2023 Honda BR-V V Review | Philkotse Philippines

It’s no secret that some car buyers want a well-rounded family car. Something that isn’t too expensive while still maintaining a good balance of practicality and style. Many top-spec three-row MPVs nowadays can provide that but those can be prohibitively expensive.

The 2023 Honda BR-V V

Enter the Honda BR-V V variant which slots below the top-of-the-line VX trim. The BR-V V is priced at Php 1,295,000, making it Php 95,000 cheaper than the top-spec Honda BR-V VX Honda Sensing. That said, it might just be that one car that has achieved that balance we’re talking about.

But does the BR-V V have the goods to be described as a good all-rounder without sacrificing too much? To answer that, Philkotse borrowed the said variant and drove it for a week. Here’s how it went.

Just like its fancier BR-V VX sibling, the BR-V V gets a new exterior design which I describe as more matur and more streamlined compared to the old Honda BR-V.

It gets a clean but bold-looking front end

This is especially seen in its bold but clean-looking front end, achieved by the careful positioning of its sharp LED headlights. They are seamlessly integrated together with the relatively wide grille. Unlike the one on the VX, this grille on the V trim isn’t topped with a chrome garnish and instead is colored black, which I prefer.  The look of the front is then enhanced further by LED daytime running lamps while added visibility is provided by LED front fog lamps.

Another highlight of the BR-V V and the BR-V model as a whole is its side portion. From here, one can see that Honda didn’t go overboard in designing the vehicle. From this angle, it gets a well-proportioned stance that’s a cut above the old model’s side portion.

The BR-V V from the side

The rear then gets slender corners and a straightforward-looking rear bumper. This area of the BR-V V gets a whole lot quieter or more straightforward compared to the rest of the vehicle, though the C-shaped LED taillights add a bit of flavor.

The best thing about the BR-V V besides its good but uncomplicated looks is that it still gets several exterior convenience features that are present on the VX. Its power-folding side mirrors make the BR-V V easier to stow in a parking lot, while its roof rail adds some bit of utilitarian charm to the otherwise slender MPV.

Its a lot more proportional compared to the old model

If there was one thing I had to complain about the BR-V V’s exterior, it has to be the design of its 17-inch alloy wheels. Call me old-fashioned, but the machine-cut, two-toned, polished look is not for me. It looks flat, and I would’ve preferred sculpted and single-color wheels similar to the ones on the discontinued 2022 Honda Civic S.

The interior layout of the BR-V V, like the exterior, is also straight to the point. It does away with unnecessary doodads, and it instead opts for hard plastic with muted colors for most surfaces. All seats, however, come standard in leather.

A peek inside the BR-V V

Simple-looking, sure, but the front cabin for instance is just executed well enough to avoid being called “basic.” The dash, for example, follows a straight line that neatly arranges the BR-V V’s air-conditioning vents, seven-inch touchscreen, and its automatic air-conditioning system controls.

Granted, knob-type controls for the air-conditioner’s fan speed and temperature settings would’ve been preferred. But otherwise, the control scheme for this feature is easy to understand and use.

On the driver’s side, the push-to-start button is logically placed on the right side of the steering column. Looking for one’s ideal driving position is also made easy thanks to a height adjuster and a tilt-adjustable steering wheel.

Second row

This is despite the fact that I am 5’11 feet tall, and around 130 kg. For that matter, I also didn’t find issues in entering or exiting the front seats, and headroom in the cockpit was generous as well. I likewise appreciate the addition of an elbow rest as it can mean the difference between suffering and relaxation when stuck in traffic jams.

Moving on to the second row, I likewise had no issues where legroom was concerned, and headroom remained generous as well. The simple, straight-to-the-point theme is continued in this part of the BR-V V’s interior, though it does get a foldable center armrest, which can be used when only two are occupying the row. Likewise present in the second row are rear aircon vents which are must-haves during hot weather.

Third row

As for the third row, I managed to fit in it though my legs didn’t get much support from the seats. That said, this area can still be used by adults for short drives, though it is more fit for smaller or younger occupants.

The cargo room on the BR-V V is also generous. With the third-row seats up, the trunk can swallow up to a week’s worth of groceries with its 223 liters of default cargo space. The second row then gets a 60:40 split, which allows for carrying far larger items like a surfboard.

