THE popular Honda Jazz hatchback and Crosstar models were given a refresh at the start of 2023 with styling tweaks and improvements to the hybrid powertrain.

I have just sampled the Crosstar Advance mini SUV version costing £28,010 and that may seem a lot for a small car but the Jazz is a great package and stands out from the crowd.

The vast majority of buyers who opt for a Jazz tend to stick with the brand and the model and that is because it enjoys an excellent reputation for economy, practicality and reliability.

And the latest more stylish Jazz is also attracting younger motorists who appreciate what it has to offer.

The car looked great in Fjord Mist paint which added an additional £625 to the cost but it did suit the car's looks.

Inside it is veryspacious with stacks of room for four adults to travel in comfort and all-round vision is excellent thanks to the huge windscreen.

All the controls are easy to operate and nicely laid out and there are lots of storage points for the driver and passengers.

There is a large digital display with all the information to keep you legal and a large clear touch screen which allows you easy access to most of the cars other functions including sat nav and the infotainment. It also displays the view from the reversing camera and features all the info from your smart phone.

Thankfully the heating controls are located in easy reach and you do not have to take your eyes off the road to adjust the temperature or blower.

As well as its impressive interior space the Jazz also features Honda's ‘magic' rear seats which collapse into the floor to provide a completely flat and substantial load space.

The boot offers a 304 litre capacity and this goes up to a substantial 1,205 litres with the rear seats folded.

On the safety front this car comes with all the latest safety and driver aids designed to keep you out of trouble or protect you in the event of unwanted impacts.

Out on the road the Jazz is good to drive with sharp and accurate steering while the suspension deals with even the worst of our roads. The automatic transmission means it is ideal for town work and it also shines on the motorway where it cruises quietly and without fuss.

Available only as a hybrid the Jazz Crosstar is powered by a combination of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and two electric motors that are self-charging. It does not need to be plugged-in and it is amazingly frugal.

Around town you can run it on electric-only power for surprisingly long periods and the petrol engine cuts in and out smoothly.

It takes 9.7 seconds to sprint to 62mph and has a top speed of 108mph but it really scores on the economic front.

Honda only claims an overall figure of 58.9 mpg for the car but it is capable of so much more and I got a great result of over 70 mpg over a mixed week of driving without even trying.

This is a car that is loaded with kit including anti-fatigue premium quality seats that are also heated. Good-looking 16-inch alloy wheels and roof rails contribute to its smart appearance and you really have to sample it to appreciate how good it is.