Auto Review Honda Ballade

Auto Review

The Honda Ballade is back in town

Let’s face it, there are very few South Africans who haven’t spent some time rolling around the mean streets in a Honda Ballade. An entry-level legend of cult proportion, a good friend of mine actually acquired one in our more wild student years and despite the fact that it wasn’t very fast, or much to look at, this trusty little sedan never ever let us down on a big night out. Yep, that car showed us some really good times. Since then I’ve had a rather soft spot for Japan’s budget warrior, so I was intrigued to attend the launch of an all-new Honda Ballade model that’s due to hit local showrooms at the end of this month.
Basically picking up where every previous incarnation left off, the new Ballade is back on form by offering cash-conscious motorists maximum bang for their hard-earned buck. In fact, no matter which of the two specification levels you decide to sign for – Comfort or Elegance – you’ll find a cache of standard features that defy this car’s miserly price tag. Really, sit back with the brochure over a cup of tea and you’ll really be impressed with what this Honda offers.Auto Review.
Starting with the 1.5 Comfort model, Tokyo’s anti-bean counters have decided to give you everything from electric door mirrors and power windows right through to cruise control and manual air conditioning. In addition to this you’ll also score a four-speaker sound system with USB connectivity, a multi-function steering wheel and dual front and side airbags in case things go pear. Being Japanese the sixth-generation Ballade is big on tech too and packs essential safety features like ABS, EBD, EBA and – most impressive for a car under the R200k mark – Honda’s in-house traction control system called VSA.
For a little extra dough you can splurge out on the range-topping 1.5 Elegance model that builds on the aforementioned features with things like a proper, leather-wrapped steering wheel; Bluetooth; front fog lights and – here comes the clincher – dual curtain airbags.
But no matter which of the two ultimately tickles your fancy, both come equipped with the firm’s proven 1.5-litre SOHC iVTEC engine. Now although it’s certainly not something you’ll find in the upcoming CR-Z Type-R, this smooth little lump is capable nonetheless. Surprisingly Zippy around town and endowed with a reasonable set of lungs for highway cruising, I expect that it’ll suit the needs of the average Ballade buyer down to a tee.
Mated to a slick-shifting five-speed manual gearbox (pensioners will be glad to know that an automatic option is also available), the Ballade actually drives pretty well too. While it’s nowhere near as sharp as the Ford Fiesta four-door we tested last week, it’s certainly no dynamic retard thanks to its reasonably direct steering and poised chassis. There’s a noticeable amount of body roll through corners, but this just ensures a comfortable ride that definitely comes in handy when blasting across our generally rubbish Joburg roads.
Unlike the Ford, a car that Honda sees the Ballade fit to rival, the rear seats are actually useable. Seriously, even with the passenger seat set to take a lanky six-foot-three frame, I could find just enough space in the aft chamber in which to stow my legs. There’s also a massive boot that’s home to 506 luggage-guzzling litres. Not only is this the best in its class, but it also rivals much more expensive machines like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class.
Now while I’m not yet sold on the Ballade’s looks – they’re a little too generic for my tastes – I can’t deny that Honda’s newbie is one helluva good value proposition. Finished off with the company’s usual tip-top levels of interior build quality and shipping with a three-year/100 000km warranty as well as a four-year/60 000km service plan, something tells me that this icon might return to its former sales glory. And hey, who knows, maybe it’ll also be around long enough to take my kids on some crazy nocturnal adventures too.
Honda Ballade at a Glance:
Specs:
Engine: 1497cc four-cylinder petrol
Power: 88kW at 6600rpm
Torque: 145Nm at 4800rpm
0-100km/h: 9.9 – 12.2 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 180 – 185km/h (claimed)
Fuel Consumption: 6.3 – 6.6/100km (claimed combined)
CO2: 148 – 156g/km (claimed)
Price: R184 900 (Comfort Manual), R196 900 (Comfort Auto); R193 300 (Elegance Manual), R205 900 (Elegance Auto)
We like:

Great value
Packed with features
Enormous boot
We Don’t:

Jelly-mould looks
Steel wheels on Comfort model
Not much else Auto Review