The Honda BR-V is one of the most affordable 7-seater vehicles you can get in the country, making it an ideal choice for Filipino families. But as a family vehicle, fuel efficiency is a vital characteristic the BR-V must have so drivers can bring their loved ones along with them on long road trips.
Honda BR-V
We got to take the 7-seater MPV that possesses a crossover SUV styling for a spin where we recorded its fuel consumption rating. It did just fine despite the third-row seats adding weight to the vehicle. With that being said, read along to determine how efficient the Honda BR-V really is.
Take note, the following Honda BR-V fuel consumption numbers can vary depending on different road situations. For our test on this car model, it consists of a driver only with no passengers. As such, use the following as ballpark figures only.
Honda BR-V fuel consumption: City Driving
In terms of city driving, the Honda BR-V got a fuel consumption of 11 km/l on our test in the Philippines. This was registered while driving at an average speed of 40 km/h. The vehicle speed varies due to the traffic in the city which influenced the final efficient rating. Driving at a more constant speed generally results in better results.
Regardless, the said fuel consumption number isn’t bad as it can get you around town without spending too much on gas money. Perhaps one of the reasons why the vehicle got a pleasing result is its use of the brand’s Earths Dreams Technology Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Generally, this type of transmission is said to be more fuel-efficient than its geared counterparts.
A good choice in the 7-seater market
For specifics, the Honda BR-V’s fuel tank capacity is 42 liters. It is powered by a 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC gasoline engine capable of generating 118 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. As standard, the vehicle uses a set of 16-inch wheels for both its base S and top-of-the-line V variants.
As for the driving experience in the city, you can’t expect that vehicle to provide instant power delivery. One can say that this is caused by the vehicle’s extra weight from the seats and the use of a CVT. But it doesn’t get to the point where the BR-V is lacking power. As such, keep your eyes on the road, especially when sitting in city traffic so you can stay bumper to bumper.
Honda BR-V fuel consumption: Highway Driving
Moving to highway driving, the fuel consumption of the Honda BR-V in the Philippines registered 19 km/l. This was recorded while driving at an average speed of 90 km/h. Just like what we said earlier, the test was done with one driver present in the cabin only so the numbers can slightly go down if you will bring the whole family.
The BR-V returns pleasing fuel consumption numbers
Pulling at a higher speed can take some time especially if the seating capacity is at a maximum. To help you overtake cars on the highway, you can move the transmission to S (Sport Mode) which will bring the engine to a higher RPM before its simulated gears shift.
The Honda BR-V will likely be used for your weekend trips as it can accommodate up to seven people. This is why it is important to practice driving techniques that can help improve the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Some of which include keeping a steady highway speed and coasting on open roads.
Honda BR-V fuel consumption: Verdict
So is this crossover SUV-styled MPV fuel efficient? Well, in comparison to its mainstream rivals such as the Mitsubishi Xpander which we’ve tested, the Honda BR-V’s fuel consumption rating posts similar numbers. As such, you can regard the latter as a fuel-efficient vehicle even when compared to its respective segment.
If you are driving a Honda BR-V to bring your kids to school and spouse to his/her workplace, we recommend that you leave unnecessary items at home as maximizing the 7-seating capacity can disrupt the fuel consumption. Avoid congested roads as well so you can keep a more consistent speed for better fuel efficiency.
Discover more car fuel tips at Philkotse.com.