Honda S2000 Review
Published: 5th March 2005
Honda S2000
Comfort and Refinement
The S2000's cabin is snug with just enough space for two people. Head room is OK with the roof up but could prove problematic for the taller driver - with the roof down head room is not a problem.
Leg room is excellent and the seats provide generous fore and aft as well as rake adjustment. There is no adjustment for seat or steering wheel height - one size fits all but we did not find it to be a problem.
The seating position is low but with wide opening doors the S2000 is surprisingly easy to get in and out of. The standard leather sports seats are comfortable and supportive and feature integral head restraints which echo the shape of the individual roll hoops. The seat belts pass through a guide on the side bolster to place the webbing conveniently to hand.
Thanks to careful aerodynamic tuning of the cabin and the wind deflector positioned between the seats, turbulence is kept to a minimum during open top motoring.
In terms of refinement the Honda S2000 is equipped with electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, manual air conditioning, front electric windows, leather and alloy gear knob, leather wrapped steering wheel, foot rest, a heated rear screen and an illuminated passenger vanity mirror.
We would like to see an auto-dimming rear view mirror as standard because the car is so low headlights from vehicles behind can prove distracting and tiring.
How It Looks - Exterior
The Honda S2000 is a beautifully proportioned car which is elegant and sporty and in our opinion slightly reminiscent of the Porsche 944 at the front. Unlike some convertibles the S2000 looks just as good with the roof up or down.
A few subtle changes have been made with new-shape front and rear body coloured bumpers, body coloured door mirrors, new 'triple-beam' headlights, LED rear lights and dual oval shaped exhaust tailpipe outlets. The sole S2000 identification is on the front wings alongside the side indicators.
17" allow wheels and 215/45 (front), 245/40 (rear) tyres are standard.
We would prefer to see an aerial integrated into the front windscreen.
