Jazz’ specification levels are more sophisticated than ever before; they’re just not as ‘in your face’ as they are with other brands.
You get, for example, adjustable cruise control, vehicle stability assist, an electric park brake with automatic brake hold, automatic walk away locking, front, side and rear curtain airbags, hill start assist, nine-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, agile handling assist, and of course, the Magic seats.
The Magic seats have been a staple feature throughout the Jazz generations. For this, the latest model, the Magic Seats have been improved to provide not only 18 different configurations, but have been reconstructed to combat driver fatigue, and yes, it DOES work.
But surely Jazz is a town and around car? Not one where driver fatigue would be an issue? Well, the answer to that is under the bonnet where the Jazz now runs a larger displacement but environmentally conscientious 1.5 litre engine.
This provides a more relaxed drive experience without any loss of the peppy enthusiasm summarised in the Jazz name.    
And while the Jazz Life entry model should be the most popular, given its price and specification, the other two models which make up the range – the e-Lux hybrid and the youthfully exuberant Crosstar – contributed to the Jazz winning its award.