Honda BR-V

The cabin of the second-generation Honda BR-V looks familiar, as it has been shared with the second-generation versions of the Amaze and WR-V with which this MPV shares its platform. The cabin follows an all-black approach for the dashboard, door panels and seats, with the dashboard and door panels also having contrast silver accents at places.

The trapezoidal AC vents on the dashboard corners and at the top of the centre console have silver surrounds, and so does the hexagonal panel for the climate control buttons in the lower centre console. The touchscreen infotainment system sits right in the middle of the centre console, while the BR-V comes with a conventional round-themed steering wheel with silver garnish on the spokes. 

The BR-V comes with a driver seat height adjuster, 60:40 split second-row seats with one-touch tumble operation and 50:50 split-folding third-row seats with a dive-down mechanism as standard. The V CVT and VX CVT variants also feature leather upholstery and a centre armrest in the second row. 

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Seat folding mechanisms are offered as standard in all variants

Con: Cabin layout lacks modernity

Features and Technology

The Honda BR-V is decently equipped with some of the essentials one expects from a car of its category. On the outside, the BR-V comes with full-LED headlamps with LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, roof rails and electrically adjustable outside rearview mirrors as standard across its entire variant lineup, though only the VX CVT gets LED DRLs.

LED fog lamps, 17-inch alloy wheels and shark fin antenna are available in all CVT variants, while power folding rearview mirrors are exclusively available in V CVT and VX CVT variants. Coming to the inside, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is the standard infotainment system on offer in all the variants of the BR-V, with all the variants also having a tilt-adjustable multi-functional steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls. 

The V CVT and VX CVT variants get a more premium smart key system for keyless entry, a 6-speaker audio system including two tweeters, automatic climate control and 12V accessory sockets in all three rows. Meanwhile, the S MT and S CVT variants have a more basic keyless entry, 4-speaker audio system, manual AC and 12V power outlets only in first and second-row seats. Rear AC vents are standard in all the variants. 

Except for these basics, the Honda BR-V doesn’t get more in-trend features like ventilated or heated seats, wireless charger, powered tailgate and driver’s seat, sunroof, etc, which reduces its novelty factor and premium appeal. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Powerful AC in all three rows

Con: Several modern-day features missing in the cabin

Boot Space and Storage

Honda claims a boot space of 223 litres for the BR-V, with all the seats, including the third row, up, which is pretty decent to hold a few small bags. However, if the need demands, one has the option of folding down the third row, which comes with a 50:50 split-folding facility.

After folding down the third row, the boot space of the Honda BR-V shoots up to 691 litres, which is more than enough for a vehicle of its size. The BR-V is also equipped with cup holders in all three rows of seats, along with door pockets and bottle holders in the four door panels. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Usable boot space

Con: Nothing much actually

With the second-generation model, the Honda BR-V has become less edgy in its exterior appeal, while still having a sharp visual appearance. There are still a host of angular-looking design elements, which make the new BR-V look fresh.

The front grille of the Honda BR-V is inspired by the other more-premium Honda offerings, with the compact MPV having a trapezoidal grille with a thick chrome slat at the top and horizontal black slats below it in the lower half. The headlamps placed adjacent to the upper edges of the grille also have an all-LED arrangement, while also including dual-slat LED DRLs.

The front bumper of the BR-V has L-shaped black housings for the LED fog lamps on the corners, while also having a silver skid plate in the middle. The Honda BR-V comes with 17-inch machined alloy wheels in all the CVT variants, with the V and VX variants also having chrome-finished door handles and side silver skid plates. All the variants of the Honda BR-V come with side body mouldings, wheel arch mouldings and roof rails.

The rear profile looks very similar to that of the smaller WR-V, with the BR-V having trapezoidal combination tail lamps with stretched U-shaped LED inserts. The design of the boot lid looks simple while having trapezoidal housing for the license plate in the lower half. The colour choices for Honda BR-V are Meteoroid Grey (for all variants), Lunar Silver (for all variants), Crystal Black (V CVT and S CVT), Taffeta White (S MT and S CVT) and Premium Opal White Silver (for V CVT and VX CVT).

Pros and cons:

Pro: Sleek and modern styling with LED lights as standard

Cons: Looks slightly toned-down when compared to its predecessor

While the 1.5-litre petrol engine from Honda is well-known for its performance and refinement, it has also become much more fuel-efficient over the years. The Honda BR-V, this engine returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 24.71 kmpl, making it one of the most fuel-efficient MPVs in the Philippines. In real-world conditions, while the BR-V delivers 15-16 kmpl, the highway fuel efficiency stretches to 22-23 kmpl, if driven sedately. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Good fuel efficiency in both city and highway driving conditions

Con: Nothing much actually

There are no changes to the platform and suspension setup of the second-generation Honda BR-V over its predecessor, for it also comes with a front-wheel drive configuration, Macpherson struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear. The suspension setup of the Honda BR-V is tuned to deliver a comfortable ride quality, justifying its positioning as a premium compact MPV. 

The ventilated disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear provide decent stopping power, though we would have loved to see disc brakes at the rear too. Another glaring absence in the Honda BR-V is that of drive modes.

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Well-settled and comfortable ride quality

Con: No drive modes and rear disc brakes

The Honda BR-V is available only with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which has been shared with the City sedan. This engine is available with a 6-speed manual transmission in the base-spec S MT variant and a CVT in other variants.

Claiming a maximum power output of 121 PS and a maximum torque output of 145 Nm, this petrol engine of the Honda BR-V enables the MPV to sprint to the 100 kmph mark from a standstill in 10.12 seconds. The Honda BR-V has an electronically-restricted top speed of 140 kmph. In the top-spec VX CVT variant, the BR-V is also offered with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel for a more spirited driving experience. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Smooth and reliable petrol engine

Con: CVT feels lazy during high-speed overtaking

While the second-generation Honda BR-V doesn’t create a solid mark when it comes to comfort and convenience features, the MPV makes up for the lack them with its comprehensive suite of safety features. The standard safety features available in the Honda BR-V are front and side airbags, reverse camera with guidelines, three-point seat belts in all three rows, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist and ISOFIX mounts for child seats.

The CVT variants of the Honda BR-V are also available with remote engine start. The range-topping VX CVT variant has a few additional exclusive safety features, including side curtain airbags, a Honda LaneWatch camera and a Honda Sensing suite of Level-2 ADAS features. The Honda Sensing package for the BR-V includes advanced features like adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, lead car departure notification, collision mitigation braking system, lane keep assist system, road departure mitigation and lane departure warning.  

Pros and cons:

Pro: Comprehensive ADAS features 

Con: Most of the advanced safety features are available only in the top-spec VX CVT variant

Competitor Comparison

The Honda BR-V competes with a wide range of compact MPVs, including rugged-looking ones like Toyota Rush, Kia Carens and Suzuki XL-7, and subtler-looking ones like Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, MG G50 Plus, Mitsubishi Xpander, Nissan Livina, Hyundai Stargazer, and Haima 7X.

Conclusion and Final Verdict

Like most of the Honda products, the BR-V also isn’t flashy, missing out on many trendy features and the ‘up-to-date’ feeling. However, what it does like other Hondas is offer the perfect blend of performance, efficiency, comfort and practicality.

This compact three-row MPV has enough space in all the rows despite its compact dimensions, with it delivering good comfort levels. The 1.5-litre petrol engine has a tremendous track record, offering best-in-class refinement, efficiency and performance for a naturally aspirated petrol engine.