PEOPLE of a certain age value one quality in a car above all else – reliability.

So it is little wonder that the Honda Jazz has proved such a hugely popular worldwide success.

Not that reliability is the only feature that this compact hatchback has going for it, for in the car-buying list of price, fuel consumption and practicality, the Jazz ticks all the boxes.

Now in its third generation, the new Jazz is built on a new, longer platform which gives more interior space and versatility. Add in a new engine, new transmissions, a lot more technology and a fresh design, and the Jazz success story is set to continue.

Unseen, but underpinning the comfortable ride and taut handling of the Jazz is a stiffer platform, with a bodyshell and lighter suspension tailored for Europe. New ‘faster’ electric power steering increases feedback at the wheel.

Also working away in the background is a so-called ‘agile handling assist’ system that applies a light braking force, imperceptible to the driver, to the inner wheels when cornering at speed, increasing the vehicle’s responsiveness and stability.

So this is a neat-handling and economical hatchback, but it is the versatility of the interior space that has won the Jazz so many friends.

The four-metre long Jazz has a centre-mounted fuel tank to increase interior space, but it is Honda’s Magic Seats system that gives a wide range of configurations for carrying cargo and passengers. The seats can be set up in four ways – utility – the rear seat back folds forward as the seat base itself lowers into the rear passenger footwell, creating a 1.5-metre-long flat floor.

Tall mode – the front of the rear seat base rises up and back and is locked vertically to leave a cargo height of 1.28 metres from floor to ceiling, allowing tall objects to be placed behind the front seats.

Long mode – the front passenger seat back folds back to a horizontal position, while the rear seat back folds forward, forming a ‘tunnel’ for items up to 2.48 metres long.

Refresh mode – the front seat back reclines to a flat position meeting the rear seat base to create a 1.58-metre ‘couch’, allowing people to sit in the rear and literally put their feet up after a long journey.

The cabin has a thoroughly upmarket feel, set off by a modern, crystal clear instrument panel with three dials, each of which is encircled with a ‘floating’ ring of light. The backlight colour of the speedometer changes from white to green during fuel-efficient driving.

Power comes from a 1.3-litre petrol engine that delivers 102 horsepower, linked to a positive, six-speed manual gearbox, with a newly-developed CVT transmission as an option.

Priced from about £13,500, all models come with air conditioning as standard, and mid-grade models are fitted with a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

The test model came with everything from a leather-trimmed steering wheel, keyless entry and push-button engine start/stop, to touchpanel controls for the automatic air conditioning.

Safety systems, which are an option on the base model and fitted as standard on mid and upper grades, are top notch and include forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition system, speed limiter, lane departure warning and automatic high-beam.

The Jazz has sold more than five million worldwide since the first generation model was introduced 15 years ago and it is manufactured in seven countries.

Little wonder then that earlier this month a survey carried out by the Organisation of Consumers and Users of more than 30,000 European drivers found that customers rated Honda as the most reliable brand, with the Jazz rated as the top car in its category.

Auto facts

Honda Jazz i-VTEC EX Navi Manual

Price: £17,105

Insurance group: 13E

Fuel consumption (Combined): 55.4mpg

Top speed: 118mph

Length: 399.5cm/157.3in

Width: 198cm/78in

Luggage capacity: 12.5 cu ft

Fuel tank capacity: 8.8 gallons/40 litres

CO2 emissions: 120g/km

Warranty: Three years/90,000 miles