The only SUV in its class to offer seven seats, the BR-V gets Honda’s familiar 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines, and also offers an auto gearbox option.
05 May 2016 | 5358 Views | By Nishant Parekh, Autocar India
Honda Cars India today marked its entry into the popular small SUV and premium crossover segment in India with the introduction of the BR-V small SUV at a starting price of Rs 8.75 lakh for the base petrol E variant.
The BR-V has four variants on offer —the base E, ...
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Honda Cars India today marked its entry into the popular small SUV and premium crossover segment in India with the introduction of the BR-V small SUV at a starting price of Rs 8.75 lakh for the base petrol E variant.
The BR-V has four variants on offer —the base E, S, V and the top-spec VX – all available with the option of both petrol and diesel engines. A CVT automatic gearbox is also being offered on the X trim as an option.
While the Honda BR-V top-spec petrol variant is priced at Rs 11.84 lakh, the base diesel costs Rs 9.90 lakh and the petrol automatic prices start at Rs 11.99 lakh. (ex-showroom, Delhi).
First unveiled at the Indonesia International Auto Show last year, the BR-V or Bold Runabout Vehicle is based on the same platform as the Brio, Mobilio and Amaze to better manage costs. It goes up against established rivals such as the Renault Duster as well as the Maruti S-cross and the hugely popular Hyundai Creta.
The BR-V has been developed at Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co, in Bangkok, Thailand. Honda says the SUV has been designed on the basis of results obtained from extensive market surveys in India and other Asian markets for people’s needs of an SUV with additional value.
The talking point for Honda’s small SUV is its ability to seat seven – just like the Mobilio – making it the only car in its class to offer a third row of seats.
On the exterior, the BR-V features a bold, upright nose that carries Honda’s now-trademark grille, a solid strip of chrome, sharp, angular headlights, a new wider air dam on the front bumper and two chrome-ringed fog lamps. Also lending the BR-V strong, SUV-like cues are the massive wheel arches, which can house wheels measuring up to 17 inches; the India-spec vehicle comes with 16-inch wheels.
The BR-V also gets 210mm of ground clearance, good for India’s uneven roads. In the cabin, the small SUV is expected to be generous on space given Honda's clever packaging skills and the fact that it's the longest car in the segment, measuring up to 4,456mm.
In terms of features, the BR-V gets steering-mounted audio controls, driver’s seat height adjust, push-button start with keyless entry, 2 DIN audio player with Bluetooth, automatic climate control and leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and armrests based on trim levels. However, the BR-V does not get a touchscreen, which could be a disappointment to many buyers.
In terms of safety, the vehicle comes with dual front airbags as standard. ABS with EBD, however, is only available on mid-range and higher versions of the BR-V petrol, while they are standard on the diesel variants.
Under the hood, the BR-V is equipped with the familiar 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines from the City and the Mobilio. The diesel engine continues to make 100hp and 200Nm, contrary to prior indications that the engine would be tuned for more power. The petrol motor is a 1.5-litre, i-VTEC petrol unit making 119hp and 145Nm. A six-speed manual gearbox is offered as standard on both petrol and diesel variants, while the petrol gets the additional option of a CVT gearbox. Interestingly, the petrol automatic variant is also equipped with steering-mounted paddle shifters, a class-first feature.
In terms of mileage, the diesel manual returns 21.9kpl, the petrol manual 15.4kpl and the petrol CVT 16kpl, according to ARAI ratings.
Speaking at the BR-V launch in New Delhi, Yoichiro Ueno, president and CEO, Honda Cars India, said: “India is a key market for Honda and as part of our business expansion, we are focusing on increasing our customer base with new model introductions. The launch of the BR-V marks Honda’s entry into the popular compact SUV segment. Customers can experience the outstanding appearance of an SUV and benefit from the versatility and comfort of its spacious three-row interiors. We are confident that BR-V will strongly appeal to the customers and accelerate our growth while strengthening our brand presence in the country.”
The BR-V will plug a vital gap in Honda’s portfolio and the carmaker is hoping to pull in buyers with this SUV’s roomy cabin and strong diesel engine. Although the vehicle has some design elements resembling the Mobilio which may not go down well with image-conscious Indian buyers, the fact that Honda will be the only carmaker to offer a seven-seater in the small SUV or crossover segment is sure to give it an edge over rivals.
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