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2012 Honda Ballade receives mild plastic surgery for a slightly sportier look.

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Honda's reincarnated Ballade has barely been with us for a year now and though it's still a strong contender in the small sedan fighting ring, the company has just freshened it up a little on the eve of Chevrolet launching its more affordable Sonic sedan.

The Ballade, which is a rebadged Jazz-based City sedan rather than the Civic that our previous Ballades were, receives some subtle design enhancements on the outside, new interior trim and some specification upgrades.

You'll need a pretty sharp eye to see the plastic surgery performed on its body, which includes revised front and rear bumpers, a more elaborately-styled grille and new inner sections in the headlights and taillights.

The flagship 1.5 Elegance model also receives new 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and chrome door handles.

A “keener, sportier look” is what Honda was aiming to achieve here.

To the contrary, new upholstery colours and finishes in cabin revisions seek to create a smarter and more upmarket ambience.

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Furthermore, Honda has added some new features to the Elegance in the form of a leather-trimmed, multi-function steering wheel with rake and reach adjustment, centre and rear armrests and an under-seat storage tray in the rear.

The cheaper Comfort model holds onto its previous spec sheet, which includes cruise control, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, trip computer, MP3/CD/USB audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Ballade is untouched beneath its exterior shell, where motivation is still provided by Honda's 1.5-litre petrol engine that pushes 88kW at 6600rpm and 145Nm at 4800rpm. Its i-VTEC system adjusts intake valve timing and valve lift settings to suit both low and high-speed driving.

Buyers can opt for either manual or automatic transmission, both featuring five forward gears.

PRICES:

1.5 Comfort - R184 900

1.5 Comfort AT - R196 900

1.5 Elegance - R197 800

1.5 Elegance AT - R210 000

Included is a four-year/60 000km service plan and three-year/100 000km warranty.