Honda Brio 2019

The Honda Brio was officially launched in the Philippines on April 2019. After a hiatus away from the market, the nameplate made a strong comeback. The introduction brought interest back into the segment thanks to the sharp looks captivated onlookers and prospective buyers. 

At launch, the Brio was priced at P585,000 for the S MT, P646,000 for the V CVT,  P727,000 for the RS CVT, and P732,000 for the RS Black Top CVT. Honda sold the Brio at this special introductory price, which was increased a few months post-launch. The Brio still starts at P598,000 for the S MT trim, however. 

Honda is using the G-CON body in the newest Brio, which ensures safety and performance. The small hatchback gets a slightly longer wheelbase which allows for more stability and space. Like its subcompact brothers, the Brio has MacPherson struts in the front and complemented by a torsion beam in the rear. 

The engine in question here is part of Honda’s L-series of engines. This is the same engine family that the Honda Jazz, City, and Civic RS take their motors from. The engine that can be found in the Brio is an L12 1.2L SOHC i-VTEC engine that produces 89 hp and 110 Nm of torque. The engine sends the power through either a five-speed manual or an Earth Dreams CVT to the front wheels of the car. 

Honda is known for making vehicles with sharp handling that runs on a front-wheel-drivetrain. The Brio is a standout in this regard thanks to the small wheelbase and lightweight chassis. Thanks to the 1.2L i-VTEC engine paired with either a five-speed manual or Earth Dreams CVT, the Brio can achieve respectable fuel economy figures while being a respectable performer in the city and the highway. 

In the interest of technology, the Brio features a seven-inch touch screen infotainment system that can be had with either four or six speakers. The 1.2 S MT variant comes with a basic unit, however. From the 1.2 V variant onwards, the small hatchback features speed-sensing door locks as well as a set of power-folding side mirrors in the RS variant. 

The Mobilio RS is the Brio’s closest counterpart in terms of looks. When the MPV was launched, it was only a matter of time before Honda let out the updated Brio with an exterior that would grab attention just like its sibling did back when it was launched. 

The front is equipped with halogen reflector headlamps and fog lamps depending on the trim level. The exciting H grille is proudly on display with the Honda emblem flanked by two wings. If you opt for the RS Design trim level, you trade the 14-inch steel or alloy wheels for two-tone 15-inch units that give the Brio some sporting appeal. Instead of chrome, you get piano gloss black in the grille along with the RS Design emblem to go along with it. At the back, you get a rear spoiler along with a rear diffuser for the rear bumper. This trim level gets you the most stylish Brio you can buy, but the interior wasn’t left out of the equation. 

This hatchback is available in range of neutral and colorful tones, 5 in total. Taffeta White, Modern Steel Metallic, Carnival Yellow, Phoenix Orange Pearl, and Rallye Red populate the selection, with Phoenix Orange Pearl being an RS exclusive color. All RS models in orange, yellow, and white come with a Black Top option that colors the roof of the hatchback a glossy black to add contrast to the bright colors. The non-RS exclusive color is the Rallye Red, which is available for only the S MT and the V CVT variants. 

Stepping inside the Brio is easy enough, thanks to the rather large doors and the ample seating space. Inside, it shares the same interior as the Mobilio and BR-V, which also take inspiration from the Jazz, City, and Civic. RS variants will enjoy orange accents and an RS badge in the gauge cluster. Special seats will also be included in the RS Design package. These seats have orange accents with an adjustable headrest, a feature that can’t be found in non-RS variants. For V variants and up, you get a seven-inch infotainment system with steering wheel media controls. The Brio comes standard with four speakers for all trims except for the RS, which has a six-speaker setup. 

Rear passenger space is not a compromise here, as it is comparable to the subcompact offerings of Honda. It serves its purpose and has enough head and legroom to fit a fully grown adult, with the only caveat being horizontal space. Fitting a party of three in the back may be a challenge. 

Cargo space is ample for its class. Loading items into the back of the Brio is as easy as any other hatchback. Space here is at a bit of a premium, but Honda has given owners the option to fold the rear bench in order to access more space for bigger or longer items. 

The Honda Brio ticks all the right boxes in terms of relevant features. Honda has made it a point to add features that cover the essentials, plus a bit more. The car also features relatively impressive handling for its size and weight, and even after a spirited drive, the car returns to its frugality thanks to its notable fuel efficiency. 

If you were to get this model; however, you should note that the orange accents in the interior do not change with the body color of the car. It may look off when paired with the Carnival Yellow color. An improvement that could possibly be made to this small hatch is the brakes. In our testing, the brakes felt a bit vague, though it’s no dealbreaker.