The Honda BR-V is Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI)’s entry into the competitive sporty-looking MPV market. Although it has the characteristics of a crossover with its bold and beefy exterior, it still is technically an MPV. However, its major advantage against the competitors in crossover class is the number of occupants it can accommodate—7 to be exact. Its recent update also elevated the BR-V’s appeal to discerning Filipino car buyers.
In terms of technology, the BR-V is equipped with features that are not only convenient to the driver, but also to its passengers. Under the hood of the BR-V lies a 1.5L i-VTEC gasoline engine with Honda Earth Dreams Technology's continuously variable transmission (CVT). It can put out a maximum power of 118 hp and 145 Nm of torque, which makes it the most powerful in its class.
Launch
The Honda BR-V entered the Philippine automotive market in September 2016, showcased by the brand at the Philippine International Motor Show. It’s the first of its class— the bold-looking MPVs that aim to appeal as an SUV as it invokes the practicality of MPVs.
In 2019, Honda Cars Philippines refreshed the BR-V with small updates mainly with its exterior and interior design. It was also given Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.
Platform, Chassis and Powertrain
The Honda BR-V is technically an MPV but it’s built like a crossover with its monocoque body construction. It has five doors, including the hatch, but it can seat seven. The engine is situated in from powering the front wheels. Underneath the BR-V’s hood is a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline engine that produces 118 hp and 145 Nm torque, connected to Honda’s Earth Dreams CVT. This engine is shared with the Honda Jazz and Mobilio.
All variants of the Honda BR-V have MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear. Front brakes are ventilated discs while those at the back are drums.
Chassis
Class
Subcompact Crossover SUV
Body Style
5-Door SUV
Platform
Layout
Front Engine, Front-Wheel Drive
Platform
Honda Global Small Car Platform
Powertrain
Engine
1.5-Liter L15Z1 i-VTEC I4 (Gasoline)
Power Output
118 hp, 145 Nm torque
Transmission
CVT
Driving Performance
The Honda BR-V is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that’s connected to Honda’s Earth Dreams CVT. It produces 118 hp and 145 Nm torque. The engine and transmission combo behave quite the same as before—sufficient output for the most part except for the apparent rubber band effect when trying to change speeds.
The BR-V handles like it supposed to—sharp corners are manageable at speeds, with understandable moments of understeer. Body roll is present when tackling winding roads because of the ride height but compared to before, it’s much better and more livable.
Technology Features
The Honda BR-V isn’t filled with features as with other Hondas in order to stay within an affordable price tag. It has been improved, however, as the facelifted BR-V gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its top-spec variant. Basic convenience features are also present in the BR-V, such as power-adjustable mirrors, power up/down windows, and powered central locking.
Exterior
The Honda BR-V has the appeal of an SUV but the practicality of an MPV. As such, it features a beefy exterior design and a massive 201mm ground clearance. It sits on 16-inch alloy wheels to further boost its height. For its refreshed version, the BR-V gets a bigger grille with an additional slat for distinction.
The Honda BR-V is available in Premium Amber Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Taffeta White. New colors for the 2019 BR-V are Passion Red Pearl and Platinum White Pearl.
Interior
The BR-V is a 7-seater, able to accommodate passengers up to the last row. Its second row can slide into position to give more flexibility for the occupants at the back. The materials used inside the BR-V are mainly fabric, polyurethane, and plastics, while the top V variants gets red leather accents and stitches. Air conditioning is taken care of by a manual climate control while the rear occupants can use a separate A/C console with separate controls.
Safety
The BR-V has the following for its safety features: dual airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, and ISOFIX child seat tethers. Stability control and hill start assist are standard across the lineup.
Tested in 2015, the BR-V got 5 stars in its ASEAN NCAP rating for its adult occupancy protection. It did, however, get 4 stars in child occupancy protection.
Overall Score
N/A
Tested Variant: Honda BR-V 1.5 V CVT
Child Occupant Safety
72
Front Impact Score
N/A
Side Impact Score
N/A
ISOFIX
Yes
Adult Occupant Safety
14.79
Front Impact Score
N/A
Side Impact Score
N/A
Head Protection Score
N/A
Driver Airbag
Yes
Front Passenger Airbag
Yes
Curtain Airbag
No
Side Airbag
No
Knee Airbag
No
Seat Belt Retractor Driver
No
Seat Belt Retractor Front Passenger
No
Safety Assist Technology
N/A
Effective Breaking & Avoidance
ESC
Yes
ABS
Yes
Seat Belt Reminders
SBR for Driver
Yes
SBR for Front Passenger
Yes
SBR for Rear Passenger
No
Blind Spot Technology
BST Nearside
No
BST Offside
No
Advanced Safety Assist Technologies
Intelligent Rear View Mirror
No
AEB Inter-urban
No
AEB VRU
No
Lane Departure Warning System
No
Forward Collision Warning System
No
Lane Keep Assist
No
Pros & Cons
What you’ll love in the BR-V is its styling that crosses between an MPV and an SUV. It also has the ability to seat seven people, but the last row isn’t the most comfortable to sit in. The top-spec BR-V infotainment system is also a huge plus.
On the flip side, the BR-V can feel a bit underpowered when fully-loaded. The CVT will need some time to get used to, as well.
Connect with the top Honda sales agents in the Philippines. These agents have good reply speeds, process transactions quickly and have good customer reviews
Our Verified Buyer Reviews come from confirmed customers that have had their purchase registered on the AutoDeal platform.
Anonymous
Verified Buyer
Honda BR-V 1.5 S CVT
Purchased from Honda Cars, Makati
4.7/5
May 11, 2022
Anonymous
Verified Buyer
Honda BR-V 1.5 S CVT
Purchased from Honda Cars, Pasig
4.8/5
February 16, 2022
It’s a great car for families and beginners. It’s 7-seater and fits average-sized people comfortably. If anything needs to be changed, it’s the speakers at the back. While the soun......
It’s a great car for families and beginners. It’s 7-seater and fits average-sized people comfortably. If anything needs to be changed, it’s the speakers at the back. While the sound quality is good, I wish it’s adjusted in a way that when the music is on (at just enough volume), it’s not too loud for those seated at the back. Overall though, we’ve taken it places and I can say that it has been a great experience driving thr Honda BR-V.
Ask our team of experts any question and we will do our best to give you the best answer possible.
Is Honda BR-V a 4x4?
No, the Honda BR-V doesn't have a four-wheel-drive option.
Is Honda BR-V automatic?
The Honda BR-V is exclusively available as an automatic variant in the Philippines, or particularly as a CVT.
How many seater is a BR-V?
The Honda BR-V can seat up to seven occupants in its cabin.
Is Honda BR-V diesel or gas?
The Honda BR-V is gasoline-powered in the Philippines. In other markets, however, a diesel variant of the BR-V is available.
What does BR-V stand for?
The abbreviation BR-V means Bold Runabout Vehicle.
Important: AutoDeal.com.ph aims to provide the most accurate and updated vehicle information as possible. However, please note that vehicle specifications, prices, and images may be changed by the manufacturers and dealerships without prior notice. Always test drive a vehicle before purchasing. If you spot a potential mistake, feel free to contact us at info@autodeal.com.ph.
Get the best deal - Choose multiple dealerships to compare offers!
You can compare quotations simultaneously from multiple Honda dealerships. Select your preferred dealers from the list below.
Compare quotations from multiple dealerships in minutes.
Tested Variant: Honda BR-V 1.5 V CVT
