The MPV battle intensifies with the all-new Honda BR-V

Words and photos by Vincent Villa

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. isn’t letting their rivals breathe. Just weeks after the launch of a new MPV contender, HCPI has unveiled their all-new entry into the MPV segment in the Philippines. The Honda BR-V is back and it features more aggressive styling, more space, and more technology. Let’s see if this is where your bonus will go this Christmas season. 

The BR-V has let go of its sportiness and fully embraced mature styling this time around. The front face is flatter and has less contours than before, while the rear is more simple and utilitarian. It’s the sides that give some hints of ruggedness with the body cladding on the lower portion, but the straight character line connecting the headlights and taillights gives it some executive feel. 

Standard amenities are also delightful. All models now have LED headlights and taillights, 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a rear camera. The mid-grade V trim we had for the shoot gets additional LED foglights, power folding side mirrors, and bigger 17-inch alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the top of the line VX gets a LaneWatch camera, automatic headlights, and gloss black grille. 

The cabin also received a significant overhaul. The first row was redesigned to be more upmarket than before while the second and third rows received mostly spacial additions. The dashboard is reminiscent of the CR-V’s especially with the shape of the center air vents, while the gauge cluster looks like that from the Honda City. Below the dash is also a new center console that has a more modern shifter housing, square cup holders, USB ports, and a cubby hole. 

The base S CVT variant gets a push start system and remote engine start while the V model we had gets leather upholstery, automatic aircon with digital display and additional speakers. Only the top-of-the-line VX gets paddle shifters.

There’s not much change on the second row except for a few millimeters of additional space. It’s at the third row where things got revised as the right side has more headroom. Honda has decreased the bulge of the overhead seatbelt assembly and so it’s not a nuisance now compared to before. Fitting here is still snug for the average Filipino but sitting position is good based on my initial test. 

Standard safety features are also improved this time around. There are now front and side airbags for all models, as well as rear camera, ABS, EBD, Stability Assist, and Hill Start Assist. The V model gets walk-away auto lock and parking sensors, while the VX has side curtain airbags and LaneWatch camera. It’s also only the VX that gets the Honda Sensing suite that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. 

The engine is still a 1.5-liter mill but this time it’s a dual overhead cam whereas before it’s a single overhead cam. It’s supposed to make the power delivery better and make the engine more fuel-efficient. Power figures are still at 119hp and 145Nm of torque, paired to a CVT. 

Pricing is as follows: 

S MT  P1,090,000

S CVT  P1,150,000

V CVT  P1,295,000

VX CVT  P1,390,000

The all-new Honda BR-V comes in Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Taffeta White, and the VX exclusive Premium Opal White Silver Pearl.