1.4 IMA ES CVT 4dr Auto

Easy and comfortable everyday transport.

Reliable up to 10 years old / 67,000 miles and then electrical elements begin to fail. Honda apparently has had numerous issues with batteries and software over the years that saw adjustments to limit the operation of the IMA system reducing the fuel efficiency. Most batteries need replacement at 10 years old (not unreasonable), and prior to that increasing intermittent faults and warning lights indicated issues.
A new battery is £1,853 fitted at the dealer although original quotes were for over £3,000. Some cars apparently had batteries changed for free by Honda earlier, depending on their cycle of use.

Additional issues require expensive dealer investigations often simply reseting fault codes expect a minimum of 3 hours i.e. current regulator £594 replaced (3 hours labour). Recent unexplained failure following hard braking cost £288 of labour (again 3 hours) and required a code reset and road testing - software was already the latest available but it was suggested that the Motor Control Module needed replacing a £4,200 part (bonkers) - second hand units are £250. Buy an OBDII tool and you can follow the reset process laid out in the Honda workshop manual which is available on line and save the garage costs.

Ironically the ICE portion of the vehicle has been faultless and the apart from replacement brake calipers £108 (after market) the mechanical reliability has been excellent as you would expect from Honda. On a motor way trip fuel consumption is 40mpg at 80mph, 45mpg at 70 mph, 50mpg at 60mph and 55mpg at 50mph. This varies with temperature and improves in the summer and worsens in winter. Best achieved was 63mpg at 50 mph clogging up the A303 on a hot summer day. The car will run for approximately 1 mile on flat roads on electric power with the cruise control set at it's lowest speed 27 mph.

Very easy and relaxing to drive and reasonably comfortable but tends to crash into potholes and shows the effect of the increased weight compared to the standard version, which I have driven in the middle east with a 1.8 VTEC engine. Performance is comparable between the two and it easily keeps up with motorway traffic at speed although the engine will rev if driven hard as with most CVT cars. Handling is predicable and levels of grip are good, with well weighted controls and reasonable feedback. Quality of the interior and fit and finish are very good.

Insurance (£250) has been higher than other cars the family runs including an MX-5 sports car, however road tax is only £12 and servicing at the dealer is between £280 - £340. Premium Goodyear low rolling resistance tyres are £250 all round.

A blue tooth adaptor can be fitted to the radio to allow connection of phones, etc... a relatively straight forward You Tube video but requires the removal of the facia.

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