Honda Jazz's rear suspension features a wide-span, H-shaped torsion beam mounted to the body structure via bushes, with large diameter tubular arms carrying the wheel spindles. This arrangement, together with the centrally mounted fuel tank, has permitted the load floor to be lowered by 220 mm with an obvious increase in rear seat passenger room and carrying capacity. Load swallowing capability gets a further boost from repositioned dampers to provide a wide load bay.


Electric power steering

Honda continues to expand the number of models equipped with electric power steering (EPS), and the Jazz is the latest to benefit from this advanced system, following the NSX, Honda S2000, Insight and 3 and 5 door Civics.

A microprocessor-controlled DC electric motor works in conjunction with a rack and pinion steering gear, providing assistance to the pinion as it moves the rack. The microprocessor senses vehicle speed and steering torque and is programmed to vary boost accordingly to optimise steering feel. Thus the steering is lighter at low speeds, firmer at high.

Benefits include:

- reduced fuel consumption since there is no engine-driven pump
- compact dimensions and reduced weight
- greater programming flexibility
- smoother operation with reduced kickback

In Honda Jazz, the EPS assembly is mounted 90 mm lower compared with the hydraulic system of the previous Honda model in this class, which provides a number of benefits. In terms of suspension geometry, the location provides an improved toe curve (the amount the tyres angle in or out from the body about the vertical axis); this means that over the vertical travel of the wheel the toe characteristics are substantially improved in comparison to a conventional strut arrangement.

Honda Jazz's front suspension moves from slight toe-out at full bump to slight toe-in at full rebound; whereas conventional struts move from substantial toe-out at full bump to almost neutral in the median position and back to substantial toe-out at full rebound.

Honda Jazz's EPS system features further refinements including a damper-equipped wormshaft that provides an ideal level of road feedback while minimising noise.


Stopping power

The braking system comprises ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear.

Those models equipped with four-sensor, three-channel ABS also feature Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). This system is able to measure small front and rear wheel speed differences to ensure exactly the right amount of braking effort is applied to the rear wheels, via the ABS actuator, whatever load the car is carrying and taking into account the load transfer during deceleration. This allows the full potential of the rear brakes to be realised and both reduces the risk of premature rear brake lock-up when braking from high speeds and offers a more consistent pedal-feel.

In addition, under emergency braking conditions, a brake assist system increases the master power braking output via a master power device.

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