Updated Honda BR-V 1.5-litre Comfort driven
By khulekani / on January 19th, 2021 / in Car Reviews, featured
By Sala Masindane
I am probably starting to sound like a stuck record, but SUVs are taking over and have done so by all accounts so it is it’s always interesting to have an opportunity to test something different. The Honda BR-V may be marketed as an SUV of sorts but it is an MPV, and true to form, it speaks to the needs of owners. Yes, locally it is famous with the e-hailing services, but there is still a lot in this car for family buyers.
Looks
The BR-V maintains the bold look upfront as it gets a new chrome front grille with daytime running lights.
Inside is where things get interesting, the cabin is spacious even with the third-row seating. This means you have a seating capacity of seven. Access to the third row has also been made easy as the second row can be moved forward. You can transport more stuff once the third row has been folded down with additional luggage space of over 1,100kg when the second row seats are also folded down.
Upfront there’s a basic audio system with USB socket for connecting iPods or USB flash drives. Other noticeable features of the BR-V include an instrument panel with trip computer functions and rear parking sensors.
Drive
The BR-V retains the 1.5-litre 4-cyclinder engine with outputs of 88kW and 145Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels with the use of a 6-speed manual transmission. The engine responds well with or without passengers in the car and the 6-speed manual transmission is smooth. This is whether you are in the city traffic or traveling on more open roads. This is coupled with a balance of a good ride and handling. Our only drawback is that it’s thirsty frequently asking for 9,3l/100km, while the claimed consumption is 6,3l/100km.
Final Word
As already mentioned, the BR-V is not an SUV. It may not have the ground clearance of the SUV’s but has the space benefit for traveling families. Overall, the BR-V practical is for everyday use.
The BR-V 1.5 Comfort is priced from R309,000. All Honda models are sold with a standard 4-years/60,000 km service plan and a 5-year/200,000 km warranty.