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Honda Saber UA4 3.2 i V6 24V (225 Hp)
Overall Rating
Honda Saber:
The Honda Inspire is a mid-size sedan derived from the Honda Accord chassis. The first Inspire debuted in late 1989 as the Accord Inspire, a sister nameplate to the Honda Vigor. It was sold at different retail channels in Japan, known as Honda Verno for the Vigor/Saber, and as the Inspire at Honda Clio stores.
In 1995, the Inspire was updated and exported to the US as the Acura 3. 2 TL, while the Vigor nameplate was replaced with the Honda Saber. The longitudinal 2. 5L straight-five engine layout and platform remained and was sold as the Acura 2. 5 TL....(Read more on Wikipedia)
UA4 Overview:
Honda Saber (UA4). With 294 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~10.75 l/100km). With a weight of 1520 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Honda Saber UA4 was primarily a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicle and was not officially tested by Euro NCAP. Safety features for its era included ABS.
3.2 i V6 24V (225 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 3.2L V6 offers strong, smooth acceleration, making it well-suited for highway cruising and confident overtaking. Power delivery is linear and refined.
Fuel Economy
Despite its displacement, the 3.2L V6 achieves reasonable fuel economy for its class, especially on extra-urban cycles, balancing power with efficiency.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Smooth and refined V6 engines
- • Excellent ride comfort and quiet cabin
- • Honda's legendary reliability and durability
- • Spacious and well-appointed interior for its class
- • Good highway cruising capabilities
Cons:
- • Front-wheel drive only, lacking RWD/AWD options of some rivals
- • Handling is comfort-oriented, not particularly sporty
- • Dated interior technology compared to modern standards
- • Parts availability can be challenging outside of Japan
- • Exterior styling is somewhat conservative
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(U1/U2: 1995 - 1998).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Honda |
| Model: | Saber |
| Generation: | UA4 |
| Modification (Engine): | 3.2 i V6 24V (225 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1998 |
| End of production: | 2003 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 225 Hp @ 5500 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 70.1 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 294 Nm @ 4500 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 3210 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHC |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 89 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 86 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.8:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 10.75 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 5.49 l/100 km |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 6.8 kg/Hp, 148 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 5.2 kg/Nm, 193.4 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1520 |
| Max. weight: | 1795 |
| Max load: | 275 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 405 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 65 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4840 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1785 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1420 mm mm [15mm more] |
| Wheelbase: | 2745 mm mm [95mm less] |
| Front track: | 1555 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1535 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 205/60 R15 |
| Front suspension | Coil spring |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
Every driver has a story. What’s yours with the Honda Saber?