Honda Ballade 1.5 Comfort CVT (2022) Review

Introduction

If you're after a compact sedan that simply gets the job done, the Honda Ballade 1.5 Comfort CVT is as honest as it comes. No drama, no empty promises - just a mature cabin, trademark Honda reliability, and a warranty that’ll probably outlast your next relationship. The refreshed GN-generation is now stretching its legs at local dealers, and this Ballade badge? It’s been part of the South African scene since 1982, back when you’d pick one up from a Mercedes-Benz forecourt. That’s the kind of local history you won’t hear from every corner.

Key takeaway: The Ballade is a well-priced, honest sedan with real Honda staying power - ignored because it’s a sedan, not because there’s anything wrong with it.

Design & Exterior

No one’s rubbernecking at a Ballade at the robots, and that’s exactly the vibe Honda intended. The current GN silhouette, first landing here in 2020 and now sporting a tidier facelift, could idle through the city for a decade without ever looking out of place. Subtle. Understated. Zero nonsense.

Stance and proportions

What sets the Ballade apart? It sits noticeably lower than the Elevate, giving it real sedan presence - so parking next to a Ballade or Corolla, it finally feels like it belongs in their league. The lower roofline isn’t just for show; it helps in car parks and under low-hanging branches, and the design lands better in the flesh. Ground clearance is typical sedan fare - enough for potholes and suburban speed humps, but don’t expect Everest-conquering numbers. I clipped a sharp lip, and the suspension shrugged it off, no scraping, no drama. That’s peace of mind if you’re tired of cringing at every dip in the tar.

Facelift detail changes

• Grille now looks smarter, less busy than before
• 15-inch alloys standard on Comfort (RS steps up to 16s, but honestly, more sidewall equals better comfort around Gauteng)
• LED lighting signatures are sharper front and back
• Body-coloured mirrors and handles - the plastic look is gone

Park it next to a Suzuki Ciaz or Polo sedan, and you’ll see it: the Ballade looks pricier, and it is. The proportions are just right for the segment.

Cabin & Practicality

Here’s where the Ballade pulls ahead. The interior justifies the extra spend over its budget rivals and feels like it’ll age well.

Materials and ergonomics

Soft-touch upper dash, proper climate buttons (a rare win these days), and a steering wheel that feels like it belongs in a car, not a toy box. The 8-inch touchscreen gets you Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is now non-negotiable. But Honda, please: bring back the volume knob. Every time I tried to mute during a phone call, I fumbled and missed it. Tiny thing, but it’ll drive you mad if you listen to a lot of radio or podcasts.

Space and ISOFIX

Rear legroom trumps the Polo sedan by a margin, no contest. The nearly flat floor means three adults can survive a lift club run without a fight. ISOFIX points are right there - managed to fit a rear-facing seat on my first go, no sweating or cursing required.

Boot reality

Honda Ballade boot space is competitive - well over 400 litres, with some sources quoting 506 litres. Here’s the rub: the back seat doesn’t fold. That’s a problem if you need to move a bicycle, a flat-pack desk, or even a pram that doesn’t collapse perfectly. Every rival now gives you a folding rear bench - the Ballade stands alone, and not in a good way. If you pack smart, you’ll still get caught out the minute you buy something long at Builders.

On the Road

Point the Ballade at the highway and let it settle into its groove. It’s at home at 120, not in any rush to get there, but calm and collected once you’re up to speed.

Engine and gearbox

Under the bonnet: a 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder with 89 kW, turning the front wheels via a CVT. No turbo, no hybrid, just pure Honda honesty. At Highveld altitude, you’ll feel the lack of forced induction - overtaking on the freeway? Plan ahead. Press the pedal and the CVT sends the revs skyward, but don’t expect a shove in the back. Accept its rhythm, keep it between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm, and it’ll cruise all day quietly.

Ride and refinement

Comfort by name, comfort by nature. Those 15-inch wheels and chunkier tyres mop up concrete joints and patchwork tar on the N3 like a bigger car. At a true 120 km/h, wind noise is subdued. On worn tar outside Parys, tyre roar is the main soundtrack - but that’s a trade-off I’d take for a softer ride, every time.

Real-world consumption

• Honda’s official combined claim: 5.5 L/100 km
• My real mixed-use in Gauteng: 6.8 L/100 km
• Highway loop to Parys and back: 5.9 L/100 km

That 6.8 figure is what most buyers can expect with a mix of school runs, highways, and the odd detour. I’ve seen similar numbers in previous Ballade tests - nothing tricky, just honest consumption. Not a hybrid, sure, but fewer parts to worry about when the warranty runs out.