On top of all that, I particularly like how Honda designed this model to have a low trunk lip. This means that loading the trunk is easier since items will have less chance to get caught. A low trunk lip is also a blessing when loading the trunk with heavy stuff.

Fold the seats flat and you'll get plenty of cargo space

As we’ve mentioned above, the BR-V V’s dash is kitted out with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. On its own, the touchscreen’s interface is laid out well, and even a tech novice will not get lost in navigating through its functions.

On top of that, connecting one’s phone is relatively easy thanks to the screen’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But there are no wireless charging or connectivity options here save for Bluetooth, so charging cables are a must.

It gets an analog gauge cluster

The said screen is then linked to a six-piece sound system which sounds decent, so no complaints there. The video feed from its reverse camera, however, can be blurry, especially at night.

The biggest thing that sets the BR-V V apart from the BR-V VX is its lack of Honda Sensing driver-assistive safety features. It doesn’t have autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, etc.

For my part, I didn’t feel the need for those assistive features when driving the BR-V V. Other folks, however, might be inclined to use those for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, Honda could’ve at least added a standard cruise control system on the V for those long-distance trips out of town.

The touchscreen gets an easy-to-understand layout

For standard safety features, this trim of the BR-V gets what you’d expect from a modern vehicle. It has stability control, anti-lock braking, hill-start assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors, an engine immobilizer, and a car alarm. It then comes with four airbags.

Propelling all variants of the BR-V is a 1.5-liter engine that can generate up to 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Power is sent to its front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. Note that this is the same new dual-overhead cam gasoline four-banger found on the next-generation Honda City.

In driving it through the tight roads of Metro Manila, the BR-V V was generally compliant. The steering was responsive, and it provided enough feedback as well. Its sensitivity also sat in the middle ground being not too light nor too heavy. That’s something you’d want if you’re eyeing this MPV as a daily driver.

A closer look at the BR-V's gear shift lever

I likewise found its ride quality to be comfortable. Bumps are adequately mitigated as its suspension setup seems to be tuned to sit in the middle of firm and soft. Note that most of my time with the BR-V was spent driving it alone through bumpy roads like EDSA. Even then, the car was relatively stable.

Another thing I like about driving the BR-V V is that it actually sounds good when pushed. That’s all well and good, but its power delivery felt stifled. Its accelerator was still responsive and the engine can easily climb up the revs when floored, though the sound it makes doesn’t really translate all that well into speed.

It can deal with EDSA's rugged sections with ease.

But in the first place, one cannot expect this Honda model to give you an impressive zero to 100 km/h time despite its pleasant exhaust notes. In fact, this is to be expected from the car since it is positioned as a reasonably priced family vehicle after all.

When tested on the highway with two occupants on board, the 2023 Honda BR-V V returned a fuel economy reading of 22.5 km/l at an average speed of 85 km/h.

In the city, the BR-V with its sole occupant being the driver, managed to clock in a fuel economy reading of 9.7 km/l at an average speed of 20 km/h.

Compare that to the top-spec BR-V VX Honda Sensing that we tested, which managed to register 20.4 km/l while traveling at an average of 80 km/h on the highway. The top-spec model also posted 11.1 km/l in the city at an average speed of 18 km/h.

I’ll just say it flat out. If looks are a big factor in getting a car, be it a family car, then I’ll say that mid-spec BR-V V is worth the money.

It isn’t as expensive as the BR-V VX Honda Sensing, but it still gets the new refined look that’s just too well-proportioned to ignore. Even its interior is so well arranged to the point that it appears nice to look at despite its straightforward simplicity.

This MPV can make for a fine family ride

The one thing that the BR-V V sacrifices to become more affordable, however, is the Honda Sensing Safety Suite. To safety-savvy buyers, this might put them off.  As a consolation, the BR-V V does get the basic standard safety equipment right. Being safe in a car crash is all well and good, but the ability to avoid crashes in the first place might just be too attractive to some.

For the average Juan and Maria though, I think that the BR-V V is more than enough to function as a family ride. It gets loads of space, has an adequate amount of on-board comfort features, and it provides a comfortable enough ride even through the bumpy sections of EDSA.