Yes, the long wait is over! Japanese car brand Honda announced the arrival of the next-generation 7-seater SUV—the all-new Honda BR-V.  In 2016, this compact SUV brought over 23,000 units sold in the PH market.

Last September, it was previewed at the 8th Philippine International Motor Show. The 7-seater SUV received so much positive market response for its strong SUV appeal, bigger dimensions, superior safety features sealed with a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, advanced technology, and powerful yet fuel-efficient engine. 

Outside, the new BR-V exhibits a dynamic body shape accentuated by a compelling body line from the front up to the back of the body and a character line that runs from the side to the taillights. For the front fascia, all variants come with a matte black grille, while exclusive on the range-topping VX CVT Honda SENSING features a gloss black grille. One of the main highlights of this all-new model is its higher ground clearance than the previous generation, giving it a stronger and more aggressive SUV stance.

Highlighting the toughness of its presence are the new 17-inch aluminum wheels available for all CVT grades. While the S MT comes with a set of 16-inch rims. Going over the rear, the BR-V is treated with newly designed LED taillights that elegantly illuminate the night. It gets newly designed headlights that house Full LEDs with Daytime Running Lights (DRL). For optimized driver visibility on the road, LED fog lights are available on the VX CVT Honda SENSING, V CVT, and S CVT variants, while the auto on-off lighting function is standard on the top-of-the-line variant. 

The new BR-V features Power Adjustable Door Mirrors for better convenience across all variants. Meanwhile, the VX CVT Honda SENSING and the V CVT variants come with Power Folding Door Mirrors with Integrated LED Side Turn Signal Lights. 

Inside, this SUV focuses on its three (3) core values. In terms of SUV Value, the high-quality materials highlight the interior design for that bold and premium SUV character. For usability, the All-New BR-V shines in terms of MPV Value, all thanks to its spacious cabin that has been significantly improved for both second and third-row occupants, plus, its flat folding seats allow flexible cargo loading which should be useful when carrying larger items.

Its well-designed cockpit area focuses on providing comfort and ample space for the driver and passengers. Filipino families may also experience a more enjoyable trip with the all-new BR-V’s 7- inch touchscreen display audio, paired with a 6-speaker sound system for VX CVT Honda SENSING and V CVT, while a 4-speaker sound system, on the other hand, is available for the S CVT and S MT variants. The infotainment system supports various functions, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB connection.

With its flexible interior that features a 60:40 Split with One-Touch Tumble for the 2nd-row seats, and a 50:50 Split with Dive Down Mechanism for the 3rd-row seats, the redesigned all-new BR-V is purpose-built to serve a wide range of needs. Leather upholstery is exclusive to the VX CVT Honda SENSING and V CVT variants, while the S CVT and S MT are treated with high-grade fabric. It is also worth noting that the all-new BR-V now features a seat height adjuster for the driver.

Other convenience features include a One Push Start System for the VX CVT Honda SENSING, VX CVT, and S CVT. Smart Entry, on the other hand, is available for VX CVT Honda SENSING and V CVT, while both the S CVT and S MT variants feature keyless entry. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls and rear air ventilation are standard across all variants. On top of those features, the All-New BR-V is also available with Remote Engine Start which allows the driver to start the vehicle through the key fob, allowing it to partially cool the cabin before entering the BR-V. 

Powering the BR-V is the new 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine that offers a maximum power of 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque. It provides powerful and confident driving performance in various road conditions. The improved engine is also supported by a new CVT transmission, resulting in better fuel efficiency and response.

Notably, the car can achieve an impressive fuel economy rating of 24.71 kilometers per liter for the 1.5 V CVT, followed by the top-of-the-line 1.5 VX CVT Honda SENSING registering 23.49 kilometers per liter. In comparison, the 1.5 S CVT achieved 22.62 kilometers per liter based on the recently concluded fuel economy run conducted in partnership with the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP). The test ran for 128 kilometers of highway driving, with 60-80 kph at 1,500-2,000 rpm, air-conditioning at 24°C temperature, and no. 1 fan speed.

Furthermore, the all-new BR-V comes standard with Speed Sensing Auto Door Locks, Dual and Side Airbags, Reverse Camera with Guidelines, Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Reminder, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist, Security Alarm, Immobilizer, Emergency Stop Signal, and ISO Fix Child Seat Anchor.

With all these safety features, the all-new BR-V has been awarded a 5-star rating in the latest ASEAN NCAP testing (New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asia).  The new Honda BR-V will be available in four (4) variants with the following colors and suggested retail prices: the 1.5 S MT: PHP 1,090,000; the 1.5 S CVT: PHP 1,150,000; the 1.5 V CVT: PHP 1,295,000; and the BR-V 1.5 VX CVT Honda SENSING: PHP 1,390,000.