The seven-seater MPV segment in the Philippines is loaded with several options, making it one of the tightly contested segments in the market. Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has officially rejoined the seven-seater MPV battle royale with the introduction of the all-new 2023 BR-V.
Honda BR-V: All-New 2023 Model Year Now in the Philippines - Philkotse Quick Look
The 2023 Honda BR-V goes up against the likes of the Toyota Avanza, Mitsubishi Xpander, Suzuki Ertiga, Nissan Livina, and Hyundai Stargazer. See, the seven-seater MPV segment is really a battle royale.
The BR-V now comes with a more streamlined look featuring lesser aggressive character lines as compared to the old model. This results in a more mature exterior design, which makes the all-new BR-V bolder than the outgoing model.
All four variants of the all-new Honda BR-V are fitted with LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights. It also has LED foglights except for the entry-level S MT variant. Honda’s MPV also has LED taillights, and a ground clearance rated at 207mm.
The interior has also received a significant revamp as it now has a more straightforward dashboard layout. It has a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB ports, and 12 volts socket, which are features that are expected for the current MPVs in the market.
As for stating the obvious, the all-new BR-V can seat up to seven individuals. The second-row features One-Touch Tumble, allowing easy ingress and egress. The third-row seats come with a 50:50 split, and it folds flat which can be useful in case you need extra cargo space.
Under the hood, the 2023 Honda BR-V’s power unit now comes with a dual overhead cam (DOHC). In theory, this gives the BR-V the ability to deliver a better fuel economy rating. The 1.5-liter gasoline engine puts out 119 hp and 145 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The quick specs rundown shows that the all-new Honda BR-V is equipped with all the essentials for it to square up against its rivals. Not to mention, the top-spec 2023 BR-V comes with Honda Sensing driver-assist system, which is a huge leap compared to the old model.
So, does the BR-V has what it takes to stand out in the MPV segment? Well, the answer to that lies in the local market. The thing is, many Filipino car buyers are particular when it comes to pricing. HCPI is also aware of this, which is why it opted to offer the Honda Sensing driver-assist feature exclusively to the top-spec all-new BR-V. The reason being is to make the other BR-V variants priced as competitively as possible.
The top-of-the-line 2023 BR-V is priced at Php 1,390,000, a steep price tag when compared to its segment rivals. Before it was launched in the Philippines, it was the top-spec Hyundai Stargazer that had the highest price tag at Php 1,218,000.
But, HCPI made sure that the additional money that you’ll be cashing out translates to giving you safer drives. Not that it promises to keep you from all road accidents or incidents, but it offers extra safety features while you and your family are out on the road.
The Honda Sensing driver-assist tech includes adaptive cruise control, which comes in handy on long expressway drives. It also has Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Lead Car Departure Notification System, and Auto High Beam.
Now, do you think that the all-new Honda BR-V can stand out in the MPV segment? Cast your vote now in Philkotse’s Poll of the Week.