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7 SMASHING INSIGHTS OF THE HONDA VEZEL HYBRID THAT WILL MAKE YOU REGRET NOT PURCHASING IT.

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The Vezel has been one of the better selling models in 2015 and 2016 in Singapore. With the easing of car loan guidelines from Money Authority Singapore (MAS), there has been a traffic surge in car show rooms as a new group of people have emerged to consider purchasing a car. 

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? Venture Cars is currently retailing the Honda Vezel 1.5X at $97,888, 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 Singapore and it is highly likely that you might have bumped into a hybrid vehicle on one of your road journeys. 

We speak to many customers daily and are aware that there is a fair bit of misconception and misunderstanding surrounding the use and understanding of hybrid cars in Singapore. 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 . 

A. DEBUNKING WRONG PERCEPTIONS OF A HYBRID VEHICLE

1. 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. We think that Pakwheels did an amazing job in explaining the types of hybrids vehicles around in the market.

2. MAINTAINING A HYBRID VEHICLE IS MORE COSTLY THAN A GASOLINE 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 our car servicing packages for hybrids listed on our website. Our cost of servicing a hybrid and a petrol vehicle is the same.

3. 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 charge at the various locations in Singapore. 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.  New Car have also shared a video on YouTube explaining the Hybrid technology behind their sports vehicles.

4. THE COST OF REPLACING A HYBRID BATTERY COST MORE THAN S$10,000.

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 $4000 at our workshop, so you do the math if you are only replacing a few modules!

At Venture Cars, the Vezel hybrids that we are offering are made in Japan and exported directly to Singapore for sale, you are guaranteed a top quality vehicle and hybrid battery that is made and assembled in Japan.

 

5. WHAT IS THE SUPPORT GIVEN FOR HONDA VEZEL HYBRID IF THERE IS A CAR RECALL?

At Venture Cars, we have support directly from the manufacturer itself. If there is a car recall, your parts will be supplied by the original Honda manufacturer and fitted in by us hence there is no cause of concern if there is a car recall.

B. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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:

//www.youtube.com/embed/t1enGwT6u6A

 3. 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.


More about the 7-speed gear box technology at  Honda World.

4. 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: ($1.91/litre) X 36 litres $68.76 [Petrol Prices from Petrol Watch Singapore]

Fuel Cost Savings Per Year: $68.76 X 12 months = $825.12

Fuel Cost Savings In 10 Years: $825.12 X 12 =$9901.44

You will be saving $9901.44 in 10 years. 

5. 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 equiped with a control brake assist. 

6. 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.

7. 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

  • External Temperature
  • Average Fuel Consumption
  • Clock Display FeatureHonda Vezel - Multi-Information Display

8. HIGHER OMV

The Honda Vezel Hybrid has a higher OMV of $27,923 and the Vezel at $25,174. A higher OMV gives you a lower depreciation per year.

Edit: This point needs some edit, as there is some discussion over higher OMV and lower depreciation cost. We will need to expound on the point a little. The OMV is about the value of the car before duties, COE and the tax component. A higher OMV would mean a more valuable car. If you compare the price of a Vezel X Gasoline and a Vezel Hybrid X in Japan, you will see that the Vezel Hybrid X is a more expensive vehicle. Why is it so? Because it has more features and options. So if you are paying the same price for both, it only make sense for you to buy the Hybrid X.

CLOSING

With all the features packed into the Honda Vezel Hybrid, it seems like a more logical reason to opt for the hybrid version instead. So if you are still bent on purchasing the Honda Vezel, our question to you is why. Share your thoughts and concerns with us! 

For further comparison between the Honda Vezel and the Vezel Hybrid, you can download a pdf version of

As a add-on, we are also offering these attractive bundles to you, exclusively through this blog article. Nope, not even our listing in sgCarMart is listing these deals. Get these with the purchase of every Honda Vezel Hybrid from Venture Cars. Feel free to drop by our showroom, call us or drop an enquiry with us. 

  • Pioneer AVHX2850BT Touchscreen DVD with Bluetooth
  • Integrated Reverse Camera
  • Reverse Sensors
  • Customized Floor Mat
  • Leather Seats
  • 5yrs/ 100,000km Warranty
  • HDMI/USB Pane
  • First Year Free Servicing

For car enthusiasts, if you would like to make your Honda Vezel a tad more special, for an additional $2000, You will be able to get these add-ons:

  • AVH-X8850BT (Pioneer top of the range flagship model)
  • GPS (Galactio V8)
  • iRoad V7
  • Sound Proofing
  • Scuff Plate with LED (Choice of White or Blue light)
  • Tonneau Cover (Hard/ Retractable)
  • Auto Folding Mirror
  • Door Visor
  • Rear Bumper & Boot Garnish
  • Front & Rear Fog Lamp Garnish
  • Sports Tailpipe
  • Original Steering Audio Control Switch

 Please enquire with us on the availability of the accessories and deals before you make your purchase. 

All photos taken are in joint effort with Venture Cars and sgCarMart.

Cars and premises provided by Venture Cars

Honda Vezel Hybrid  taken by sgCarMart

Honda Vezel taken by Venture Cars