We are located somewhere in the central side of Singapore and for every ten cars that we see, there are four Honda Vezels. We suspect there must be a good reason as to why so many drivers are going for this car.
Thankfully it's the hybrid version of the car that we have, which makes us feel a little more special. We've seen just one today, which seems agreeably appropriate for someone who's in the market looking for a green and reliable yet unique car.
Sarcastic? Perhaps. The Honda Vezel is so common on our roads at the moment that it can easily be mistaken as the national car if you're a tourist. The second most common has to be the Toyota Harrier, if you ask us, especially since this very blend of pragmatism and style - for both carmakers and consumers - seems to be the latest trend these days in our local market.
So is it a good thing to own one of these?
Well, that highly depends on what you're looking for in a car. There is no reason why we wouldn't go for a hybrid. It's an environmentally-friendly way of driving and the lads at sgCarMart are undoubtedly socially responsible people.
Thankfully it's the hybrid version of the car that we have, which makes us feel a little more special. We've seen just one today, which seems agreeably appropriate for someone who's in the market looking for a green and reliable yet unique car.
Sarcastic? Perhaps. The Honda Vezel is so common on our roads at the moment that it can easily be mistaken as the national car if you're a tourist. The second most common has to be the Toyota Harrier, if you ask us, especially since this very blend of pragmatism and style - for both carmakers and consumers - seems to be the latest trend these days in our local market.
So is it a good thing to own one of these?
Well, that highly depends on what you're looking for in a car. There is no reason why we wouldn't go for a hybrid. It's an environmentally-friendly way of driving and the lads at sgCarMart are undoubtedly socially responsible people.
There are three variants for this car and the one you see here is the base model. However, that doesn't mean that performance figures for the luxury (dubbed 'Z') or the RS grade of the Vezel Hybrid are higher, though. The only differences lie in aesthetics and a couple of standard features such as rear air-con vents, 17-inch shoes as well as roof rails.
In this case, this Vezel Hybrid variant proves to be a good crossover to have in your garage. It doesn't have high levels of desirability, to be quite honest, but at $110,000 (as of 10th September 2016), potential buyers of such a car segment will naturally throw that consideration out the window.
What they will ponder upon, instinctively, will be the fuel consumption. Although paper does state that you can achieve some 24.2km/L, we managed some 15km/L during our time with the car, which isn't such a bad thing considering you're lugging around a car that weighs over 1.2 tonnes.
In this case, this Vezel Hybrid variant proves to be a good crossover to have in your garage. It doesn't have high levels of desirability, to be quite honest, but at $110,000 (as of 10th September 2016), potential buyers of such a car segment will naturally throw that consideration out the window.
What they will ponder upon, instinctively, will be the fuel consumption. Although paper does state that you can achieve some 24.2km/L, we managed some 15km/L during our time with the car, which isn't such a bad thing considering you're lugging around a car that weighs over 1.2 tonnes.
You've got my attention, Sir
Now now, honourific titles aside, there's a whole lot more you need to know about Honda's clean and green crossover. It's more than just fuel consumption with this vehicle. The 1.5-litre four-pot powerplant on this variant pumps out a healthy combined output of 150bhp and 155Nm of torque to the front wheels, which is far more generous than the Toyota Prius' 120bhp and 142Nm of torque.
As such, the car has sufficient verve to perform overtaking manoeuvres, without having to experience painful engine noise. Given its nature as a hybrid, the Vezel is unsurprisingly quiet and serene on the go. The vault-like and well-insulated cabin further enhances this very fact, too.
What's surprising, however, is the stiffness of the ride. Whether or not it's due to the wheel size of 17-inch on this car is beyond us. What we do know is that having a stiff ride like this does make going around bends a lot more enjoyable.
Of course, it doesn't carve corners like a low-slung two-door coupe. Instead, it confidently and persistently traces the lines you instruct it to without making you feel you're breaching its limits.
Now now, honourific titles aside, there's a whole lot more you need to know about Honda's clean and green crossover. It's more than just fuel consumption with this vehicle. The 1.5-litre four-pot powerplant on this variant pumps out a healthy combined output of 150bhp and 155Nm of torque to the front wheels, which is far more generous than the Toyota Prius' 120bhp and 142Nm of torque.
As such, the car has sufficient verve to perform overtaking manoeuvres, without having to experience painful engine noise. Given its nature as a hybrid, the Vezel is unsurprisingly quiet and serene on the go. The vault-like and well-insulated cabin further enhances this very fact, too.
What's surprising, however, is the stiffness of the ride. Whether or not it's due to the wheel size of 17-inch on this car is beyond us. What we do know is that having a stiff ride like this does make going around bends a lot more enjoyable.
Of course, it doesn't carve corners like a low-slung two-door coupe. Instead, it confidently and persistently traces the lines you instruct it to without making you feel you're breaching its limits.
Is it small on the inside since it's based on the Honda Jazz?
Negative. The wheelbase of the Vezel Hybrid stretches out at 2,610mm, which is a lot longer compared the Honda Jazz's 2,530mm. Thus, legroom is significantly more generous than the hatchback. Couple this with its bigger dimensions all round and what you get is ample space that will fit three Asian adults comfortably at the back.
Cargo space is generous, too. While the petrol variant gets a bigger 453 litres of boot capacity, the hybrid will fill up 404 litres of your barang barang. In comparison, that's bigger than the Subaru XV's 380 litres and the Suzuki Vitara's 375 litres. Knock the rear seats flat, and space will increase by a couple of notches.
Sounds like a lot of car for its price
It is, really, especially if fuel consumption, practicality and driveability are what you're considering in a car. Plus, you won't have to live with the gripe of people perceiving you as 'one of those guys driving another common car' since it bears the hybrid moniker.
Then again, logically speaking, there must be a good reason why so many people are going for this car… and then some.
Negative. The wheelbase of the Vezel Hybrid stretches out at 2,610mm, which is a lot longer compared the Honda Jazz's 2,530mm. Thus, legroom is significantly more generous than the hatchback. Couple this with its bigger dimensions all round and what you get is ample space that will fit three Asian adults comfortably at the back.
Cargo space is generous, too. While the petrol variant gets a bigger 453 litres of boot capacity, the hybrid will fill up 404 litres of your barang barang. In comparison, that's bigger than the Subaru XV's 380 litres and the Suzuki Vitara's 375 litres. Knock the rear seats flat, and space will increase by a couple of notches.
Sounds like a lot of car for its price
It is, really, especially if fuel consumption, practicality and driveability are what you're considering in a car. Plus, you won't have to live with the gripe of people perceiving you as 'one of those guys driving another common car' since it bears the hybrid moniker.
Then again, logically speaking, there must be a good reason why so many people are going for this car… and then some.
