THE Honda Jazz has been voted Car of the Year by Britain's weekly motoring magazine, Auto Express.

It not only wins the Supermini category against the cream of the crop of today's small hatchbacks in the publication's New Car Honours, but it gains the highest accolade of all, that of Supreme Honour.

The award was presented to Honda UK's director and general manager, Ken Keir, by the magazine's editor-in-chief, Dave Johns.

"It even has an amazingly clean and efficient engine though we'd expect no less from an engine-builder with Honda's reputation," he said.

The 1.4-litre 82 bhp unit returns a diesel-like 48.7 mpg, yet performs admirably, too.

"What seals the deal for the Jazz is Honda's reputation for reliability and engineering, as well as the fine value for money it offers.

"Plus it doesn't take itself too seriously there's an element of character and fun to the Jazz that's all too rare among other contenders in this class."

The multi-talented supermini has already won two Japanese Car of the Year Awards.