Honda BR-V

The Honda BR-V is the Japanese car maker’s much-anticipated new entry-level SUV. Based on the same platform as the Brio, Amaze and the Mobilio, it is here to compete against the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Duster. The BR-V, which isn’t as butch looking as the latter two, also doesn’t get all-wheel-drive. But, it has its USPs. To dig deeper and to see if the BR-V is actually worth your time and money, we headed to Udaipur and drove both the petrol and the diesel avatars of the new SUV.

Familiar. Familiar, because the interior is similar to the refreshed Amaze and has some bits from the Jazz and the City. And, that only makes it good, as the all-black theme is inviting. But look closer and the quality of plastic and fit and isn’t class leading. In fact, it is a step down compared to the Creta. It isn’t as well equipped either. So, there’s no touch-screen or reversing camera. It does however get automatic climate control, a three-pod instrument cluster with a built-in trim computer, leather, height-adjustable driver’s seat and aircon vents for second row of passengers.

It also has a lot of space, especially for knee and head room. And, of course, it is the only car in its class with three rows of seating. The seats all round aren’t just well-cushioned and supportive, these recline as well. And the second row can slide fore and aft giving more flexibility to occupants to be able to utilise the space in the best way possible. Furthermore, it is easy to access the third row too. The middle seat with 60:40 split function tumbles down quickly creating easy access. And once in the third row, it feels decently airy too.

The diesel SUV gets the 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine from the City. The unit is quiet at idling, but gets noisy post 2,000rpm and stays that way to its 4,000rpm redline. But, according to Honda, the NVH has improved compared to the Mobilio. And one can tell both at idle and when driving. The engine makes 99bhp of max power and 200Nm of peak torque. In the real world this means good pulling power even from lower revs. Only catch is to avoid slipping under 1500rpm to avoid the lag. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox which is a little notchy but the light clutch makes easy work of driving in traffic.

The petrol BR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC mill that belts out 118bhp of power and 145Nm of torque. This comes mated to a six-speed manual as well. But, additionally, there’s the option of an automatic, a CVT to be precise. This one too uses a front-wheel-drive layout. The petrol is quieter and more refined compared to the diesel. It revs well too and is best enjoyed when given the stick.

The Honda BR-V, for all its SUV posturing, still doesn’t lend high seating. Which isn’t bad given it is more comfortable as a result and because the visibility, particularly over the hood, is good, it never feels difficult to drive or manoeuvre. It is easy to live within the city helped by a relatively tight 5.3m turning radius. The steering is light and responsive and it also weighs up nicely at speeds. The ride is sorted too. It is firm but is absorbent at speed and doesn’t thud too much over poor roads either. And it manages unseen speed bumps and undulations well too. Straight-line stability again is commendable and the BR-V feels confident and completely home handling the fast sweeping corners too. To top it all, the brakes have good bite and progression and there’s ABS in this top of the line VX version for added reassurance. 

With ARAI claimed fuel efficiencies of 15.4kmpl for the petrol and 21.9kmpl for the diesel, the car boasts of the best-in-segment fuel economy. Pretty impressive on paper. The figures in real world conditions will be clear when we do a thorough road test soon. First impressions suggest- it won’t be a tough task.

Honda is a little late to the compact SUV party. But, the BR-V has its USPs, its pluses, which should have buyers consider it. Three rows of seating for one. Then you have efficient engines, utility, dynamics and a premium badge to sweeten the deal. However, do note, the BR-V cannot off-road, it doesn’t pack in as many features or exude the same aura of premiumness as the Creta. The decider now will be its pricing. If priced under the Duster and the Creta, and by a noticeable margin, the Honda BR-V is certainly worth it. 

The BR-V fits in to the compact SUV segment and competes with the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster. Honda is yet to reveal the variant-wise pricing but it should sit under both its competitors. The petrol Creta is priced between Rs 10.64 lakh and Rs 14.93 lakh, while the base diesel costs Rs 11.94 lakh and the top-of-the-line diesel goes up to Rs 17.13 lakh. The petrol Duster meanwhile, is priced at Rs 10.36 lakh while the diesel Duster is priced in the Rs 11.42 lakh to Rs 16.6 lakh bracket. The latter also includes the AWD version.

Photography by Kapil Angane

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