Honda BR-V coming to India

[Roshun]

The Honda BR-V is coming to India in February this year. It was recently unveiled at Indonesia and some of our folks have travelled to Japan to get a preview of the vehicle.
So what exactly is the BR-V? Before we get into the details of the vehicle here is a teaser sketch:


Looks hot right? But don't get your hopes up just yet. The BR-V is a Brio-based SUV, the fourth on the same monocoque platform after the Brio (hatchback), Amaze (compact sedan) and Mobilio (MPV) and is likely to be priced between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh. The similarities are pretty obvious when you view the vehicle from the side.

Here's what the production version of the Honda BR-V looks like. These pictures come straight from our team in Japan:

Here’s what you will like about the Honda BR-V:

• Space – it’s probably one of the most spacious SUVs. Definitely with the best boot space with all rows up.
• Seven seats – Proper seven seater, with decent leg room in the last row
• Decent Power and fuel efficiency – 100PS diesel and 118PS petrol (same engines as the Honda City and Mobilio)
• Features – It will come with what’s expected of the segment such as power mirrors, windows, touchscreen-infotainment with navigation etc. But this pre-production version does not have auto climate control.
• Tyres – Finally, the widest tyres this Honda platform! The BR-V has 195/60 R16 tyres as standard.

Here’s what you won’t like about the Honda BR-V:

• MPV-like styling at the rear
• It’s more crossover than SUV
• No all-wheel drive option
• No AC vents for last row (only roof mounted blower)
• Light build

Competitors to the Honda BR-V:

• Mahindra XUV500
• Hyundai Creta
• Renault Duster
• Nissan Terrano

Not really direct competition, but the BR-V will also compete with the Mahindra Scorpio, Renault Lodgy and the Toyota Innova (because it’s a seven seater).

Key specifications of the Honda BR-V:
At a glance:
Length: 4456 mm
Width: 1735 mm
Height: 1666 mm
Wheelbase: 2660 mm
Ground clearance: 201 mm

Engine choices:
Petrol: 1496 cc, 4 cylinder (Power: 119PS @ 6,600 rpm, Torque: 145 Nm @ 4,600 rpm)
Gearbox: Six-speed manual or CVT

Diesel: (Likely for India only) 1.5 litre iDtec, 4 cylinder (100PS / 200 Nm)
Gearbox: Six-speed manual

The Honda BR-V is a smaller brother to the CR-V but a bigger sibling to the Mobilio. Here are more details and pictures of the BR-V:

When viewed from the front the Honda BR-V fortunately does not look like its younger three siblings, the Mobilio, Amaze and Brio. Honda has worked on the front end to kind of make it look like the CR-V and City in a sense. It comes with twin beam headlamps with projectors for the low beam. The bumper is sculpted and features a prominent air dam. Don't miss the shoulder line as well etched into its side. The giveaway is the rear door though with that downward kink being similar to the Mobilio's.

The added height of the BR-V over the Honda Mobilio is quite obvious. The alloy wheels are similar to the Honda Mobilio RS variant. The snout of the BR-V though is quite like the Honda CR-V, but the overall stance is more MPV than SUV. It looks like a crossover of sorts between MPV and SUV in this case.

That MPV look on the Honda BR-V is more pronounced at the rear. The red plastic strip connecting the tail-lamps is a neat touch reminiscent of the Honda Odyssey and probably the Acura. The placement of the number plate low down on the boot hatch adds to the bulk (similar to the Hyundai Creta).

The 16-inch alloys stand out on the BR-V. It comes shod with the widest tyres on this platform, running 195/60 R16 Bridgestone low-rolling resistance tyres. Honda is definitely looking at magic fuel efficiency numbers with the BR-V as well.

Some more exterior pictures before we take you through the interiors in the next post:

Love it or hate it! Honda has gone overboard with the chrome on the grille. Frankly, I think it looks too garish. But well, tastes differ.

Notice the parts sharing with the rest of the family. The fog lamps look familiar. Don't miss the faux skid plate as well, that's part of the front bumper. The lower matt-finish area will do well to prevent chips from stones and kerbs.

See next post for interior photos of the Honda BR-V.

[Roshun]

Honda has always managed to pull off the best space vs size designs. The company's man maximum, machine minimum philosophy shows in the design of the Honda BR-V as well. The cabin is pretty spacious, probably the most spacious among all SUVs and crossovers in its likely price band. It has more space than the Creta, S-Cross, Duster, Terrano and even the XUV500 with all rows of seats in place.

The front seats of the Honda BR-V are spacious and supportive. The vehicle features plenty of storage spaces with deep door pockets, twin cupholders, another bin in the centre console and an handly slot on the dash for knick knacks. While there's a slot for push-button ignition, this test vehicle did not feature it. Honda may add that on the actual production versions.

The Honda BR-V has 60:40 split folding rear seats. We like the fact that the interiors are black and not beige, but that may change when the vehicle does make it to the Indian market. There are no rear AC vents though, and that may be a downer for some buyers. The rear doors too have pretty small door pockets, while the door itself is quite similar to that of the Mobilio.

