Honda BR-V: Top alternatives

Known as one of the most powerful yet affordable compact crossover SUVs in the market, the Honda BR-V is a mainstay in the spotlight within its segment. The Japanese automotive giant Honda introduced this wondrous car in 2016 that was based on the design language of the second generation Mobilio.

This seven-seater Bold Runabout Vehicle has a spacious cabin and can provide reliable driving performance without causing a hole in your pocket.

There are two available trims for the Honda BR-V namely the 1.5 S CVT and the 1.5 V CVT. The top-spec V trim is a little bigger and heavier than its sibling but both cars are equipped with 1497 cc SOHC i-VTEC 4 cylinder, 16-valve gasoline engine that can fire up to 120 horsepower at 6600 rpm and 145 Nm torque at 4600 rpm.

Both models shift gears through CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission with Honda Earth Dreams technology that makes the car more fuel-efficient, environment-friendly, and easier to handle.

Although Honda BR-V specs sheet tells that its safety and technology set-up is very limited, you can still rely on the inclusions that can ensure your driving comfort and convenience. Among its key features were the multi-view reverse camera with guidelines and 7-inch digital touch screen display.

The claimed fuel efficiency of this car is 8 kilometers per liter.

However, in spite of its affordability, there are some minor setbacks that BR-V has to solve. Apart from the lack of manual transmission trim, the car also lacks in terms of more advanced safety and technological features.

So what are the other options aside from Honda BR-V?

Because of the fast-growing compact crossover SUV segment, you will be delighted to see that there are a lot of options to choose from apart from the BR-V. We have listed down the top five models that you can choose from:

Toyota Avanza

The Toyota Avanza is a little bit smaller than the Honda BR-V but is 15 kmph faster than the latter with a top speed of 165 kmph. This model is available in six trims with both manual and automatic transmission options.

Its top-spec level, the Toyota Avanza 1.5 Veloz A/T, is equipped with a 1496 cc 1.5L 4 Cylinder, 16 valve, Chain Drive with Dual VVT-i gasoline engine that can fire up to 103 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 136 Nm torque at 4400 rpm. It shifts gears via 4-speed automatic transmission and rolls with a 15-inch alloy wheel.

It has some premium features that make its interior more interesting. The touchscreen infotainment system with compatibility to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, roof-mounted monitor, and automatic climate controls are just some of its amazing inclusions. Just like BR-V, it is also spacious and comfortable to drive so it’s also ideal for long travels and everyday commutes.

Isuzu mu-X

One of Japan-based automaker Isuzu’s premium cars is the Isuzu mu-X which boasts a speed of 185 kmph. Aside from being faster than the 140 kmph of Honda BR-V, the top-spec model of this car, the Isuzu mu-X 3.0 LS-A 4X4 AT, is also more powerful and torquier. Thanks to the 2999 cc 3.0 L 4 Cylinder 16 Valve DOHC Turbocharger diesel engine employed under its hood that puts out a maximum power of 175 horsepower and 380 Nm torque while shifting gears through a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

The sporty yet attractive design is complemented by a set of Bi-LED headlamps and horizontal rear combi lamp with LED positioning lamp.

Other key features of this car include:

• Soft-pad interior with piano black accent and blue ambient light
• Multiple USB charging ports with a 12V accessory socket
• Passive Entry and Engine Push Start/Stop System
• 8-inch Audio-Video Entertainment with Navigation
• 10-inch Roof Mounted DVD Monitor
• 3D Surround Sound System (Luxe Edition)

Isuzu mu-X specs tell it is available in six trims and in metallic monochromatic colors. The safety features and driver’s assistance technology included in this car are also something to impress you. This includes the Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with EBD and Brake Assist with 5-link Coil Spring Suspension to ensure smoother drives.

Honda HR-V

Svelte, stylish, and dynamic - these are the three words that can best describe Honda BR-V’s sibling the HR-V or Hi-Rider Revolutionary Vehicle of Honda. This subcompact crossover SUV’s is powered by a 1799 cc 1.8 L Gasoline Engine, 4 Cylinder 16 Valve SOHC with i-VTEC that can produce up to 140 horsepower and 172 Nm torque.

Given this, the Honda HR-V is much more powerful in terms of driving performance than the BR-V, not to mention, it can cover up to 201 kilometers per hour. However, in terms of transmission, both BR-V and HR-V use the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Earth Dreams Technology.

The HR-V’s interior is very different from its sibling BR-V and can be classified as sleeker and more modernized.

As for the unique features. It has a multi-view reverse camera, dark chrome handles, and 7-inch touch screen display compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Suzuki Vitara

Dubbed as the completely new and highly evolved SUV, the Suzuki Vitara also challenges the Honda BR-V in a specs brawl. The very millennial outlook of this car is aimed to appeal more to the younger generation of motorists.

This SUV is one of the closest competitors of the BR-V given that its top-spec model, GLX AT, has the same price tag with the latter’s top variant. The 1586 cc 1.6 L 4 Cylinder 16 Valve gasoline engine of the Vitara can fire up to 115 horsepower and 156 Nm torque which makes it less powerful but torquier than the BR-V.

This two-wheel drive car utilizes a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift that can ensure better climbing abilities at the start off and climbing with improved acceleration performance.

Apart from the spacious luggage space of 375 litres, this SUV also highlights the panoramic sunroof that sets it apart from BR-V.

Toyota Rush

With its more striking and modern outlook, Toyota Rush also sets a fair battle against BR-V. This SUV is equipped with a 1496 cc 4 Cylinder, In-line, 16 Valve DOHC, Chain Drive with Dual VVT-i engine that can produce up to 102 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 134 Nm torque at 4200 rpm. It uses a 4-speed automatic transmission with a maximum speed of 165 kmph which makes it a faster car than the BR-V.

You will also enjoy the spacious cabin of the Rush with adequate space for bottle and cup holders while also allowing more comfortable seating.

Toyota Rush specs sheet features a 7-inch Display Audio with CD/MPR, AUX, USB, Bluetooth and Weblink Connectivity for both Apple and Android that is connected to an 8-piece speaker system. It also boasts a simple yet very sleek exterior that complements its reliable driving performance well.

Complete price list of the above-mentioned models:

Brand/Model	Lowest Price	Highest Price
Honda BR-V	PHP 1.04 Million	Php 1.16 Million
Toyota Avanza	PHP 743,000	PHP 1.08 Million
Isuzu mu-X	PHP 1.3 Million	PHP 2.14 Million
Honda HR-V	PHP 1.3 Million	PHP 1.51 Million
Suzuki Vitara	PHP 1.04 Million	PHP 1.16 Million
Toyota Rush	PHP 968,000	PHP 1.1 Million

Verdict:

Isuzu mu-X, despite being the most expensive in the list, promises a more powerful driving performance and added features than the others. But, for entry-level buyers with a limited budget, the Toyota Avanza, Toyota Rush, and the Honda BR-V are the ideal options.

So, there you go folks! The wide array of options for a compact crossover SUV can be quite overwhelming, so you really have to think of what you really want for a car. Whether it's the driving performance, size, technology features, safety, and affordability as well as comfort and convenience, you will not definitely run out of options in this fast-growing segment in the local car scene.

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Also Read: Top reasons to buy the Honda BR-V