2014 Honda Jazz Thailand-01

The 2014 Honda Jazz has been launched in Thailand, the first country in the region to introduce the car. The third-gen Jazz, known as the Fit in Japan, made its domestic debut in September 2013.

If the new Jazz looks familiar, that's because we have seen its sedan sister - the Honda City was launched here in March. The latest City sports a variation of the Jazz's "Solid Wing Face" and shares a platform with the hatchback. The dashboard is similar, too.

In the Land of Smiles, the Jazz is powered by a 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine with 117 hp and 146 Nm, mated to a CVT gearbox. The E85-compatible four-pot is the same engine as our City's 120 PS (118 hp)/145 Nm powerplant. Like the top-spec City in Thailand, the Jazz is available with steering wheel shift paddles and a seven-speed manual mode. The familiar ECON button is present, along with an Eco Coaching function.

Kit mirrors the City. Equipment highlights include a seven-inch touch-screen audio system with HDMI support, Siri Eyes Free Mode for iPhones (4S and above), touch-panel auto air-con, steering audio/phone controls and keyless entry/push start. On the safety front, top-spec cars get ABS, EBD, VSA, six airbags and a reverse camera. Ultra Seats too, of course.

Prices start from 555,000 baht (RM54,776) for a manual version (S MT). The entry CVT variant (S AT) goes for 594,000 baht (RM58,672), rising to 754,000 baht (RM74,529) for the range topping SV+ spec.

The new Jazz is definitely coming to Malaysia, and we're predicting a third quarter 2014 debut plus good specs for the top variant. Read our review of the Honda City, because the Jazz shouldn't feel too different from behind the wheel.

JDM Honda Fit Hybrid at Honda's new Yorii plant