REAL MOTOR JAPAN
Sign UpLog In

Honda Vezel Hybrid

RU3Stock varies — page stays live

The RU3 is the front-wheel-drive (FF) hybrid variant of the first-generation Honda Vezel. It offers the highest fuel efficiency in the lineup by combining a 1.5-liter direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with a high-output electric motor integrated into a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Engine
1.5L LEB-H1 i-DCD
Displacement
1,496 cc
Drive
2WD (FF)
Gearbox
7-speed DCT
Fuel
Body
Crossover
Honda Vezel Hybrid RU3Honda Vezel Hybrid — representative 1st Gen (RU) image

Chassis variants of the Vezel Hybrid

RU31.5L LEB-H1 i-DCD1,496 ccFF7-speed DCT
RU41.5L LEB-H1 i-DCD1,496 cc4WD7-speed DCT

Dimensions & shipping volume

Length
4,295 mm
Width
1,770 mm
Height
1,605 mm
Weight
1,280 kg
Shipping volume
12.2 M³

Manufacture year vs. registration year

Japanese paperwork shows the first registration date, but African customs count age from the month of manufacture. Verify with the chassis serial before purchase:

Serial prefixProduction periodSeries
RU3-100XXXXXXDec 2013 – Jan 2018Pre-facelift / Zenki
RU3-130XXXXXXFeb 2018 – Apr 2021Facelift / Kouki (Honda Sensing Standard)

Import eligibility by country

Age limits are counted from the month of manufacture, not first registration. This RU3 was produced 2013–2021; the statuses below are checked against Jul 2026.

KenyaCheck unit age
Only units manufactured Jul 2018 or later qualify (8-year limit).
UgandaEligible
Within the 15-year limit from manufacture.
TanzaniaEligible
No age ban; vehicles over 10 years pay additional excise duty.
ZambiaEligible
No age limit; surtax applies to vehicles older than 5 years.
MalawiEligible
No age limit; duty calculated on cc and age band.

Common questions about the RU3

What is the hybrid system used in the RU3?
It utilizes Honda's Sport Hybrid i-DCD (Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive) system, which pairs a 1.5L Atkinson-cycle i-VTEC engine with a 22kW electric motor built into the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
What transmission issues does the early RU3 suffer from?
Early models (2013-2015) experienced dual-clutch shift hesitation and software bugs. Honda addressed these issues with several firmware recalls and mechanical updates under warranty.