The all-new Honda Bold Runabout Vehicle (BR-V) may have only been out on Philippine roads for a little over a month, yet Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) says that there is already a strong demand for its most affordable seven-seat SUV. HCPI reports some 700 units have already been delivered, with a lot more eager owners waiting in the wings. But beyond the marketing-speak, everyone is wondering how does the little SUV perform?
To answer this burning question, HCPI invited a select group of motoring media participants to a two-day ride-and-drive event that brought them to Cauayan, Isabela and Baler, Aurora. The long drive was a showcase of the vehicles capabilities in terms of power, drivability, handling, comfort, as well as its versatility and safety.
Projecting the "Advanced Scene Hunter" concept, the first day saw a mix of uphill and downhill runs that took the participants from Cauayan, Isabela to Baler, Aurora through the Sierra Madre mountain range. This allowed us to experience the more than ample power of the 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder motor and the Continuously Variable Transmission with Earth Dreams technology. Despite carrying a load of 4-5 people with their luggage, the BR-V was more than able to take up the challenge.
The following day, the SUV’s high-speed capabilities were put to the test. The journey from Baler back to Manila gave the media the chance to stretch the vehicle’s legs and experience the comfortable yet stable suspension and handling. This long drive likewise gave us the opportunity to check out the BR-V’s various amenities and interior features.
While many folks may simply think of the BR-V as an SUV version of the Mobilio, Honda’s Chief Engineer behind the BR-V, Atsushi Arisaka, assures that the vehicle has more than enough capabilities for its intended purpose. The enhanced body stiffness, revised suspension, raised ride height, equally high air intake duct position, and larger tire size all make it ideal for tackling floods and increasing driver confidence to tackle the urban jungle and the occasional provincial road. The roof rails and versatile seating configuration also mean added versatility for carrying up to seven passengers and their cargo.
And thanks to safety kit like Hill Start Assist, driver and passenger airbags, and Vehicle Stability Assist, just to name a few, everyone will truly have peace of mind. After all, it is a family vehicle.
While most owners may not necessarily take their Honda BR-V to its limits and simply use it to tool around the city for the daily school run and weekend mall jaunt, it’s good to know that it is more than capable of tackling even the most demanding conditions. And in true Honda style at that.
The All-New Honda BR-V can be also availed with genuine Modulo accessories ranging from exterior, interior and utility accessories. It is available in two variants and six colors. The BR-V starts at Php989,000 for the 1.5 S CVT variant (base) and Php1,119,000 for the top variant 1.5 V Navi CVT.
Watch: James Deakin reviews the all-new Honda BR-V
