vehicle launch
| by Tristan Wiggill
Honda composes new Ballade
Honda South Africa has introduced its latest Ballade to the local B-segment sedan market. Sporting what will
become the new face of Honda products for the immediate future, it is an attractive newcomer that should do the
renowned nameplate no harm.
T
he new Ballade is available with
either a five-speed manual or CVT
gearbox, although the latter still
features a traditional torque converter
for more responsive shifts (particularly
downwards as we discovered).
There are just the two derivatives
available, both sporting 1.5-litre fourcylinder petrol engines that develop a
sufficient 88 kW and 145 Nm.
Apart from the pleasant styling, the
new model has a larger boot and more
interior space than its predecessor. It a lso
features a 7-inch touchscreen interface
on the centre console and a fancy rearview camera (on Elegance models only)
that can display three different angles,
including a useful top-down view. It is also
possible to download and make use of
third-party apps, including navigational
maps, from the various app stores once
an HDMI cable is bought (sold separately).
Three power points allow smartphones
or tablet device charging from all four
seating positions, while there is also
generous provision for storage spaces,
including a glove compartment, front
and rear cup holders, door panels with
stowage pockets, and a lidded binnacle
between the front seats.
The Ballade’s ride and perceived build
quality are both superb, and the interior
is modern. As part of the thoroughly
updated interior, the Ballade Trend
model gets an all-new audio system
with integrated USB and Bluetooth
functionality.
While the previous incarnation of
the Ballade was hampered by stock
constraints due to the earthquake and
subsequent tsunami in Japan and then
flooding in Thailand, the new model is
built and sourced in India.
Specification is more than adequate,
with most comfort and convenience
features provided as standard across
the range. Unlike some rivals, the
Ballade incorporates no less than six
airbags, in addition to Brake Assist and,
notably, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) as
standard.
VSA incorporates both traction control
and electronic stability control, assisting
the driver in maintaining control, even
in extreme situations. Honda has
also included Hill Start Assist to the
Ballade’s feature set, making starts on
an incline easier and safer by preventing
the vehicle from rolling backwards.
| Wheels in Action
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july 2014
Other features provided include airconditioning, electric windows, electric
folding mirrors, and remote central
locking.
The Elegance version takes things up a
notch, introducing a fancy multifunction
steering wheel that follows the Civic
steering wheel’s design, and incorporates
control of the cruise control, Bluetooth
and audio functions.
The car is easy to drive, thanks to its
stable road manners and high comfort
levels, not to mention light controls.
Overall, a very pleasant package that is
hard to fault. We only hope its pricing can
be contained by a stronger local currency.
Speaking of which, pricing includes a
three-year/100 000 km warranty, a fouryear/60 000 km service plan, and oneyear roadside assistance. Recommended
retail prices are:
Honda Ballade 1.5 Trend R195 900
Honda Ballade 1.5 Trend CVT R210 500
Honda Ballade 1.5 Elegance R220 990
Honda Ballade 1.5 Elegance CVT R235 590