Honda gave members of the media a chance to test out its fleet of SUVs at the scenic Tagaytay Highlands last October 24.
The line-up, which a couple of years back consisted only of the CR-V, but now boasts of four diverse vehicles: the all-new CR-V, the Pilot, the HR-V, and the star of the event and the latest addition to the family, the 2017 BR-V.
At first glance, the seven-seater BR-V possesses a handsome profile with sporty lines, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a fierce front. With a closer look at both the exterior and interior, it borrows a lot of its appearance, comfort and praticality from a familiar friend the Mobilio.
Inside, the first and second rows give plenty of leg and head room on comfy leather seats (specific for the Navi model) while the third row can be a bit snug especially for taller folk.
For entertainment, the SUV carries a 7-inch touch screen display audio for both models with a Garmin navigation system for the Navi model.
The BR-V runs on a 1.5-litre EURO 4-certified i-VTEC Engine, maxing out the power at 120 hp at 6600 rpm while the torque reaches 145 Nm at 4600 rpm. The engine is coupled with an Earth Dreams Technology Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) making for a seamless driving experience.
On full load or otherwise, the BR-V handled nicely on the Highland’s winding roads. The Honda SUV standard safety features like the hill start assist and electronic brake force distribution make driving down sharp slopes and up steep inclines an even more comfortable and worry-free experience.
With a relatively smaller 1.5-litre engine (compared to, say the BR-V or the CR-V) and a car full of passengers, it gets a bit difficult to get over inclines on a slow-running start. However, with that being said, the car does an adequate job of getting to higher places.
The suspension does not feel that stiff for an SUV even without any passengers, which makes the vehicle great for taking the family out on road trips, which what this car really was intended for.
The BR-V is currently available for reservations of either the S or Navi variants and will roll them out in December.
Honda has hinted during the event that the BR-V will have a sub-one million-peso price tag, perhaps for the BR-V 1.5 S CVT model.