Honda Brio 2020: Subcompact of the year contender (A-segment)
- Class-Leading Power
- All-new CVT is sublime
- The new redesign does away with the bug-eye look
- Cheaper than the Mirage!?
- Turns on a dime
Honda Brio 2020: Honda still knows how to make fun small cars
Honda has been criticized for moving its best selling cars like the Civic and City more upmarket and out of their traditional price points. With the latest version of Honda Brio, however, Honda spreads a wet blanket over that raging fire and proves that they can still make small, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars that are more importantly, very affordable.
Watch our review of the Honda Brio and why we think it is the perfect city car!
Honda Brio 2020: The new kid has legs
The Honda Brio 2020 has the most power among almost its A-segment rivals. The L12B i-VTEC Inline 4 helps and dwarfs its 3 cylinder rivals. Power comes in a linear fashion thanks to Honda’s CVT system.
People decry the loss of the 1.3l engine from the previous model but thanks to that transmission and weight reduction you will barely feel the power penalty. There is also a manual transmission option for those of us who prefer to row their own boat.
Honda Brio 2020 has an athletic, aggressive stance
The suspension settings have been tweaked as well as having an extended wheelbase. This enables the engineers to increase the spring stiffness without having to contend with a crashy ride feel characteristic of short wheelbase vehicles.
>>> Grab the chance to have a Brio at our Honda Promo.
Honda Brio 2020: Tiny on the outside, spacious inside
Honda knows that interior space, driving experience, and practicality should be the priority over design and performance. This doesn’t mean that they cut corners at the latter aspect but they live by the axiom: “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum”.
This philosophy guides Honda to keep engineering-focused to maximize interior space for passengers and minimize the space required for mechanical components. In this regard front, passengers enjoy great leg and headroom while the driver has just enough support for semi-spirited driving.
Honda stands by its Man Maximum, Machine Minimum Philosophy
Rear passengers might not have it as good as the front but if you keep rear passengers to 2 it is not a bad place to be in. The rear hatch gives ample space enough for a week's worth of groceries. Fold the rear seat down and you the Brio becomes a capable hauler.
>>> Another contender for A-segment awards: Toyota Wigo 2020: A-segment car of the year?
Honda Brio 2020: Honda answers back against the critics
Over the years, Honda has received much backlash for bringing their traditionally affordable offerings upmarket. The Civic, City, and Jazz are no longer entry-level cars and left Honda fans in the dark.
We relive Honda’s glory only by buying second-hand cars and leave the new ones to unenthusiastic. The Honda Brio 2020 is Honda’s way of pleasing fans who prefer bone-stock no-frills motoring. If you are looking for the spiritual successor of the old 90s Civic Hatchback or the First generation Jazz, you have it right here.
>>> Related: Complete guide to the Honda Philippines' local lineup
The Honda Brio is the spiritual successor of the old 90s Civic Hatchback
The 2020 Honda Brio has big shoes to fill, but it is poised to fill them in quite nicely and if emptying inventories of the Honda Brio and the line to get one early this year was any indication, it seems like the Filipino buyer is more than willing to give this a shot.
Follow us at Philkotse.com to find out how the Toyota Wigo stacks up against some tough competition for our Car of the Year Awards!
Know more about Honda Brio 2024
The 2025 Honda Brio is the Japanese automaker's entry into the local hatchback segment. It is considered to be the small hatchback option with a price ranging from Php 735,000 to Php 883,000. The small hatchback is regarded as the entry-level vehicle of the Japanese carmaker. It is available in four variants, including a Black Top option for the top-of-the-line RS variant.
Under the hood, a 1.2-liter i-VTEC gasoline engine is standard across the range, delivering 89 hp and 110 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, the engine can be paired to either a 5-speed manual or an Earth Dreams continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Brio Philippines offers dimensions that span 3,798 mm in length, 1,682 mm in width, and 1,487 mm in height. The RS trim is a bit longer at 3,811mm. Rivals in the hatchback segment include the Toyota Wigo, Kia Picanto, and Suzuki Swift.
