Honda has begun work on the replacement of the current-gen Jazz hatchback that made its global debut around five years ago. The next-gen Honda Jazz, also known as Honda Fit in some markets, is one of the more popular models for the brand, worldwide. 

A few details that have emerged on the internet that tell us the next-gen Jazz will be 3,990mm in length, which means it will qualify for the excise benefits just like the current model. Honda will, however, increase the car’s width in order to facilitate more room in the cabin and boot.

A first set of spy shots provide an overall idea of the model’s design with the car looking more rounded and slightly longer than the outgoing hatchback. The front gets large headlamps with LED daytime running lamps and projectors with a signature chrome strip running across the width of the bonnet –a styling feature seen on newer Hondas like the Accord, Civic facelift, the City and the Amaze sold in India. The model gets wraparound tail-lamps that are placed horizontally thus making the car look wider than it actually is. The new Jazz seems to be styled like the Mercedes B-class when viewed from the rear three quarters.

Under the hood, there are talks of Honda introducing a two-motor hybrid setup, similar to the one in the latest-gen Accord. There will also be conventional engines on offer along with an inclusion of the 1.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor that does duty in the Civic hatchback sold internationally. 

The next-gen Jazz will take on the likes of the Hyundai i20, the new Nissan Micra (not sold in India) and the Suzuki Baleno, to name a few.