By Kelly Fisher
We recently had a slew of Hondas through our driveway over a few weeks: the new CR-V, the HR-V facelift, and the Elevate. It was a reminder of how far the brand has come, and maybe, how much it’s changed.
Honda has always held a special place in South Africa. Growing up, there were Honda boys — those die-hard fans who swore by their VTECs and Type Rs. You’d hear them before you saw them: the high-revving engines, the modified exhausts, the unmistakable growl. These days, though, Honda feels a little more grown-up. The Honda boys and girls have become Honda men and women. many with kids, jobs, and school runs, and the cars seem to have evolved right alongside them.
The current line-up isn’t particularly thrilling, but it’s reliable, refined, and honest. And maybe that’s where Honda is now. Less about adrenaline, more about assurance.
Honda CR-V: The sensible flagship
The CR-V has always been Honda’s most complete SUV, and this latest version feels like a brand settling comfortably into its maturity. It looks good and is sharp and confident. On the inside, it’s all about space, comfort, and that quiet, solid Honda build quality I expect.
The 1.5-litre turbo engine does its job without fuss. It’s smooth and predictable, but I did find myself wishing for a bit more punch, especially considering its price bracket. Still, it’s hard to fault its composure on the road. The cabin is quiet, the suspension soaks up bumps well, and there’s a calm confidence to the drive. It’s a car that feels built for people who keep their cars for years, not seasons.
Honda HR-V facelift: Comfort over excitement
The HR-V occupies that middle ground in Honda’s SUV family, and it wears its facelift well. The styling is cleaner and more mature, and the cabin is typically Honda in that it’s practical, uncluttered, and finished to a high standard.
It’s an easy car to live with, but it doesn’t stir much emotion. The naturally aspirated engine can feel a little underpowered when pushed, and it’s clear that comfort was prioritised over performance. Still, I appreciate how composed it feels. The HR-V is one of those cars that gets better the longer you drive it, not because it surprises you, but because it quietly earns your trust.
Honda Elevate: The sensible newcomer
The Elevate is Honda’s newcomer to the small SUV segment and the only one of the three built in India. I’ll admit, I was curious to see how it stacked up in terms of quality, and it’s impressive. The build feels solid, the materials are decent, and it carries that same Honda sensibility: practical, frugal, and easy to drive.
It’s powered by a 1.5-litre engine, which means it’s light on fuel but not particularly quick. Around town, though, it feels at home. The high seating position, generous ground clearance, and simple interior layout make it a relaxed and easy companion.
The verdict
Driving all three over a few weeks, I couldn’t help but feel that Honda has grown up, perhaps a little too much for those who remember and yearn for the brand’s wilder side. There’s no VTEC scream anymore, no sharp-edged performance badge to lust after. But there’s also no nonsense.
These are cars built for the real world: reliable, well-finished, and easy to live with. They may not make your heart race, but they make your life easier, and that, I think, is where Honda’s strength lies now. If you do want the thrills of Honda, however, you could always part with R1.1 million for the Civic Type R. So, it seems there’s still something for everyone in Honda’s line-up.