Honda Vezel Hybrid Review

The current hot favorite in the market right now is the Honda Vezel and if the gasoline Vezel is on your consideration list, how about considering the Vezel Hybrid? A used import- Honda Vezel 1.5X is currently retailing from Ksh 2.7M, with it being the facelift version. Prices might differ with each round of COE but it is expected to be marginal.

Honda have spent the last 15 years or so in heavy research and development to bring their hybrid technology to what it is today. The physics of how a hybrid car functions today is vastly different to how it was 5-6 years ago. Hybrid vehicles are slowly gaining traction in Kenya and it is highly likely that you might have bumped into many hybrid vehicles on one of your road journeys.

There is a fair bit of misconception and misunderstanding surrounding the use and understanding of hybrid cars in Kenya. Before, we dive into why a Honda Vezel Hybrid is a better option, here are some misconceptions with hybrid vehicles that we hope to debunk.

Debunking wrong perceptions of a hybrid vehicle;

What is a hybrid vehicle?

A hybrid vehicle is vehicle that utilises 2 or more power source to power and move the vehicle. There are many types of hybrids in the market:

1. Maintaining a hybrid vehicle is more costly than a petrol vehicle.

This is not the case, servicing and maintenance of your hybrid vehicle should be similar in cost and prices should not vary much. You can check out car servicing packages for hybrids. Cost of servicing a hybrid and a petrol vehicle is the same.

2. Hybrid vehicles are troublesome as I need to charge them often.

No, you do not need to charge your Vezel Hybrid purposefully. The sophistication in Honda’s engineering technology allow the batteries to be charged on its own. Referring to point 1 above, the hybrid vehicles that needs charging are the plug-in electric vehicles and these will have to be charged at the charging locations or at home. The Honda Vezel Hybrid is not a plug-in electric vehicle but rather a parallel hybrid.

For Honda hybrid enthusiasts, the Honda World website did a very good explanation on how their motor and batteries work together to give you the power to run your vehicle.

3. The cost of replacing a hybrid battery cost more than ksh 600,000.

That is not true to a large extent. A battery pack in a Honda Vezel hybrid have many modules that contribute to the power of the battery pack (lithium ion). More than often your hybrid car battery breaks down as some of the modules in the battery pack have started to malfunction. You will just need to replace these modules and your car will be running on the road again. There is no need to replace the full battery pack. A full battery pack roughly cost less than ksh 200,000, so you do the math if you are only replacing a few modules!

8 insights you are missing out on

After coming to a basic understanding of what a hybrid vehicle is. Here are a few reasons on why you should consider purchasing the hybrid version of the Honda Vezel. Mention below are the features of Honda Vezel Hybrid:

Bigger horsepower

Though the Honda Vezel Hybrid is a 1500cc car, it boast of a horsepower of 150bhp which gives it the power of a 2 litre car. You will get a more powerful car. On the other hand, the Honda Vezel itself pales in comparison at 130bhp. The extra 20bhp comes from the battery within the hybrid vehicle.

Paddle shift

The Honda Vezel Hybrid comes with paddle shift functions, it allows the driver to have more control and “feel” of his car. Paddle shift functions used to only be available in exotic sports cars however in recent years Japanese car brands have started to offer paddle shifts as a feature in their car. Here is a video on how paddle shifts works:

7-speed gearbox

The Sport Hybrid iDCD Technology means more efficiency and fun driving the vehicle. In the traditional CVT gearbox used on the Vezel Gasoline and other Honda Gasoline models, the change in gear is not easily noticed and hence there is little or no fun driving the car. With the 7 speed gearbox, it gives you more power, efficiency and driving fun. Due to the very technology, the Honda Vezel Hybrid is exceptionally quiet when driving which leads to point 5 where there is a need for a vehicle approaching reporting device.

Fuel efficiency

Currently the Honda Vezel and its counterpart the Honda Vezel Hybrid is retailing at the same price hence assuming that you are travelling at an average of 100km a day, you are paying this amount of money for your fuel.

Travelling Distance

Honda Vezel: 100km/day

Honda Vezel Hybrid: 100km/day

Total Travel Distance Per Month (Base on 31 Days)

Honda Vezel: 3100km

Honda Vezel Hybrid: 3100km

Fuel Efficiency

Honda Vezel: 18.9km/litre

Honda Vezel Hybrid: 24.2km/litre

Fuel Needed To Travel Per Month

Honda Vezel: 3100km ÷ 18.9 litre =164 litres

Honda Vezel Hybrid: 3100km 24.2 litre =128 litres

Fuel Saved Per Month: 164 litres – 128 litres = 36 litres

Fuel Savings Per Month: (Ksh178/litre) X 36 litres Ksh6,408 [Petrol Prices from EPRA Kenya]

Fuel Cost Savings Per Year: Ksh6,408 X 12 months = Ksh 76,896

Fuel Cost Savings In 10 Years: Ksh 76,896 X 12 =Ksh 768,960

You will be saving Ksh 768,960 in 10 years.

Vehicle approaching reporting device

Another feature that is available in the Honda Vezel Hybrid is the Vehicle Approaching Reporting Device. The Hybrid’s engine is very quiet when it travels hence road users might not be aware that a vehicle is around the corner. The Vehicle Approaching Reporting Device creates a sound similar to engine noise to alert road users. The Honda Vezel on the other hand, is only equipped with a control brake assist.

Anti-glare mirror and front-grille difference

The Honda Vezel Hybrid is fitted with an anti-glare mirror and there is a slight difference in their front grilles.

Multi-information display

The Honda Vezel Hybrid also has a Multi-Information Display that displays these information

ECO Drive Mode

Energy Flow

SPORT Meter

Elapsed Time

Fuel Consumption History

Average Speed Display Features.

The Honda Vezel on the hand only boast of a Standard Information Display which features