Toyota Yaris Or Honda Jazz?

[RexYazz]

I am in the market for a used Toyota Yaris or Honda Jazz and very confused which is the better car?

The cars in question are either a Yaris SR 1.4 D4D MMT 5 door (tom tom sat nav version) or Honda Jazz 1.4 petrol ES semi-auto.

The Jazz mpg combined figure is 52.3 (petrol) £95 road tax and the Yaris mpg combined figure is 62.8 (diesel) £30 road tax.

The Jazz has everything that the Yaris has including the sat nav, but also has: Panoramic roof, cruise control, electric rear windows, front drivers arm rest, climate control, traction control, privacy glass rear windows, rear centre arm rest, analogue dials, paddle shift 6 speed gears, cool glove box, auto lights, auto wipers, heated wing mirrors, auto fold wing mirrors, keyless entry, rear disc brakes, hill start assist and parking sensors.

The Jazz is £500 more, but 6 months newer with 6000 miles less.

I think the Yaris looks better with hot hatch spoiler and motorsport wheels, but the Jazz has a bigger boot.

Which car should I buy and why?

[Wheep]

Can't comment on the Honda but I had a 1.4 Yaris for nearly 2 years. I only sold it as I bought a Celica T Sport. If there was any way we could have kept them both we would. It was reliable and very good on the petrol. It was amazing how much you can get in the back of them and are reasonably comfortable. They are so good my mother-in-law ended up buying one too

[Cyker]

The Honda has more bits, but is bigger (Although the Mk3 is probably about the same now!) and pretty dull to drive.

The Yaris is way more fun to drive (Probably more so given you're talking about the Mk3 SR?), but I couldn't help noticing that you were looking at the MMT model - I'd highly recommend you get the manual or possibly the CVT if you really must have an autobox and am looking at the Mk3 rather than the Mk2 or Mk1.

The MMT is very much a Marmite gearbox and most people (Disclaimer: Me included) hate it!

I have a Mk1 D4D and it's the best car I've owned :D

[mrpj]

Neither of those two mentioned!

I've had a Mk 2 Yaris Diesel with MMT. It's a cracking engine but that MMT - no, don't go anywhere near it. I suspect, as you say the Jazz is semi -auto, it has Honda's offering of the same thing. Why do you think both Honda and Toyota have ditched their automated manuals for the CVT type in these models?

Since the Yaris I've had a 2007 Jazz with CVT, before they went for automated manuals, and it is far better. Build quality is also far superior to the Yaris, particularly the interior. I can't comment on the newer Jazz.

I would opt for a Jazz any day but with CVT.

By all means give them both a thorough test drive because it's you who will have to live with your choice.

[Janine1]

Neither of those two mentioned!

I've had a Mk 2 Yaris Diesel with MMT. It's a cracking engine but that MMT - no, don't go anywhere near it. I suspect, as you say the Jazz is semi -auto, it has Honda's offering of the same thing. Why do you think both Honda and Toyota have ditched their automated manuals for the CVT type in these models?

Since the Yaris I've had a 2007 Jazz with CVT, before they went for automated manuals, and it is far better. Build quality is also far superior to the Yaris, particularly the interior. I can't comment on the newer Jazz.

I would opt for a Jazz any day but with CVT.

By all means give them both a thorough test drive because it's you who will have to live with your choice.

I believe Jazz went from CVT -> I SHIFT (i.e., Honda's MMT) -> CVT (very latest) again. MMT is not great.

[mrpj]

That's right Janine, the 2007 Jazz has CVT, prior to their automated manual, they then stopped using the i Shift (that's it, couldn't remember what they called it!) and reverted back, sensibly, to the CVT. I did read somewhere that it was the result of so many customer complaints re the automated manual. I suspect that's why Toyota dumped the MMT for the "new" Yaris too.

Re your Yaris - back to the dealer, no hesitation and don't let them fob you off about your car starting problem by saying it's normal or within acceptable paramaters.

[RexYazz]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I took the plunge for the MkII Yaris SR D4D MMT, not the smooth drive I had with my Avensis, but with the economy of the D4D I couldn't resist and yes it is fun to drive. I'll let you know how I get on.