WhatCarAwards banner - desktop
sponsored

In association with MotorEasy

Car of the Year Awards 2021: Best small car for practicality

Despite the fashion for SUVs, the traditional small car remains the most popular type on the road, with the best brilliant all-rounders that offer excellent value for money...

Best small car for practicality

Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SR

What Car? Car of the Year 2021 logo with sponsor

Does the Jazz belong in this class or is it more a mini-MPV? To be honest, you could argue this point either way, because while Honda’s cheapest car has a similar footprint to a Volkswagen Polo, it has the tall body, upright driving position and clever seating flexibility that’s usually found in MPVs.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, its ability to carry people puts other small cars to shame. Head room is superb, both in the front and back, and there’s more rear leg room than you’ll find in any rival. Better still, the rear seat bases can be flipped up in the same way as those in the cinema, freeing up interior space so you can carry bulky things like a bike, or even a dog.

Honda Jazz 2021 RHD dashboard

Not that the Jazz is just a big box on wheels, though; it’s a brilliant car even if you take practicality out of the equation. Its hybrid engine delivers strong performance and excellent real-world fuel economy, and if you go for SR trim you’ll get a very generous amount of standard comfort, convenience and safety kit. It isn’t cheap, but slow depreciation makes up for that.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Read about more Car of the Year 2021 winners >>