Honda Jade: An In-Depth Review of Features and Performance

The Honda Jade is a compact MPV that was produced from 2013 to 2020, primarily for the Chinese and Japanese markets. Built on the same platform as the Honda Civic, the Jade featured a sleek, low-profile design, setting it apart from traditional boxy MPVs. It was available with a 1.8L or 1.5L turbocharged engine, and later models included a hybrid powertrain for improved fuel efficiency.

The Jade was known for its spacious 5- or 6-seat configuration, premium interior, and advanced safety features. Despite its practicality and sporty design, declining MPV demand discontinued it. It remains a unique choice for those seeking a stylish, family-friendly vehicle with Honda’s signature reliability and driving dynamics.

What’s New for 2025?

The 2025 Honda Jade RS has been restyled for the Japanese market, offering a blend of performance, comfort, and futuristic design. It features a turbocharged engine, fuel efficiency, and a spacious interior, making it ideal for families and driving enthusiasts alike. The updated model includes a bold front grille, premium interiors, and advanced technology features.

In terms of seating, the Jade now offers customers the choice of a new 5-passenger configuration or the carryover 6-passenger seating in a 2+2+2 layout. The 5-passenger Hybrid RS variant is available with genuine Honda accessories, including a premium 9-inch inter-navi (Gathers) touchscreen display and carbon-weave style dash trim.

Interior, Comfort, and Exterior

The Honda Jade features a sleek and sporty exterior, with a low-profile design, sharp headlights, and a streamlined body that blends MPV practicality with a modern aesthetic. Its interior is spacious and well-appointed, offering high-quality materials, soft-touch surfaces, and an intuitive dashboard layout.

The comfort level is enhanced by plush seating, ample legroom, and configurable 5- or 6-seat options. Advanced features like dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof add to the premium feel. With a quiet cabin and smooth ride quality, the Jade provides a refined driving experience suited for both city commuting and long-distance travel.

FAQ: Why was Honda Jade discontinued?
The Honda Jade was discontinued in July 2020 due to declining sales and shifting market preferences. Its compact MPV design faced stiff competition from more popular models like the Honda Freed, which offered similar functionality with greater appeal.

“Additionally, the Jade’s aging platform, based on the ninth-generation Civic, made it less competitive in a market increasingly favoring SUVs and newer models. These factors led Honda to cease production of the Jade in both Japan and China.”

Interior & Comfort

The Honda Jade’s interior is designed for both style and functionality, featuring high-quality materials, a driver-focused dashboard, and a spacious cabin. Available in 5- or 6-seat configurations, it offers plush seating with ample legroom, making long journeys comfortable. The rear seats can be folded to increase cargo space, adding versatility.

For comfort, the Jade includes features like dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-touch surfaces, enhancing the premium feel. Noise insulation ensures a quiet cabin, while ergonomic seats provide excellent support. With a smooth ride and modern tech, the Jade delivers a refined and enjoyable driving experience.

Exterior

The Honda Jade’s exterior blends sportiness with MPV practicality, featuring a sleek, low-profile design that sets it apart from traditional minivans. Its sharp LED headlights, sculpted body lines, and aerodynamic shape give it a modern and dynamic look.

The bold front grille, chrome accents, and stylish alloy wheels enhance its premium appeal. A sloping roofline and elongated side windows provide a sporty yet elegant stance. At the rear, sleek taillights and a subtle spoiler add to its refined design. Overall, the Jade’s streamlined exterior offers a balance of style and functionality, making it stand out in its segment.

Longevity and Durability

The Honda Jade is built with Honda’s renowned durability and reliability, ensuring long-term performance. Its well-engineered powertrains, including fuel-efficient petrol and hybrid options, are designed for longevity with proper maintenance. The high-quality materials used in the interior resist wear, while the rigid chassis and corrosion-resistant body enhance durability.

Routine servicing and Honda’s reputation for low-maintenance costs contribute to the Jade’s lifespan. The vehicle’s smooth CVT or automatic transmission, coupled with efficient engine performance, ensures long-lasting reliability. Owners who follow recommended maintenance schedules can expect the Jade to remain dependable for years, making it a solid long-term investment.

Parts Availability

The Honda Jade benefits from Honda’s extensive global network, ensuring good parts availability in markets where the model was sold, such as Japan and China. While the Jade was discontinued by 2023 in these regions, Honda’s reputation for reliable parts supply means that spare parts for maintenance and repairs are still accessible. Engine components, suspension parts, and interior pieces are readily available through Honda dealerships and third-party suppliers. For hybrid models, battery and electric components can also be sourced, though they may be more specialized.

In countries with limited availability, third-party vendors and online platforms provide access to both OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and aftermarket parts. This ensures that maintaining a Honda Jade remains feasible even after its production has ended, extending the vehicle’s longevity.

It’s Competitors

The Honda Jade is a stylish and practical compact MPV that offers a balance of comfort, efficiency, and a sporty design. Its hybrid powertrain, premium interior, and flexible seating options make it a strong contender in the family car segment.

• Toyota Prius+: A hybrid MPV offering spacious seating and efficient fuel economy, competing in the hybrid family vehicle segment.
• Mazda 5: A compact MPV is known for its sporty design and practical interior layout, providing flexible seating and cargo space.
• Toyota Sienta: A versatile compact MPV with sliding rear doors and a user-friendly interior, competing in the same compact family vehicle category.
• Nissan Serena: A larger MPV with a focus on comfort and technology, offering family-friendly features and ample space.
• Honda Step WGN: Another Honda MPV, offering practicality with a spacious interior and advanced tech features, targeting similar family needs.

