Now that the Toyota Yaris hybrid is on the scene the Honda Jazz has lost its claim to be the only hybrid in the B-segment.

What’s more the Yaris is a full hybrid and can run solely on its electric motor at low speeds while the Jazz is only a ‘mild’ hybrid.

In the Jazz’s case the electric motor is only there to assist the petrol engine, although the petrol engine does shut down when idling or when the car is coasting.

When comparing the mid-range Yaris 1.5 VVT-h T4 with our long-termer the 1.3 IMA (102) HS the financial case stacks up in the Yaris’ favour.

On the urban cycle the Yaris achieves 91mpg while the Jazz offers 61.4. There’s still a difference of close to 20mpg on the combined cycle (81mpg versus 62.8mpg).

This means that on a cycle of four years and 80,000 miles the total fuel cost for the Yaris is £6,105 while it’s £7,875 for the Jazz.

CO2 emissions are also another important difference.

The Yaris is significantly below the 100g/km threshold for Vehicle Excise Duty and Congestion Charging with emissions of 79g/km.

This will also be an advantage when the 100% writing down allowance falls from 110g/km to 95g/km from April next year.

The Jazz meanwhile is above that benchmark with emissions of 104g/km.

Total SMR costs are slightly better for the Jazz at £2,297 compared to £2,556 for the Yaris.

But overall the Jazz will end up costing £2,383 more than the Yaris (£23,546 against £21,163).

So what is in the Jazz’s favour?

One of the key things is space and practicality. Although the Yaris’s hybrid components are cleverly hidden away, the Jazz still has a more flexible interior.

And that makes it much more versatile offering than the Yaris.