Order books are now open for Honda’s new fourth-generation Jazz, which will bring hybrid motoring at sub-£19k pricing.

Order books are now open for the hybrid-only Jazz and its Crosstar crossover-inspired range-topping variant

A core part of Honda’s accelerated plans to have a fully electrified vehicle line-up in Europe by 2022, rather than the original 2025 target announced at the start of last year, the Jazz supermini and the crossover-inspired Crosstar variant will only be offered in hybrid guise.

The Jazz, which was due to be debuted at the now-cancelled Geneva Motor Show, is seen by Honda as bringing electrified benefits to drivers not wishing to make the full jump to its Honda e fully electric car.

Branded as an ‘e:HEV’ – part of Honda’s new ‘e:Technology’ branding – the Jazz features a similar dual-motor hybrid system to the latest CR-V and will be capable of returning in excess of 62mpg whilst emitting 102g/km.

Full equipment details are yet to be announced but four trims will be offered – S, SR, EX plus the Crosstar EX – and features will include the My Honda+ connected car app, which brings a range of comfort, convenience and security functionality, plus WiFi hotspot availability and the Honda Personal Assistant. The latter is already in the Honda e and provides voice activation of infotainment and connectivity features; part of Honda’s ongoing development of next-generation connectivity.

Prices for the Jazz will start at £18,980 OTR for the SE grade – compared to £14,760 for the current 1.3 i-VTEC petrol Jazz in S trim – rising to £20,180 for the mid-level SR grade, £21,380 for the top-spec EX and then £23,580 for the range-topping Crosstar EX grade. Deliveries start early Q2.

Honda has also advanced its tie-up with Moixa, announced at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, with news of a flexible energy tariff specifically tailored to EV owners.

Part of the carmaker’s refocus on energy management solutions, the new service – also due to have been announced at Geneva – will adopt new ‘e:Progress’ branding and will offer a smart charger, smart tariff, and a smart charge control system in partnership with Moixa as well as energy supplier Vattenfall.

The service enables EV owners to tailor charging to make use of renewables and the most cost-effective rates, thanks to Vattenfall’s flexible ‘time of use’ tariff that offers lower-cost energy at certain times of the day compared to a fixed tariff.

Not only will drivers benefit, but the energy management service could also help stabilise grid demand. It will go live in the UK initially, with Germany and other European countries to follow.