2024 Honda Brio RS - Small Changes Adding Up | Philkotse Reviews
>>> New and used Honda Brio 2025 for sale in the Philippines
Honda Brio Launch
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. launched the first-generation Honda Brio in the country during the Philippine International Motor Show in September 2014, three years after its debut in Thailand in 2011. It offered the local market a practical car due to its fair interior space, affordable pricing, and small 1.3-liter engine that produced 98 hp and 127 Nm of torque. These are the characteristics of an ideal vehicle for young individuals.
As for the current second-generation model, it didn't take as long before it arrived in Honda's local lineup in April 2019. The next-gen version comes with a sportier appeal thanks to its bolder character lines and the option for the RS variant which includes exclusive body kits that add sportiness and aggressiveness to the overall design. It is safe to say that the small hatchback is one of the best-looking vehicles in the local market for the price.
The facelift of the second-generation model then debuted for the local market on July 13, 2023. It was introduced with four variants: the RS Black Top, RS, V, and S.
Honda Brio Exterior
The Honda Brio features aggressive exterior details despite its relatively small size. Its 2025 update of the model features a bolder look compared to the pre-facelifted second-gen model.
Standard on the RS trim are LED headlamps, while the V and S trims get halogens. LED taillights are available for all variants. Other features present on the Brio, at least for the higher-spec trims are a power-folding side mirror, a tailgate spoiler, and LED fog lamps.
Honda Brio Interior
Inside, the Honda Brio gets a manual air-conditioning system as standard. The driver is then provided with an analog gauge cluster, a digital trip meter, a keyless entry system, etc.
All variants get fabric seats, but only the RS trim gets red accents. The RS versions are also the only ones that come with metallic inner door handles, a red-tinged interior trim, and an RS design speedometer.
Technology & Safety Features
Present on the RS and V trims of the Brio is a seven-inch headunit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is linked to a total of six speakers.
Handling this Honda-made hatchback safety meanwhile are dual-front airbags, anti-lock braking, rear parking sensors, and an engine immobilizer. Only the RS and V trims get a security alarm.
Platform & Chassis
The 2025 Brio carries over the front-engine, front-wheel platform used by the pre-facelift model. For suspensions, it uses a MacPherson strut for the front and a torsion beam for the rear. Braking is then handled by a front disc and a rear drum.
Honda Brio Engine & Drivetrain
Honda decided to provide the Brio with a 1.2-liter engine that could churn out 89 horsepower and 110 Newton meters of torque. Power is sent to its front wheels via a continuously variable transmission or a 5-speed manual gearbox depending on the trim.
Honda Brio 2025 Price List
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Honda Brio 1.2 S MT | ₱735,000 |
| Honda Brio 1.2 V CVT | ₱827,000 |
| Honda Brio 1.2 RS CVT | ₱853,000 |
| Honda Brio 1.2 RS Black Top CVT | ₱863,000 |
| Honda Brio 1.2 RS CVT (Stellar Diamond Pearl) | ₱873,000 |
| Honda Brio 1.2 RS Black Top CVT (Stellar Diamond Pearl) | ₱883,000 |
Honda Brio FAQs
1. How much is the Honda Brio 2025 Philippines?
Honda Brio 2025 price Philippines ranges from 735,000 PHP for the entry-level S 1.2 MT to 883,000 PHP for the top-of-the-line Honda Brio RS Black Top 1.2 CVT.
2. Is the Honda Brio available in CVT transmission?
Yes, the automatic variants of the Honda Brio come offered with Honda Earth Dreams Continuously Variable Transmission.
3. How many airbags does the Honda Brio have?
The Honda Brio is equipped with 2 airbags for the driver and front passenger.
4. Is the Honda Brio an SUV?
No, the Brio is a Hatchback.
5. What is the length of Honda Brio?
The length of Brio is 3,815mm.
₱ 735,000 - ₱ 863,000
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