Data & Comparison

How the Ballade Comfort stacks up

Ownership maths

Over five years, expect to spend around R230,000 in total ownership costs, based on current figures. That’s solid value, especially when you factor in the Ballade’s aftersales backup: a 5-year/200,000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan, both carried over to the facelift. Honda Ballade service plan South Africa gives you peace of mind well beyond the three-year mark, where most competitors expect you to trade in or pay up.

Segment trend reality

Don’t believe the noise - sedans like the Ballade haven’t disappeared, they’ve just gone quiet. Search data pegs sedan interest at 67 out of 100 for 2025, compared to 76 for SUVs. The Ballade's pricing is sharper because it’s fighting for a smaller slice of buyers, but that helps you as a consumer.

Pricing context

Honda Ballade price in South Africa starts at R389,900 for the facelifted range, topping out at R459,900. The 1.5 Comfort CVT is the smart buy - all Ballades use the same engine, so you’re not missing out on power or efficiency by skipping the RS. That’s what matters if you’re counting rands at the dealership.

Editorial Focus

Why this is the overlooked SA sedan

After over forty years on sale locally, the Ballade is still invisible to most. It beat the Corolla Quest, Polo sedan, and any Indian import to the punch, yet it barely registers at a Saturday coffee stop. Ask around - you’ll get blank stares, maybe a Civic story from someone’s uncle. It’s just hiding in plain sight.

Three things explain why. Honda’s dealer network is smaller here, so you see fewer Ballades on the road. Sedans generally have lost ground to SUVs, shrinking the pool of shoppers. And Honda’s facelift launch was so quiet you’d think they were trying to keep it a secret.

But don’t mistake quiet for irrelevant. Honda Ballade reliability, that generous warranty, a genuinely nicer cabin than a Quest for similar money, and real-world fuel in the 6s make the case. It’s what the Ballade should have been from the start - a quietly confident family sedan with real backup. The tragedy? The people who’d love it most rarely know it’s there.

People Also Ask

Is the Honda Ballade reliable?

Honda’s rep is hard-won in South Africa. The Ballade uses a tried-and-tested 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and a CVT that’s clocked up hundreds of thousands of local kilometres. That 5-year/200 000 km warranty means you’re well covered for the long haul.

What are the 2007 Honda Civic common problems and 2008 Honda Civic common problems owners should know about?

The 2007 and 2008 Civics had a few headaches - cracked engine blocks (mostly on the 1.8s), premature brake wear, and air-con compressors that could throw in the towel at high mileage. None of those issues is present in the current Ballade, so unless you’re buying second-hand, it’s not a worry. Still, it helps to know if you’re poking around the classifieds.

How much boot space does the Honda Ballade have?

Official numbers range from just over 400 litres to 506 litres. But here’s the practical catch: the rear bench doesn’t fold. So while the Honda Ballade boot space is good for suitcases, anything long - like a surfboard or a flat-pack shelf - just won’t fit. That’s a real limitation for some buyers.

What's the Honda Ballade ground clearance like for SA roads?

Clearance is typical for a compact sedan: enough for regular speed humps, battered tar, and the odd bit of gravel. I took the Ballade over a rough patch near - no scuffs, no bottoming out. If your weekends involve regular farm tracks or deep gravel, the Elevate makes more sense.

Is the Honda Ballade 1.5 Comfort CVT worth it over the RS?

For most buyers, yes. All Ballades get the same 89 kW engine, so the Comfort isn’t left behind. You give up some extra trim and gadgets, but you save around R70 000. That pays for a lot of fuel, tyres, or a decent insurance plan.

What does the Honda Ballade service plan in South Africa cover?

The Ballade facelift includes a 4-year/60 000 km service plan for scheduled work at official Honda dealers. Add the 5-year/200 000 km warranty and you’re covered for most big expenses in the first four years - excluding the usual wear-and-tear items. It’s a package that lasts longer than most rivals offer.

Verdict

Who should buy it

Go for the Ballade 1.5 Comfort CVT if you want fuss-free family space, a warranty that puts you at ease, and real-world fuel use of 6–7 L/100 km. Perfect for households doing suburb-to-CBD duty, retirees wanting their final new car, or families who don’t care about folding back seats. I once watched a friend fit two prams and a week’s groceries in the boot - tight, but doable if you pack smart.

Who should skip it

Skip the Ballade if you haul long cargo, need more ground clearance for regular gravel runs, or if the Suzuki Ciaz’s low price is your only concern - the Ballade will set you back about R80 000 more. You’ll need to justify that with the peace-of-mind maths around Honda’s warranty and service plan.

Rating

4 out of 5. One mark down for the fixed rear bench and missing volume knob - Honda could fix those easily. The rest? Solid. The Ballade deserves more attention than it gets, and that’s the point.