If you want a used car that will simply get on with it — start every morning, cost very little to run, and not break your heart or your bank account — the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz are two of the best options available. They're both deeply unsexy. Both are brilliant. Here's which one is right for you.
Reliability
Essentially equal, both excellent. Toyota and Honda consistently rank at the top of reliability surveys. Both cars have earned their reputations through years of proving the doubters wrong. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more solid pair of used car options at this price point.
If you're splitting hairs: the Yaris has a slight edge in reliability data, and Toyota's hybrid system in the Yaris Hybrid is particularly proven. The Jazz is not far behind.
Practicality
Jazz wins clearly. The Honda Jazz has one of the most cleverly engineered interiors of any small car. The Magic Seat system in the rear folds in four different configurations — upright like a normal seat, folded flat for cargo, or with the base folded up to accommodate tall items like potted plants or bicycles. The boot is genuinely large for the car's footprint.
The Yaris is a normal hatchback — perfectly practical, but not attempting anything clever with the packaging.
Driving Experience
Yaris edges it. Neither car is exciting, but the Yaris Hybrid in particular has a pleasant, smooth feel to it. The Jazz can feel a little more agricultural at speed, though it's perfectly comfortable around town where most buyers will use it.
Running Costs
Yaris Hybrid wins on fuel. The hybrid system returns 50–60mpg in real-world driving — genuinely impressive for a small car. The standard petrol Yaris is less remarkable. The Jazz (petrol-only in this price range) returns 40–48mpg which is still very good.
Both cars are cheap to insure, cheap to service, and use standard parts available everywhere.
What to Pay
- Toyota Yaris 1.5 Hybrid, 2017–2019, 40k miles: £9,000–£12,000 (slightly above our ceiling but worth the stretch)
- Toyota Yaris 1.0/1.33 petrol, 2015–2018, 40k miles: £6,000–£8,500
- Honda Jazz 1.3 i-VTEC, 2015–2018, 40k miles: £7,000–£9,500
The Verdict
Choose the Jazz if: you regularly need the back seats or boot space to work hard, you carry awkward items, or you value maximum practicality in a small car.
Choose the Yaris if: you can stretch to the hybrid version, you do lots of town driving, or fuel economy is the priority.
Both are excellent. You won't go wrong with either.
Find your perfect used car on AllCarsUK — browse Toyota Yaris listings or Honda Jazz listings across the UK.