68: Honda Jazz – van-like versatility comes with top level build quality

Honda’s geeky, tall supermini has been something of a secret weapon for some time now, mixing build quality that would shame a Mercedes with interior space and versatility that has some vans looking to their laurels.

The current model sees no change in those respects, and while the Civic has abandoned the clever, flip-up rear ‘Magic’ seats, thankfully they’re present and correct here in the Jazz.

There’s really only one engine option, and that’s a smooth-running and reasonably frugal 1.3 petrol (you can get a 1.5 on special order but there’s not much point reallt) but just make sure you avoid the CVT automatic gearbox - it turns what’s a perfectly pleasant driving experience in the manual model into a teeth-grinding exercise in pointlessly high engine revs and sluggish progress. Prices look high, but the Jazz is better equipped a standard than most rivals.

Best model: Jazz 1.3 iVTEC ES for €19,940