What is the cheapest Honda car?

Honda Amaze 1.2 Trend (R 209 100)

It’s amazing how far Honda’s Indian-built entry-level sedan has matured over the course of two generations, changing from a gawky hatch-with-a-boot into a fully-formed (if still a bit oddly-proportioned) sedan. And while the Amaze’s hatch ancestor (the Brio) has been discontinued after its first generation, the small sedan keeps on drawing new customers into Honda showrooms.

Power comes from a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, and on-road performance is subjectively perkier than the modest 66 kW and 110 Nm would suggest (in manual form). Fuel efficiency is also very good, with low-6 litre/100 km averages easily possible.

The cheapest Honda is equipped with 2 airbags and ABS, as well as alloy wheels, air conditioning, power steering, electric windows (all round) and -mirrors, and a colour touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone mirroring, giving owners a lot of small sedan for the money. Included in the Amaze’s price is a warranty for 5 years or 200 000 km, as well as a service plan for 2 years or 30 000 km.

Related: Reviewing the Honda Amaze revealed its virtues as well as some quirks.

 

Honda WR-V 1.2 Comfort (R 298 600)

Basically a facelifted (and body-lifted) third-generation Jazz, the WR-V is Honda’s least-expensive crossover. It’s not inexpensive, though, with a base price nudging the R 300 000 mark – pretty heady territory for a jacked-up small hatch with an equally small engine.

The WR-V is powered by the same 1.2-litre engine as the Amaze, and its equipment largely mirrors that of the small sedan as well. Except, it looks a lot cooler than a mere sedan, and many people will pay extra for some style... The WR-V has the same warranty as the Amaze, but it extends the service plan to 4 years or 60 000 km, giving some compensation for the steep pricing.

Related: We weren’t quite convinced by the Honda WR-V’s package when we reviewed it.

 

Honda BR-V 1.5 Trend (R 300 800)

The considerably larger BR-V seems like better value than the WR-V, with its base price just slightly higher than the smaller car’s but offering a lot more for the small premium. It has a larger engine with 88 kW and 145 Nm, a 6-speed manual gearbox instead of a 5-speeder, and a third row of seats. 

It even has very similar standard equipment to the WR-V, with two exceptions: The touchscreen infotainment system is replaced by a simpler (but still Bluetooth- and USB-enabled) audio system, and the service plan isn’t included (although the warranty is identical). This seems a fair trade-off to get a much larger car at a comparative bargain price.

Related: This video review will tell you everything you need to know about the 2020 (facelifted) Honda BR-V.

 

Honda Fit 1.5 Comfort (R 329 500)

Replacing the third-generation Jazz (and getting local model naming in line with international standards) is the Fit supermini. At the entry level, it looks like good value for money, with fairly comprehensive equipment and plenty of safety features.

The Fit’s base specification includes 6 airbags, stability control (the least-expensive Honda with this feature), an 89 kW/145 Nm 1.5-litre engine mated to a CVT, and the return of the colour touchscreen infotainment system. The service plan also returns, again for 4 years or 60 000 km.

Related: We liked the Honda Fit in Executive guise, but thought the Comfort trim to be better value.

 

Honda Ballade 1.5 Comfort (R 354 700)

The Jazz’s sedan counterpart looks much like an enlarged Amaze, but its larger size allows it more-pleasing proportions. Standard equipment, safety credentials and mechanical specification mirrors that of the base-trim FIT, except that the touchscreen infotainment system disappears, again in favour of a simpler Bluetooth- enabled audio system. At least the 4-year/60 000 km service plan remains, this time around!

Related: Top 5 reasons why the Honda Ballade is good for new drivers.

 

Honda Civic sedan 1.8 Comfort (R 432 100)

Going up a size class brings a comparable increase in base engine capacity, with the Civic sedan receiving a 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder engine with 104 kW and 174 Nm. The only transmission is again a CVT, so the base Civic sedan definitely isn’t aimed at enthusiastic drivers.

It's also getting rather pricey, and standard equipment is quite stingy for the money. You won’t get any parking sensors or cameras on the base Civic, and the seats are trimmed with cloth. These (and other) deficiencies are addressed in the nicer Elegance trim, but that commands a significant price premium of R 52 200. The Civic’s service plan gets another upgrade, this time to 5 years or 100 000 km.

Related: The latest Honda Civic follows its predecessors’ recipe surprisingly accurately.

 

Honda HR-V 1.5 Comfort (R 437 800)

Based on the Civic’s platform but with lower-powered engines, the HR-V crossover marries sensibility with a slightly more extroverted appearance. Equipment at the entry level is about as basic as that of the Civic, but the service plan drops back to 4 years or 60 000 km. Opting for the higher-trim Elegance variant also adds the Civic’s 1.8-litre engine along with more features to justify its significantly (R 80 100) higher retail price. 

Related: Living with a Honda HR-V, we loved its practicality and efficiency.

 

Honda CR-V 2.0 Comfort (R 556 100)

Honda’s local range-topping model starts out quite far north of half-a-million Rand, and offers a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 113 kW and 189 Nm as a base engine – again matched with a CVT as standard. It has comprehensive safety equipment, and includes a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors in the standard package. The service plan is again upgraded to 5 years or 100 000 km, offsetting the shock of that base price to a small degree.

Related: The Honda CR-V impressed us on test, being very efficient and super comfortable. But is the turbo worth the extra money?

* Prices were accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to change without prior notice.