Honda Brio

The Honda Brio's interior follows a minimalist yet modern approach. The dashboard sports a sleek design with a mix of soft-touch materials and hard plastics. The piano black and silver accents lend the cabin a more upscale feel in higher variants. 

The driver-centric cockpit ensures all controls are easily accessible. The steering wheel (tilt-adjustable in higher trims) features audio and Bluetooth controls, adding convenience while driving. The central console gets well-positioned climate control that are easy of use.

The Honda Brio gets a fairly spacious cabin for its size. It accommodates up to five passengers, though the rear seats are best suited for two adults. The seats are well-padded and supportive, making city commuting and long drives comfortable. The front seats provide good cushioning and ergonomic support. Lack of height adjustment on the driver’s seat may is a downside. Legroom is decent for a subcompact at the back, and headroom is ample even for taller passengers. The rear bench has a good seat angle, reducing fatigue on longer trips.

All models of the Honda Brio gets manual air-conditioning. The cooling is quick and effective. The RS variant adds digital-type climate controls.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Functional design
• Well-placed controls

Cons

• Limited rear legroom
• Lots of hard plastics 

Features and technology

The Honda Brio gets a 7.0-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, facilitating seamless smartphone connectivity for navigation, music, and hands-free calling. The display is bright but the response to touch is sometimes delayed. The RS model is equipped with a six-speaker setup, while the lower models have a four-speaker system. Convenience features include speed-sensing automatic door locks, powered up-down windows, and illuminated audio controls for the RS model that improves usability during night driving.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Enhanced connectivity
• User-friendly controls

Cons

• Small touchscreen unit
• Response sometimes delayed

Boot space and storage

The Honda Brio gets 258 litres of boot space, The rear seats can be folded down (though not completely flat), to increase the capacity. The boot allows easy loading and unloading of cargo.

The cabin gets door pockets with bottle holders, a spacious glove compartment, and cupholders for added convenience. 

Pros

• Decent space for a hatchback
• Convenient door pockets

Cons

• No full-flat rear seat
• No dedicated underfloor storage

Honda has updated the Brio with a more aggressive and dynamic look, especially in the RS variant. The large honeycomb-pattern grille, paired with a chrome or gloss-black accent (depending on the model), enhances the car’s sporty character. The angular headlights with positioning lamps provide a sharp, modern touch, making the Brio stand out against its competitors in the small hatchback segment. The RS model gets all-around LED lighting.

From the side, the Honda Brio maintains a clean and aerodynamic silhouette. The subtle character lines running from the front fenders to the rear give it a streamlined and energetic stance. The 14-inch steel wheels on lower variants may look basic, but the RS variant upgrades to stylish 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels, adding a premium feel. The slightly flared wheel arches provide a more robust road presence.

The rear of the Brio gets large C-shaped taillights that are instantly recognizable and blend well with the car’s compact proportions. The RS model gets an added flair with a rear spoiler and a sportier bumper design, making it look more aggressive and performance-oriented. The black trim elements and badging further enhance the RS model’s sporty appeal.

The entry-level model of the Honda Brio measures 3,800mm in length, 1,680mm in width, and 1,485mm in height. The car is available in Electric Lime Metallic, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Rallye Red, Taffeta White, Electric Lime Metallic, Stellar Diamond Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, and Phoenix Orange Pearl colour options.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sporty and youthful look
• Compact dimensions
• Modern front-end design

Cons

• Rear-end design pedestrian
• Small wheels on entry-level models
• Limited customization options

The Honda Brio returns a mileage of around 15kmpl in city traffic and 22kmpl on highways. It’s one of the more fuel-efficient hatchbacks in its class.

Pros

• Fuel-efficient
• Eco indicator saves fuel 

Cons

• Not much suited for highway driving
• Small fuel tank

For city commuting, the Brio handles bumps and potholes decently, absorbing minor road imperfections with ease. But on long highway drives, the cabin can experience some vibrations particularly at a high speed. Over larger potholes or speed bumps, the stiffness is more noticeable, and passengers might feel a bit of a jolt. 

Cabin insulation is decent for its class, but some road noise does creep in, particularly at a higher speed. Better soundproofing would have improved overall ride comfort.

The Honda Brio’s suspension setup ensures good stability during cornering, with minimal body roll that makes it feel confident on winding roads.

Pros

• Stable at moderate speed
• Handles corners well

Cons

• Bouncy rear suspension
• Noise insulation needs improvement

The Honda Brio is hauled by a liquid-cooled, four-cylinder, 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol engine that produces 89PS/110Nm. The motor is paired with either a five-speed manual transmission (MT) or the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The output numbers may seem modest, but the Brio feels lively and responsive, particularly in city driving. The engine delivers power smoothly and the transmission is seamless. 

The CVT version offers a hassle-free experience in urban conditions, making start-stop traffic less stressful. However, the MT variant provides a more engaging drive for those who prefer better control and slightly improved acceleration.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Responsive powertrain for urban commuting
• Refined CVT

Cons

• Output numbers modest
• Underpowered for highway overtaking

Central to the Brio's safety is Honda's G-CON (G-Force Control) technology that enhances impact absorption to protect passengers during collision. This engineering approach ensures that the vehicle's structure effectively dissipates crash energy, minimizing potential injuries. Standard safety equipment includes antilock braking, rear parking sensors, and multiple airbags. The RS model gets a rear-view camera. 

Pros

• Antilock braking
• Engine immobilizer

Cons

• Limited number of airbags
• Lacks Honda Sensing Suite

Competitor comparison

Honda Brio vs Toyota Wigo: The starting price of Honda Brio and Toyota Wigo are ₱735,000 and ₱609,000 respectively. The Brio’s engine is more powerful compared to the 1.0-litre unit of Wigo. Features and comfort level are almost the same. But Toyota Wigo is more attractive because of its price.

Conclusion

The Honda Brio is practical and comfortable car. It’s a reliable hatchback that looks stylish and comes with a fuel-efficient powertrain. The peppy engine, nimble handling, and Honda's strong after-sales support make it a solid investment. Those prioritizing advanced safety features or need more cabin space, may look at other alternatives. The Brio is fun to drive.

Who should buy: First-time owners, young professionals, and urban commuters.

Honda Brio vs Suzuki S-Presso: The Suzuki S-Presso gets a 1.0-litre engine. Both cars accommodate four passengers comfortably. Safety equipment of both cars are almost same. But the S-Presso commands a lower starting price of ₱601,000. 

Honda Brio vs Suzuki Celerio: The Suzuki Celerio is equipped with a 1.0-litre engine. Dimension-wise the Celerio is longer than the Brio. But the Celerio is among the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. At a starting price of ₱708,000, the Celerio is priced lower than Brio.