The 'Magic' seat: clever, simple and flexible

Honda Jazz offers a remarkably flexible rear seat arrangement, opening up a whole range of loading possibilities. Significantly, it is also very easy to use, Honda acknowledging that there is little point in providing such features if the amount of effort required in their operation becomes a deterrent to their use.

The innovative retraction mechanism of the 2:1 split rear seat means that collapsing either section completely into the deep footwell requires just three easy steps and, unlike some competitors, all from a position standing just inside the rear door opening.

First the front seat is moved forwards by means of a lever located on the outside shoulder of the front seats (not S grade); the rear seat is then collapsed - with the headrests in place - by means of a similar lever; and finally the front seat is moved back to its original position - all without moving from the rear door opening. The result is a perfectly flat load floor with a maximum 1740 mm load length capability. This allows even large objects such as a mountain bike to be carried. In addition, by sliding the front passenger seat forward and fully reclining it, a 2.4 metre load length capability can be realised.

To return the rear seats to a seating position, the front seat is simply slid forward and the rear seat assembly lifted back up; the seat bottom remains locked to the seat back during this action and is released by pulling up the leg frame. The seat bottom is then folded down, and the front seat slid back.

However, as a further innovation, and the reverse of this procedure, the 2:1 split seat bottom can be tipped up and locked against the seat back. This creates in effect a second load area between front and rear seats capable of holding a variety of objects for added load flexibility.

The resultant space measures a highly practical 1280 mm in height and is sufficient to accommodate two mountain bikes with their front wheels removed. The possibilities are endless: the space can be used to carry tall plants; to provide an alternative load area when rear access is limited because tight parking prevents the tailgate from being fully opened; or where the weight of an item means it is easier to lift it the short distance into the rear footwell; it can become an area where young children can stand up and change wet clothes at the beach; the dimensions are ideal for a folded wheelchair and it is also a convenient place for wet or dirty items to prevent the soiling of luggage in the rear.


Four star Euro NCAP target

One of Honda's prime objectives in designing Honda Jazz was best-in-class levels of safety. A carefully devised body structure based on extensive computer analysis and a real-life crash testing programme means that the Jazz is expected to achieve Euro NCAP ratings of four stars for occupant protection and three stars for pedestrian protection.

Key to Honda Jazz's performance is the 'arch-type' front side frame, which as well as absorbing a large amount of impact energy in its own right, then channels energy back below the cabin area into the floor frame thereby minimising cabin intrusion. In addition, the cross members of the adjoining main frame surround the fuel tank providing a protective perimeter frame. This arrangement assures high body rigidity and improved crash worthiness in a rational and simple design.

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