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Some sharp crests and poor surfaces can upset the Jazz's composure and make it bounce, which the seats tend to amplify, but it's not a serious failing. The engine is vocal when worked hard but sounds pleasant, the Jazz is free of rattles and buzzes, and both wind and road noise are low. The driving position is comfortable, with height adjustment for seat and steering wheel, but the front seats could do with more under-thigh support and the rear seats are quite hard. Air-conditioning is standard with the upper two trim levels. Here is the main point of the Jazz. The compact engine, cab-forward design and tall build give impressive interior room, and placing the fuel tank below the front seats releases space below the rear seats. With those seats in their normal position, there's room for storage below them. You fold the seats as follows: while standing by a rear seat, slide a front seat forward with the pull-and-turn handle on the seat's outer, upper corner (with the base S model you have to use the usual under-seat adjuster lever instead). Fold the rear seat backrest forward, which cantilevers the seat base downwards beneath it, and note how the headrest has been able to stay in place. Then return the front seat to its normal position, which will partly cover the headrest. When you fold the rear seat back up, you will notice the seat base is still clipped snugly to the backrest. In this position there's a large, mountain-bike-sized space between the seat rows. Pulling what looks like a handle then lowers the cushion, and the handle becomes the seat support. Other storage space includes three cup-holders, under-facia shelves, the usual glovebox and door pockets. There's plenty of space for five people, who all get a good view out. The only small disappointment is that there's no rear shelf, just a retractable cover. A single-CD player with four 'neodymium-magnet' speakers is standard in the SE Sport, and sounds good. The SE makes do with a cassette player instead, and the S loses the rear speakers. All systems are fully integrated into the facia, and have neat translucent buttons. Sat-nav is optional in the SE and SE Sport, with a 6-inch colour screen. The unit incorporates the stereo and a CD player, but the navigation information is stored on a DVD. One disc covers all EU countries.
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