New Honda Ballade – South African models and pricing

Honda has launched its new Ballade sedan in South Africa, which coincides with Honda Motor Southern Africa’s 20th anniversary.

The company said the aim of the new Ballade is to provide a car “of the highest quality at a reasonable price”.

“To achieve this balance, everything we do, including our product design and business processes, is based on the pillars of quality, durability, and reliability. Our customers trust the Honda brand because they know that they can trust our products,” said Honda.

A highlight of new line-up is the inclusion of the Honda “RS” badge for the local market, with the new Ballade the first vehicle to feature it in South Africa.

“Honda uniquely defines RS as Road Sailing, a nod to the smooth nature of a boat sailing on water,” said Honda.

“With the introduction of the Ballade RS, the model aims to add excitement to the new line-up with the addition of sporty cosmetic enhancements.”

Engine

The new Ballade introduces a 1.5L DOHC engine with i-VTEC technology to drivers, which promises improved efficiency and reduced emissions.

This engine produces 89kW of power and 145Nm of torque – while providing an average consumption figure of 5.5l/100km.

Honda has paired this engine with a revised version of its Continuously Variable Transmission that features “G-Design” shift control.

“This creates the sense of driving a traditional automatic transmission through the integration of artificial gears during acceleration, but with the enhanced efficiency of a CVT,” said Honda.

Safety, styling, and features

Honda emphasised that the Ballade will come with a variety of safety features as standard, include ABS with EBD, and vehicle stability assist.

Driver, front passenger, side, and curtain SRS airbags are included as standard across the range, along with Honda’s ACE body structure design – which allows for the even distribution and redirection of collision energy away from the passenger compartment.

In terms of the interior, Honda has fitted the Comfort and Elegance models with fabric upholstery seats, while the RS’s are covered in leather.

An 8-inch touchscreen display which controls a new infotainment system comes standard on the Elegance and RS models, and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Additional features on the RS are smart entry and walk-away auto locking, an electric sunroof, and a 7-inch multi-information instrument display.

On the outside, the new Ballade is 110mm longer, 55mm wider, and 10mm lower than its predecessor, added the company.

The Comfort and Elegance models are then equipped with halogen lights, while the RS model features LED headlights and fog lights. All models come standard with LED daytime running lights, too.