We review the Honda Jazz EX from price to economy and all its features

THE definition of “vajazzle” in the Oxford English Dictionary is to “adorn the lady area with crystals, glitter, or other decoration”.

At Honda, it means pretty much the same thing really.

The new Jazz has been vajazzled with a fresher, younger look, sharper lines and more vibrant colours – such as this lurid yellow.

It’s had a massive makeover inside too. It’s 3cm longer (for added comfort) and even the entry model at £13,495 has a CD player/DAB radio, Bluetooth, cruise control with speed limiter, auto lights and wipers, air con and start/stop to save fuel.

Higher-spec models come with 7in touchscreen Garmin satnav, climate control, keyless entry and go and the latest front/ rear radar and safety cameras.

Just as impressive is the load space. The boot dwarfs the Fiesta, Corsa, Polo and Fabia at 354 litres and the easy-fold seats mean it will swallow lengths up to 2.48 metres.

Imagine Peter Crouch in a top hat and you’re still not quite there.

There’s just one engine for now, a 1.3-litre petrol that nudges 50mpg (£20/£30 road tax) so it’s cheap to run too.

It’s not fast – it’s not meant to be – but it’s smooth and well-engineered in all departments. Just as you’d expect from Honda.

I’d stick to the sixspeed manual gearbox though. The CVT auto costs an extra £1,100 and it’s awful.

Sadly, the new Jazz is being built in Japan and not Swindon, where the previous versions were made.

Swindon is being freed up to become the global hub for the Civic in 2017.

But it will sell well – especially with finance starting from £139 a month.

VERDICT: Honda has sexed up the Jazz with more looks, more room and more equipment. It’s an appealing supermini.