Honda has quietly updated its Ballade sedan for South Africa, retaining the same three-model range while tweaking the design and adding new features.
It’s been a busy start to the year for the Japanese automaker following the launch of its new flagship CR-V and entry-level Elevate SUVs, and so the Ballade’s changes have largely flown under the radar with no official announcement from the company thus far.
However, our sources at Duoporta were able to uncover the pricing of the facelifted sedan, revealing that it now retails in South Africa from R389,900.
Features
The Ballade still consists of three trim levels – Comfort, Elegance, and RS – the latter of which gains a sportier look on account of its racing division credentials, short for “Road Sailing.”
The exterior appears to be mostly the same as the pre-facelift 2020 units with automatic headlights and daytime-running lights, taillights that curve into the boot lid, and alloy wheels that start at 15 inches in diametre.
The RS, meanwhile, gained Advanced full-LED headlights, a new black mesh grille with red RS badges, and a subtly reworked front bumper that replaces the halogen fog lamps with LEDs on the top models; in addition to larger 16-inch rims, another RS badge at the back, and a subtle boot lip spoiler.
There are also four colours to choose from, namely Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Platinum White Pearlescent, and Radiant Red Metallic.
As for the cabin, the range-topping Ballade has received new red highlights with a strip across the dashboard dividing the infotainment and climate controls, and a new contrast stitching pattern on the seats, steering wheel, and gearshift.
Equipment-wise, all versions of the sedan come with a multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, hill assist, electronic stability control, ABS, six airbags, automatic climate control, cruise control, USB ports, push-button start, cloth seats, a Bluetooth sound system with four speakers, and a 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster.
The mid-range Elegance then adds a leather steering wheel, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and rear parking sensors.
Finally, the RS model brings all of its aforementioned cosmetic details, as well as keyless entry, four additional speakers, leather upholstery, a sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED headlights, front parking sensors, and a reverse camera.
Engine
No changes were made to the Honda’s drivetrain, and so all three units are still equipped with a four-cylinder, 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol block.
This gives the sedan 89kW and 145Nm to work with, which is transmitted to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Fuel consumption for the Ballade consequently works out to an average of just 5.5l/100km.
Pricing
The South African pricing for the updated Honda Ballade is as follows:
- Honda Ballade 1.5 Comfort CVT – R389,900
- Honda Ballade 1.5 Elegance CVT – R424,900
- Honda Ballade 1.5 RS CVT – R459,900
Each purchase comes with a 5-year/200,000km warranty and a 4-year/60,000km service plan.
2024 Honda Ballade
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