Honda BR-V 1.5 S CVT: Fits 7, fits budget

I’ve always been asked which of the two Honda multi-purpose vehicles are better: the Mobilio or BR-V?

The dilemma is of course, plain to see. Both are seven-seaters with SUV-type features like high ground clearance, spacious interiors, large cargo space, among others.

I’m sure a lot of you have that burning question in your mind. Well, read on as I run down, in detail, the features of the entry-level Honda BR-V 1.5 S CVT priced at P1.035 million.

Exterior

In all honesty, I somehow prefer the more understated lines and exterior of the Mobilio. Its body is smoother and a lot gentler on the eyes.

On the flipside, the BR-V is edgier and, while it shares some panels with the Mobilio, the front and rear quarter panels plus the front and rear bumpers  have deeper, more expressive lines, which makes the entire exterior design more pronounced.

Enhancing its claim as a Bold Runabout Vehicle (BR-V), are roof rails and built-in wheel well guards.

Interior

The interior is very spacious considering it just uses an extended version of the Brio/Amaze platform. The cabin is almost bare though, which helps in creating the feeling of roominess.

Ceiling height is very good and the absence of a center console effectively adds more elbow room, but I’d personally prefer to have a little storage area in the middle.

Seats are comfortable but have a flatter, less snug design — kind of a one-size-fits-all feel — and it comes in fabric.

Dashboard and interior panels are plastic but tastefully done. Edges fit perfectly with one another and its design mimics the exterior lines, which shows this wasn’t just put together hastily.

Its centerpiece is the seven-inch touchscreen (it doesn’t come with a GPS system like the top trim). There’s a USB port now plus the option to connect via Bluetooth. Compared to the previous model, Bluetooth pairing is much easier and can be done in one go.

The infotainment’s interface is very easy to use, with large icons and a very responsive surface. Everything can be accessed while driving except Settings, for which you have to be on Park with handbrake engaged.

Audio controls come standard on the steering wheel.

The aircon is efficient. Even without using the rear A/C, it was able to cool the cabin (granted I was alone in the vehicle), which is better than some sedans I’ve driven.

Like most seven-seaters, space gets more limited the further back you go. It would be best for kids to occupy the third row as leg room might not be comfortable enough for full-size adults.

Engine

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder petrol engine with 120ps and 145Nm of torque sent to Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

For me, this is probably the best engine-transmission combo in the segment right now. The power may not appear like much on paper but it is able to stay right in the power band all the time with the CVT.

The result is on-demand power delivery, not race car-level but great enough for overtaking, and smooth, enjoyable driving from zero all the way to top speed.

Aside from Drive, the gearbox has Sport for a more enhanced drive (higher RPMs, more response), and Low for those steep climbs or descents.

Ride and handling

It handles bumps and road imperfections with very minimal bounce, but I felt some of the road roughness come up through the suspension.

The drive is comfortable, befitting its crossover status,  but noise, vibration, and harshness levels could be better.

While it has high ground clearance, Honda has left the floor lower than most crossovers, which means the BR-V has a lower center of gravity. That makes its profile look a lot better, but its real impact is on handling around corners and at high speeds. Turning feels stable and the suspension does a great job of keeping the wheels grounded around long bends.

Overall fuel consumption is a solid 9km/l and that’s mostly city driving.

Verdict

If "singles" go for the sportier but smaller HR-V, dads and moms can’t go wrong with this unit.

Anyone with a kid or plural know the amount of carry-ons you’ll need even for just an overnight trip. In this, space for luggage and passengers will not be a problem, even for a small family.

It’s very fuel efficient for its size, so that’s money in your pocket that can be used for other things like family trips or just dining out.

If you’re moving up from a small sedan for your growing family but are budget-conscious, the Honda BR-V 1.5 S CVT is definitely a seven-seater worth considering.

Photos by Eric Tipan