2022 Honda Brio RS Black Top Review | Philkotse Philippines

There are perks when you drive a subcompact hatchback, especially when you live in the urban jungle. Its petite size allows you to navigate your way through narrow streets easier, and it can also give you an advantage when it comes to finding a parking spot. The cabin space might be a bit cramped but that’s not much of an issue since it can still accommodate up to five individuals with room to spare for cargo. 

The said reasons are why small cars are among the common sight you’ll see when you drive around Metro Manila. That said, it’s a no-brainer for car brands in the Philippines to offer their respective challengers in the subcompact hatchback segment. 

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) offers the Brio as its challenger in the segment, and it gives consumers several variant options such as the mid-spec V. But HCPI also offers a specific Brio for individuals who are on the market for a distinctive and sporty subcompact hatchback. Enter the 2022 Honda Brio RS Black Top. 

What can the Brio RS offer to the table? Is it the better choice versus the mid-spec Brio V variant? Find out the answer to that in this 2022 Honda Brio RS full review.

The Brio RS is still fitted with halogen headlights and fog lamps, which are also found on the mid-spec V variant. But instead of a chrome accent on the grille, the Brio RS has a glossy black trim, which I find better design-wise. The black accent on the grille also makes Honda’s subcompact hatchback more distinctive and more appealing. Of note, the Brio RS we tested is the one equipped with a black roof, which comes with an additional Php 5,000 on the model’s price tag.  

The Honda Brio RS Black Top comes with sleek and sporty side profile

Turning at the side, the Brio RS has a simple demeanor but it’s not lacking in style points either. The simplicity it has on the side adds to what makes the Brio a good-looking car. It has crisp character lines as well as a set of 15-inch alloy wheels, which give the car enough swag. It also has power-folding side mirrors, and body-color door handles. The side skirts make the Brio RS sleeker than the regular Brios, giving the car more style points. 

It has a distinctive look

The rear still comes with a simple yet distinctive look. It has a spoiler that gives a sporty and youthful vibe to the subcompact hatchback. The bumper is integrated with a black garnish, which adds contrast to the Brio RS’s rear. 

The gloss black trim on the grille makes the Brio even more stylish

The Honda Brio RS is one of the best in its segment when it comes to the overall exterior design. I like how sleek it looks while still having that athletic appeal. The Brio RS’s design distinction compared to the non-RS Brio trims isn’t too much, which suits my taste.

The dark interior theme looks similar to non-RS Brio except for subtle additions such as the orange accents seen on the dashboard, armrest, and fabric seats. I particularly like the Brio RS’s black accent on the steering wheel and on the gear shifter, which come with silver trim on the non-RS models.   

The Brio RS comes with orange accents

I also appreciate the Brio RS’s straightforward interior layout, which shares similarities to other cars in Honda’s lineup. To be exact, the Brio’s dash looks similar to the one you see in the seven-seater BR-V. This is a plus point for the Brio since the similar dashboard layout makes you feel that you’re not short-handed even though you’re driving Honda’s smallest car in the Philippines.

The use of hard plastic materials is prevalent but that’s already expected for cars within the Brio’s segment. What’s good is that Honda added texture to the dashboard, adding contrast to the overall layout. The only thing that lacks in the Brio is a more suitable compartment for modern-day smartphones. Yes, there are storage areas available on the center console but the space it offers is quite lacking, especially with the size of today’s phones.  

The Honda Brio can comfortably accommodate two passengers at the rear

The rear seats can accommodate up to three individuals but it might be a tight squeeze. For maximum comfort, two passengers can comfortably occupy the rear. The leg- and head-room are enough for individuals who stand 5’6”.  

Still comes with ample cargo space

There’s still decent cargo space despite the Brio’s compact size. You can easily fit four overnight bags in the back. The rear seats can be folded too in case you need more cargo space for larger items.

Placed right at the center of the Brio’s dashboard is a seven-inch infotainment system that has Bluetooth connectivity. The infotainment comes with decent display icons but it's not that remarkable, which is acceptable considering the Brio’s price point. What’s good is that the interface is relatively responsive at every touch. I do wish that it already comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a more seamless smartphone connectivity. But, that’s me asking too much. 

Of note, the Brio RS doesn’t come with a rear camera, which is fine considering the vehicle’s overall size. Although, one of its segment rivals, which is the Kia Picanto, comes with the said feature. It even comes with dynamic guidelines that can assist you better when reversing. 

The Brio RS' steering wheel is integrated with audio controls

You’ll appreciate that the Brio RS Black Top has speed-sensing door locks. This ensures that your car doors are always locked once you start to head out on the road. It also has power-folding side mirrors. Other safety features included are the following: driver & front passenger airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and Immobilizer. 

The Brio is integrated with the essential tech features one could expect from a mainstream subcompact hatchback. There are some things lacking, but we could give it a pass at this point.

Under the hood, the Honda Brio RS is powered by a 1.2-liter gasoline engine that puts out 89 hp and 110 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) while power is sent to the front wheels. 

Powered by a 1.2-liter gasoline engine

Despite the seemingly low output rating, the Brio doesn’t feel lacking in power. Its 1.2-liter engine delivers adequate power especially when it’s being driven within the urban jungle. The CVT transmission gives out a smooth ride without compromising the vehicle’s acceleration too much. 

It also has a medium to light steering feel that offers enough feedback, giving you a more pleasant drive. The Brio is also nimble, which is a driving characteristic you can expect from a hatchback. The fabric seats also provide decent support, which helps driving through traffic more bearable. 

The Brio RS is an ideal urban jungle warrior

The Brio RS is stable when driven on the open highway with the steering wheel getting a tad firmer for better control. Overtaking slower vehicles should be done with good measure since the CVT results in a slight delay in power delivery. Good thing though, the Honda Brio RS comes with a Sport mode that gives you more power on tap.    

Another thing worth noting is that the Brio’s noise insulation could be improved. Outside noise is significantly heard inside the cabin but that’s expected for a vehicle with its price point. Honda did make up for it as the Brio can absorb road impacts within reason.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Honda Brio RS posted 16.3 km/l when driven within the city at an average speed of 40 km/h. The said fuel economy rating is slightly better than the one we got when we drove the Toyota Wigo TRD, which yielded 15.2 km/l.

On the open highway, the Brio RS delivered 20.7 km/l while being driven at an average speed of 90 km/h. The Wigo TRD, on the other hand, had better fuel economy during the highway run at 24.3 km/l. Despite that, the Brio’s fuel economy is already impressive.

The Honda Brio RS is one of the well-designed subcompact hatchbacks you can buy in the Philippines today. The exterior comes with a balanced blend of sleekness and sportiness, and it doesn’t go overboard design-wise. The same goes for its interior, giving you a well-though cabin layout that’s not short in styling, and does not put too many accents to set itself apart from the non-RS Brio variants. It also delivers adequate power, giving you a pleasant drive.

Honda Brio RS Black Top

Priced at Php 735,000, the Honda Brio RS Black Top is Php 35,000 pricier than the Toyota Wigo TRD S. But, the points mentioned in this review could be enough for some car buyers to drive home a brand-new Honda Brio RS Black Top despite its higher price tag.