The Airwave is a station wagon model based on the Jazz platform – and its ordinary at best, boring at worst.

The Airwave is a model exclusive to Japan, but based on the Jazz platform, pretty much like the City. Except, that its got a boot, a big boot.

How’s it like to drive? Well I drove it for a lil over 200kms and following are my observations.

When I started out, I feathered the loud pedal as we’d just been caught speeding (wasn’t me!) and the acceleration was generally sluggish – not all that unexpected from an automatic – importantly, it wasn’t progressive at all. But when the revs built up, i.e., I hit the loud pedal hard, the acceleration was marked, with a kick at the neck(but still not progressive).

The engine really didn’t exhibit the “smoothness” that’s apparently Honda’ strength. It was actually a pretty unrefined unit. NVH characteristics were rather bad, considering that the windows were up – and a lot of noise filtered through. A lot more than even in any small car! Getting maybe 4/10 in my book.

The dynamics of the car, would be slightly different I suppose. Being the first stationwagon I’ve driven – and fully loaded with 5 people and lots of luggage, I was careful not to upset the applecart.

It was nothing great to write home about though – having driven it among the twisties on the way to Fuji, it was okay – didn’t corner like on rails, but didn’t really give too much cause for concern either. Was generally okay (was on unassisted brakes and steering as we’d nearly run outta fuel!) .

One thing I really hated abt the car was the driver’s seating – everytime I had to get out, my legs fouled with the steering stalk – a real pain, adjustin the seat back and then forward again. The Jazz better have decent seat positioning!
And the driver’s seating was kinda okay when driving, but the “auto gear” lever did not fall to the hand well. The armrest fouled with the left arm (thank god, it was auto!). Imagine driving in an Indian city where every so often you get a thump on your elbow because you’re trying to shift gears!!

It was slated to seat 5, but, thats only if the people sitting on the 2nd row are all of slight build. Add even person of slightly heavier build and it began to get cramped – very cramped – more so than most Indian hatchbacks (Santro, Wagon R et al) Not a good thing for a stationwagon.

We didnt really test the fuel economy as it was our Japanese colleague who was managing that.

But there was one awesome feature of the car – and that is its sunroof – or a glass roof at the top. I’m not sure how safe it is, in a crash, but boy, it gives you an awesome view. The whole of the top of the car above the passenger rows would open up to a glassy roof – great thing on a ride! I wish they bring it to India too – subject to safety constraints, of course!

The looks were nothing to write home about – it was an average stationwagon, with the modern angular lights, curves. Nothing that distinguishes it from any other car. And the design of some parts – and especially the illumination provided by the headlights was nothing to write home about. The lights were absolutely useless – most Indian compacts have better lights!

Overall, its a just about okay car, that doesnt simulate ones senses, nor the brain. If the Jazz or equivalent is similar, then I’d say buy it only if you have no other choice!