The facelifted, third generation Honda Jazz RS returns to continue the legacies of its predecessors. The pre-facelift version previously bagged the title of Compact Hatchback of the Year in 2014 and four years on, several updates to the model once again propel it back into top spot.

Its face has now become slightly sharper and more aggressive thanks to the redesigned front grille and front splitter. You also get LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, and LED tail lamps as well.

Elsewhere, the Jazz RS continues to be a well-equipped car for its affordable price point. It offers Honda's ULTRA seats, which can be folded in a 60/40 split, as well as being folded entirely (with the seat bases folded up) to give you even more cargo space. And its 363-litre boot can be expanded to accommodate a whopping 1,314 litres of cargo when needed.

As a compact hatchback, the Jazz RS leads the segment with the amount of space it offers, which even outsizes some cars a size bracket above.

Additionally, you get a 7.0-inch infotainment system, two USB ports, a rear view camera, keyless entry, as well as cruise control. Hill Start Assist and the Vehicle Stability Assist system also come as standard, too.

Driven sensibly, the Jazz RS is great news all around. Power from its 1.5-litre engine is sufficient, while its Earth Dreams CVT transmission allows for smooth acceleration. More importantly, its fuel economy is excellent, its steering is light, making for easy piloting, and its ride is also forgiving and comfortable.

It's easy to see that the Jazz RS continues to deliver that balance of practicality and personality that has made previous generation models so lovable. Together with a new face and some good gear, it's no wonder that it's once again our Compact Hatchback of the Year.