The average age of Honda owners is famously high, and the Jazz in particular tends to be thought of as a car for the elderly - rather unfairly, I've always thought, as it's a perfectly acceptable and not at all age-dependent little thing, possibly one of the best four-wheelers the company currently makes.Be that as it may, Honda is trying to appeal to a younger market with one particular Jazz. It's the Si, which is at heart a 1.4-litre petrol ES but comes with various pieces of down wit da homies styling shizzle.On the outside, this consists of 16" alloy wheels, sports bumpers, side skirts, privacy glass, front foglights and, of course, Si branding. Inside, there's a leather-trimmed steering wheel, black and silver seat upholstery and that most gangsta of personal transport attributes, cruise control.(SD-based satellite navigation and integrated Bluetooth are also available, but only if you pick the Si-T, which is £995 more expensive at £15,545. If you do that you may also have to deal with jocular friends asking why you've just bought a car called "sit".)There may have been some temptation for Honda to leave it at that. In fact, it has tweaked the suspension by fitting stiffer dampers and a larger front anti-roll bar. Steering assistance has been reduced, not because that makes a difference to the car itself but because it gives a sportier feel.If you're expecting this to turn the Jazz into some kind of hot hatch, you'll be sorely disappointed. On country roads I know very well, because I grew up near them and drove far too quickly over them for several years after passing my test, the Si will countenance a certain amount of enthusiasm but no more.You don't have to push too hard to make the car feel quite clumsy, and to be quite honest I felt I might as well be driving any other Jazz (except the Hybrid, which has by far the least impressive handling in the range).Then again, your average Jazz owner - even an unusually young one who has been captivated by the looks of the Si - probably isn't as interested in sporty handling as I am. At lower speeds the car does feel quite a lot more nimble than other Jazzes, and while the promise of a great driving experience to come may be impossible for it to fulfill, perhaps the promise itself is the important thing.For more information on the practicalities of the Jazz (which are what most people who might buy one are really interested in), see our launch report. Engine 1339cc, 4 cylinders Power 98bhp Transmission 5-speed manual Acceleration 0-62mph: 11.5 seconds Top speed 113mph Price £14,550 Details correct at publication date
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