Honda Brio

The newness on the updated Honda Brio continues to make a presence on the inside of the hatchback as well. Hop inside the revisited hatch and you are greeted by a dark-themed interior with contrasting orange accents and a multifunction three-spoke steering wheel that features audio controls. The instrument cluster sitting behind the steering wheel is, however, a traditional unit and doesn't boast any extraordinary elements. While the entry-level variant of the new Brio gets a single-DIN stereo system, the other models, on the other hand, feature a large 7-inch touch screen infotainment system with Bluetooth & USB connectivity and four speakers & two tweeters.

Courtesy of a larger than before wheelbase of 2,405 mm, the space inside the Honda Brio has gone up and allows for the hatch to sport enhanced legroom and boot space. The air conditioning unit is manually controlled and flaunts a digital display. Other creature comforts on the inside of the Brio include a 12V socket, front & rear power windows with driver's side auto up/down function, four bottle holders, three cup holders, and sun visor with vanity mirror.

Make the previous-gen and the revisited Honda Brio hatchbacks stand side by side, and you will know how much of a different car the newest iteration of the Brio is. While the previous-gen model looked like a cute little hatch, the new Brio is a lot more edgy, sporty, and packs in some good muscles as well. The front fascia involves a pair of large multi-reflector halogen headlamps flanking a chrome grille. Go for the RS variants and the chrome grille is replaced by a blacked-out unit. Yes, there fog lamps as well.

Having a good look at the side profile of the new Brio, we see that the hatch is bolstered by the likes of 15-inch RS design alloy wheels, blacked-out B-pillar, micro antenna, and a few cuts & creases. Keep in mind that the S MT and V CVT models get 14-inch steel rims instead of the 15-inch RS design alloys. At last, the rear end of the updated Brio is decorated with an LED high-mount stop lamp, tailgate spoiler, rear wiper, large Honda logo at the centre of the tailgate, and nice pair of taillights.

First things first, the Honda Brio is an easy task in heavy traffic and congested streets thanks to its compact dimensions. The compact dimensions, however, do not interfere with the comfort inside the car. Then there are appropriately sized 175 / 65 R14 tyres (185 / 55 R15 on RS models) that offer good stability and handling experience, further aided by an electric power steering (EPS). Combine the comfortable seats inside the cabin along with a suspension setup that incorporates MacPherson Strut with Stabilizer at the front and Torsion Beam at the rear, and you get a smooth ride.

Unlike the previous-gen Honda Brio that housed a 1.3-litre gasoline engine, the newest iteration of the hatchback is powered by a 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol-fed engine that churns out 90 PS of maximum power at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 110 Nm at 4,800 revs. As far as the transmission options are concerned, all but the base variant of the Honda Brio feature Honda’s Earth Dreams technology CVT. It is a 5-speed manual that takes care of the power delivery duties on the entry-level model. As Honda claims, the new 1.2-litre mill is sports more refinement and offers a perfect mixture of both the worlds, that is, good performance and high mileage.

Just like any other hatchback in the segment, the Honda Brio also gets ventilated disc brakes at the front with drums units taking care of the braking duties at the rear. Moreover, the Japanese hatch comes equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which further enhances the braking performance of the car. Other safety features present on the Honda Brio include dual SRS airbags, keyless entry system, engine immobiliser, and driver's side seatbelt reminder. Last but not least, Honda's G-Force Control (G-CON) body structure lends the Brio a solid foundation.

As a whole, the current Honda Brio makes for a very nice hatchback and gives a good enough fight to its rivals in the segment. A lot is going on with the exterior of the updated model, and the interior also does its job just as good as others if not better. However, the addition of a few more creature comforts and safety features would have given the new Brio a lot more arsenal. Still, the Honda Brio is a solid, reliable, and light-on-pocket Japanese hatchback. And, at Php 598,000 to Php 735,000, you're getting quite a lot of car here.