Access to the last row is by tumble folding either of the middle row seats. Note the rather large plastic protective scuff plate on the floor, which will help prevent ungainly scratches.

The third row in the Honda BR-V is among the most spacious among all crossovers, SUVs and MPVs in its price segment. The last row of the Honda BR-V is pretty spacious. Legroom is not only decent, but you also get fairly decent under thigh support as the seats are not as low down as they are in some other MPVs and SUVs. In addition, you get cupholders in the last row.

The BR-V also has a fairly large boot, even with all three rows of seats in place. The last row is 50:50 split folding, allowing for versatility with luggage and increasing the loading area dramatically, without compromising on passenger space. Note the blower vents in the middle row.

Fully folding the last row results in a very spacious boot - much more than most SUVs in its price band offer. The last row is secured in place by means of that hanging strap you see, hooking on to the headrest of the seat in front. The spare wheel is mounted under the vehicle and can be accessed by lowering it using a wheel spanner from the boot. That little rubber stopper you see near the boot lip is the cover to access the nut that secures the spare wheel.

Folding even the middle row will allow you to move your entire house! You can park a few bikes in there. This picture though is only with the last row folded down.

The dashboard of the Honda BR-V looks very similar to the Honda City and Honda Jazz, with its driver-oriented instrumentation. The thick A-pillars may be a hinderance for some.

Honda hasn't used the touch-screen climate control panel here, but has reverted to more tactile buttons instead. However, notice there is no "Auto" button on the AC panel, and it has manual recirculation for the HVAC. And glaringly absent is a windshield demister option, unless we are missing something here. Probably an oversight on the pre-production version (we hope).

The infotainment system is a touchscreen affair that Honda will likely equip the top-end variant of the BR-V with. It includes a CD player, HDMI and Aux connectivity.

The Honda BR-V comes with power-folding rearview mirrors, auto-down for the driver's side window and electronic door locks. Don't miss the traction control button placed on the dash. Safety includes ABS, dual airbags and traction control on this variant at least.

This version of the Honda BR-V is powered by a 1.5 litre, four-cylinder iVtec petrol engine that puts out 88Kw (119PS) of power and 145 Nm of torque mated to a CVT automatic transmission. The CVT has a sport mode and a low-gear mode (which will help with hill climbs). The Indian version is also likely to be offered with Honda's 1.5 litre iDtec diesel engine putting out 100PS of power and 200 Nm of torque. The manual variant will likely get a six-speed gearbox.

The sculpted looks of the Honda BR-V stand out in light colours.

Watch this space for Initial impressions, coming soon.

[I Live For Speed]

While the front is quite handsome, the side profile reminds me too much of the Mobilio, in fact I saw the pic before I read the piece and then realized it was based on the Mobilio.

If the India versions looks any closer to a Mobilio I doubt people will see value in paying 12 to 15L for it.

[Arjun]

The side profile looks entirely like a Mobilio. Its more like a Mobilio Crossover. However, the front profile is much better and this is the first in the Honda Brio family which does not look like the Brio from the front.
The success of the Hyundai Creta has proved that a 7 seater SUV is not what people are looking for anymore and they are ready to pay high costs if you give them a great looking 5 seater SUV with comfortable seating and features.
From the pictures the second row looks cramped, and it doesnt look like they have an option to slide the seat backwards.If this option is provided it would be great.
This makes the second row cramped, even if a person wants to fold the rear seats and use it as a 5 seater.
This is going to be a softroader for sure and the approach and departure angles seem to be quite low.
The rear could have been designed better. Simplest by making the number plate part more higher.

[Roshun]

Here are more photos from CarDekho of the Honda BR-V, straight from the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. The BR-V is likely to be launched in India around the time of the Auto Expo 2016 in New Delhi (Great Noida, Expo Mart). We've already posted most of the details above, but for those of you who can't get enough of the Honda BR-V, here are more photos:



If you ask me, the Honda BR-V's design looks a little overdone. Although it's based on the Brio platform, thankfully it does not have the same front end.



When viewed front, one can see the styling cues taken from the Honda CR-V and HR-V, Honda's other SUVs. It does look fairly aggressive, but personally, I hate that chrome.


The matt black cladding around the wheel arches are a nice touch, and practical as well, preventing minor chips and scratches.


A closer look at the twin-beam headlamps, with projectors for the low beam. No DRLs on this pre-production vehicle.

A closer look at the spare wheel mounted under the body. One will have to turn a nut in the boot to lower it.

A closer look at the instrument console. This is straight from the Honda City. Given the parts sharing and common platform, I'm inclined to think that Honda should price the BR-V at about 10 lakh odd, going to about 13 lakh (revising my earlier estimates as the features and specs come rolling in). This will ensure it effectively trounces the Creta, Duster, Terrano and others.

[Mr. Fox]

The Honda BR-V looks like a Mobilio crossover to me. It won't really cut it as an SUV, if Honda chooses to call it that. Are they? This mix and match from the City and Mobilio parts bins isn't quite hot. Whatever happened to the hot-looking Honda urban SUV concept? Wasn't that the compact SUV that Honda was planning to bring in?

