When Honda Jazz launched on Wednesday, it was called a segment defining car by a senior Honda official. The spacious new small car which is based on the platform of the popular Honda City sedan is one of the most expensive hatchbacks in India. The above Rs 7 Lakh car is all set to re-define the way small cars are perceived in the country.

If the highly priced Jazz sees success, it will open the door for many more super hatches to roll into the small car market. By setting the stage for more new expensive small car models, the Jazz will become a pioneer of the premium small car segment in India. Three other premium small cars are set to follow the Jazz – Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i30, and Renault Sandero.

All these vehicles are priced between Rs 6 Lakh and Rs 8 Lakh and are slightly larger than the typical small cars on Indian roads. These premium hatchbacks come loaded with plenty of modern technological advancements such as advanced airbags, climate control systems, and high quality audio systems. For long, these features have been restricted only to premium sedans. The Honda Jazz bundles it all within its compact structure.

It remains to be seen if the new extension to the small car segment will go down well with Indian car buyers. At the high price of Honda Jazz, how many will sacrifice sedan comfort for a spacious and feature-packed hatchback? Existing small car owners may consider upgrading to a more premium small car such as the Jazz. Internationally, these premium hatchbacks have been a success but the Indian market has proved very dicey to even the most experienced car manufacturers.