Why do customers choose Honda Jade?

Customers choose the Honda Jade for its combination of style, practicality, and reliability. Its sleek design sets it apart from traditional MPVs, offering a sporty yet functional exterior. Inside, the spacious cabin and comfortable seating make it ideal for families, while flexible configurations cater to different needs.

Honda’s reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs adds to its appeal. The hybrid powertrain option provides excellent fuel efficiency, making it an eco-friendly choice. Additionally, the smooth ride quality and advanced safety features ensure peace of mind, making the Jade a solid option for those seeking a practical yet stylish family vehicle.

Best Suited for

• Families: With its spacious cabin, flexible seating arrangements (5 or 6 seats), and ample cargo space, the Honda Jade is perfect for family use, offering comfort on long drives.
• Commuters: The hybrid powertrain provides excellent fuel efficiency, making it an ideal choice for daily city commutes, while the smooth ride enhances comfort.
• Eco-conscious drivers: The hybrid option reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions, appealing to those who prioritize environmental sustainability.
• Long-distance travelers: The comfortable interior, low noise levels, and advanced features make the Jade well-suited for road trips.
• Tech enthusiasts: With its modern infotainment system, intuitive controls, and Honda Sensing safety features, the Jade caters to those seeking a tech-focused driving experience.

Jade’s Safety

The Honda Jade prioritizes safety with a comprehensive suite of features designed to protect passengers. Standard Honda Sensing technologies, including adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, and lane-keeping assist, enhance driver awareness and reduce the risk of accidents. The vehicle is equipped with multiple airbags, ABS, and stability control, providing robust protection during emergencies.

In addition, its rigid body structure and advanced crash prevention systems ensure optimal safety in the event of a collision. The rearview camera and parking sensors improve visibility when maneuvering, reducing the likelihood of accidents in tight spaces. Overall, the Honda Jade delivers a reliable, secure driving experience, making it a solid choice for families and safety-conscious drivers.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Honda Jade offers a range of efficient powertrains, including a 1.8L petrol engine and a 1.5L turbocharged engine for a balance of power and fuel efficiency. For eco-conscious drivers, the hybrid variant combines a petrol engine with an electric motor, offering enhanced fuel economy. The CVT transmission provides smooth acceleration and contributes to better fuel efficiency.

In terms of performance, the Jade delivers a comfortable and stable ride with responsive handling. Its well-tuned suspension ensures a smooth driving experience, while the engine options provide sufficient power for daily commutes and longer journeys, making it a versatile vehicle for various driving needs.

Honda Jade Engine Specifications

1st Generation

• 1.8L i-VTEC Petrol (R18Z5)
  Power Output: 139 hp (104 kW)
  Torque: 174 Nm
  Transmission: CVT
  Drivetrain: FWD
• 1.5L VTEC Turbo Petrol (L15B7)
  Power Output: 150 hp (110 kW)
  Torque: 203 Nm
  Transmission: CVT
  Drivetrain: FWD
• 1.5L i-DCD Hybrid (LEB-H1) + Electric Motor
  Total Power Output: 152 hp (113 kW)
  Torque: 190 Nm (engine) + 160 Nm (motor)
  Transmission: 7-speed DCT
  Drivetrain: FWD

Price

The Honda Jade, primarily available as a used vehicle in 2025, exhibits varying price ranges across different markets:​

• Japan: Used Honda Jade models, such as a 2019 version with 55,053 km, are listed at approximately $13,990. ​
  
• China: Specific pricing data for used Honda Jade vehicles in China is limited. However, prices are generally influenced by factors like model year, condition, and regional demand.​
  
• Tanzania: Listings indicate that a 2015 Honda Jade is priced around Tzs. 32,979,326, while a 2020 model is approximately Tzs. 34,677,380.

Please note that these prices are subject to change based on factors such as vehicle condition, mileage, and local market dynamics.

“Be Forward FOB Price of the Honda Jade starts from $2,210 as of May 2025”

Final Verdict

The Honda Jade stands out as a stylish, practical, and fuel-efficient MPV, making it a great choice for families and urban commuters. Its sleek design, spacious interior, and hybrid option offer a balance of performance and efficiency. Advanced Honda Sensing safety features enhance driver confidence, while its durable build and reliable powertrains ensure longevity.

Though discontinued, the Jade remains a solid used car option, with parts still accessible in many markets. For those seeking a versatile, comfortable, and tech-packed MPV, the Honda Jade is a compelling choice, though alternatives like the Honda Step WGN and Toyota Sienta may also be considered.

Writer’s Perspective

From my perspective, the Honda Jade is an underrated MPV that blends sportiness, practicality, and efficiency in a way few competitors do. Its low-profile design, unlike traditional boxy MPVs, makes it appealing to younger families and urban drivers. The hybrid variant adds to its efficiency, making it a smart choice for fuel-conscious buyers.

However, its discontinuation means buyers must rely on the used car market. While parts are still available, long-term maintenance could be a concern in some regions.

Overall, the Jade remains a solid option for those seeking a stylish yet functional MPV, though alternatives should also be explored.