Look at the Honda Urban concept up front. The aggression in the front is quite evident. Here's a look at the BR-V from different angles, from this ZigWheels video:

[Rangemaster]

Mr. Fox I think you mean the Honda Vezel. The Honda urban concept was showcased as the Honda Vezel at China if I'm not mistaken and there were a number of news reports doing the rounds that the Honda Vezel would be launched in India in September 2016. The Honda Vezel is apparently based on the Honda Jazz platform.
Here's a photo of the Honda Vezel:
It is what the Urban concept evolved into. IMHO the Vezel would stand a better chance at fighting competition from the Creta than the Honda BR-V. But then the Vezel is a 5-seater. So I think, those two extra seats in the BR-V are things Honda is betting on.

[I Live For Speed]

I love the coupe-ish look to it with the hidden rear door handles. Really nice side stance !

[I Live For Speed]

Rangemaster which engine is the Vezel supposed to be sporting?

[Jijo_Malayil]

Honda has released a few shots of their upcoming "SUV", the BR-V (Bold-Runabout-Vehicle). BR-V is on a 20 day road trip across the country. The Honda BR-V is slated to hit the Indian market in May. Expect prices to start from 9 lakh rupees and go all the way up to 14 lakhs rupees for the top-end diesel variant.

The BR-V measures 4,456mm in length, 1,735mm in width and 1,666mm in height. It sits on a 2,660mm wheelbase while it will possess ground clearance of 201mm. And the most important thing is that it gets seven seats, when compared to its rivals.

Honda BR-V will compete against the likes of Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross in India.

[vivek nair]

Mr. Fox I think you mean the Honda Vezel. The Honda urban concept was showcased as the Honda Vezel at China if I'm not mistaken and there were a number of news reports doing the rounds that the Honda Vezel would be launched in India in September 2016. The Honda Vezel is apparently based on the Honda Jazz platform.
Here's a photo of the Honda Vezel:
It is what the Urban concept evolved into. IMHO the Vezel would stand a better chance at fighting competition from the Creta than the Honda BR-V. But then the Vezel is a 5-seater. So I think, those two extra seats in the BR-V are things Honda is betting on.

I do agree that it looks like a Mobilio cross over. I was waiting for the car to launch and now I feel NOT to go for it. They have made it like it like a Mobilio extension, and the model shown in 2015 was different to it and that's what made me wait for it, not this box stuff. Style is very important . Sorry Honda India, you are cheating your customers ....promising some thing and delivering some thing else .....Not good at all . Is this all? Or do u have 5 seat type config of original BR-V model?

[vivek nair]

Honda has released a few shots of their upcoming "SUV", the BR-V (Bold-Runabout-Vehicle). BR-V is on a 20 day road trip across the country. The Honda BR-V is slated to hit the Indian market in May. Expect prices to start from 9 lakh rupees and go all the way up to 14 lakhs rupees for the top-end diesel variant.

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The BR-V measures 4,456mm in length, 1,735mm in width and 1,666mm in height. It sits on a 2,660mm wheelbase while it will possess ground clearance of 201mm. And the most important thing is that it gets seven seats, when compared to its rivals.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n8196[/ATTACH]

Honda BR-V will compete against the likes of Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross in India.

The Mobilio crossover looks are hopeless, as we were waiting for SUV cross-over!

[Jijo_Malayil]

So, the BR-V media drive have began in Udaipur. It is confirmed that the BR-V will get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and the CVT auto box variant gets paddle-shifters! Now to the fuel efficiency figures.

1.5 diesel - 21.4 kilometers per litre.
1.5 petrol - 15.4 kmpl
1.5 petrol CVT Automatic - 16 kmpl

The interior misses out on a touchscreen infotainment system. May come in at a later stage. And the rear seats slide and recline to provide an comfortable ride to its occupants.

Image courtesy:-rushlane/autocar

[Jijo_Malayil]

Lets look the Honda BR-V's possible rivals in the price bracket. BR-V and Mahindra Scorpio are proper seven seaters. Renault Duster gets a AWD variant, while the Mahindra Scorpio gets a proper four wheel drive system with a low ratio transfer case!

Now to the specifications. Hyundai Creta gets the highest power/torque output with its 1.6 litre CRDi motor. Mahindra Scorpio is a full-fledged SUV with large dimensions, when compared to the rest.

[Roshun]

The first drive reviews of the Honda BR-V are out. And I have to say, it's not getting glowing reviews and rightly so. There is a lot lacking in this SUV overall considering the competition it is up against. Frankly, I wouldn't even call it an SUV. To me it is more minivan / crossover than SUV. (It's a different matter that I think the Mobilio should have been called a station Wagon rather than an MPV).
Here's the review from ZigWheels:
http://www.zigwheels.com/reviews-adv...-review/25363/

It stands a fighting chance, if Honda prices it aggressively - but then that would finish off what ever miniscule Mobilio sales there are. In its current form, and the gist I'm getting from the various reviews, the BR-V is not going to set the sales charts on fire. An opportunity lost?