Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’

In general, base variant models offer car buyers the bare minimum — in exchange for an affordable price tag — with passable specifications that appear to be wanting in terms of comfort and convenience. 

And while this is still true among many nameplates sold in the country, the Honda BR-V’s S CVT grade offers would-be owners an appealing package for a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that’s just a little over P1 million. 

On that note, here are the author’s thoughts after spending some time with the automatic transmission-equipped entry-level seven-seater. 

Decent exterior 

While we expect a base grade to be packed with rudimentary appointments, the Honda BR-V S CVT surprises with a decent list of exterior features. 

At the fore are LED headlamps (albeit with no automatic functionality) alongside LED daytime running lights and LED fog lights. The cluster of illumination at the front proved useful when the writer had to drive the MPV during heavy rains. 

These are set on a good-looking fascia made sporty by long, black horizontal slats and a lower grillework with large honeycomb patterns sharing the same plasticky finish. A chrome garnish, where the Honda emblem sits, adds a layer of opulence to the MPV’s facade. 

Onto its sides are typical MPV features such as blacked-out claddings on the wheel arches, lower door panels, and side sills. It also gets black plastic pillars and some black synthetic trims incorporated on the body-colored side mirrors, which have integrated turn signals. Also noticeable are its silver-colored roof rails. 

It rides on 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped with 215/55 Bridgestone tires, which are chunky enough to help deal with common road imperfections. 

At the back, the Honda BR-V S CVT is equipped with a decent-sized glass with a built-in wiper. Like the cluster of lights at the front, it also gets a set of taillamps and a high-mount stop lamp with LED technology. There are also reflectors on each side of the chunky bumper, which is made out of durable-looking plastic. 

The MPV has a tailgate that is hydraulically-assisted and opens wide, allowing larger cargo to be loaded at the boot. Having folded the third-row seats down, the luggage area was able to accommodate a week’s worth of groceries and some other items like a 24-hour rucksack and an umbrella.  

Spacious cabin 

You have to give it to the Honda BR-V S CVT for providing families with a spacious MPV. The second-row seats, which are finished with fabric upholstery, offer a good space with decent leg and elbow room. Passengers taking on this area will also enjoy proper ventilation thanks to the louvers on the headliner. The fan speed can also be adjusted via the control switch beside it during really hot days.

Having been used to drive my son to school on several occasions, the author fully enjoyed the cavernous second row. With the air conditioning on and the seats leaned a bit backward, it became a mobile living room perfect for playing Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection, Diablo 3: Eternal Collection, and Metal Gear Solid 1: Master Collection on the OLED Nintendo Switch while waiting for the bell to ring. 

It also had some pockets for beverages and snacks, which were fantastic for storing bottled iced teas bought from the canteen. 

Adequate tech 

While occupying the driver’s seat, I was faced with an easy-to-understand instrument panel with relevant information. It is a mix of analog gauges with a small digital screen. And while you can check various information on the small display, do not expect any fancy graphics on the instrument cluster. 

I was glad to find a seven-inch infotainment system sitting on the dashboard. What’s impressive is that it had Apple Carplay and Android Auto, which worked seamlessly with little to no lag while my smartphone was plugged in. 

Nowadays, navigation is important, and being able to listen to your own playlist is nice. Sure, the screen could be bigger and the sound crisper, but bear in mind that it’s a base-level MPV, so I was able to look past them. 

And oh, the display screen also doubles as a monitor for the reverse parking camera. 

Ideal for city driving 

The Honda BR-V S CVT uses a 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. 

It produces the following figures: 

Maximum power (in horsepower)	119
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters)	145

 

The above numbers translate to smooth acceleration, making it an ideal ride within the confines of the metro. Since it is a four-pot mill, there is no apparent jitter in the powerplant, resulting in a more refined driving experience. 

It does take a moment to build pace when driven on the expressway. However, power is easily maintained when it reaches freeway speed. 

When it comes to deceleration and halts, the Honda BR-V S CVT relies on ventilated disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. As for its suspensions, it uses a MacPherson strut at the fore and a torsion beam at the rear. Although these components are nothing to write home about, they ultimately make for a dependable setup. 

Straightforward safety 

The Honda BR-V S CVT packs some good active and passive safety technologies. Here are a few: 

• Airbags 
• Seatbelts 
• Anti-lock braking
• Electronic brake-force distribution
• Vehicle stability assist 
• Hill-start assist 

At the time of writing, the only variant of the Honda BR-V that is equipped with Honda Sensing is the VX CVT trim. 

Verdict 

While most base-level models will make car buyers feel that they have “settled” for an affordable option, the Honda BR-V S CVT is out to make its future owners feel otherwise. 

Priced at P1.155 million, it comes in as an ideal ride for most Filipino families whose motoring requirements revolve around the need for a daily driver for office commutes or for taking their kids to school — and maybe a ride they can use for weekend adventures. 

On that note, it reminds the writer of another impressive entry-level model from Honda, the CR-V V Turbo CVT. You can check Zigwheels Philippines’ full review of the sport utility vehicle, here. 

And while you’re at it, you might want to check out our take on the Honda BR-V’s mid-spec V variant. You may read more about it, here. 

Also read: 

JAC JS4: from daily drives to ‘vacay’ vibes

BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families

Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover

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