At PHP 1.39 million, does the 2023 Honda BR-V VX with Sensing make for a compelling fully-loaded 7-seater?
If there is one Honda vehicle that I wish lasted several more years before being axed from the local lineup, it’s the Mobilio. I like the power, its style, and its size. In fact, it was the biggest and most powerful in the mini MPV segment that's also populated by just the Toyota Avanza and Suzuki Ertiga.
The boxier and more upright design of the second-generation BR-V gives it a more purposeful and stylish look than its predecessor. What’s better is that whether you choose the S or the top-of-the-line VX, all come with LED headlights and a stylish grille that extends toward the headlights - further highlighting the BR-V’s sleeker appearance. Heck, all versions even come with 17-inch alloy wheels for that extra flair.
Some might say that there is still too much hard plastic inside the BR-V. But at its price point, it is to be expected. The overall design is neat and the buttons and switches are exactly where you expect them to be. Another neat feature I really liked about the all-new BR-V is how Honda redesigned its third-row seats. The previous generation did not have fold-flat seats which means there’s a noticeable “hump” that gets in the way of long cargo. The only way to maximize luggage space was to fold up the rear bench and hook them onto the second-row headrests. For the new generation, Honda simplified it by making the third-row fold-flat, negating the need to fold them up.
Out on the highway, the BR-V can return an impressive 19.5 km/L at an average speed of about 85 km/h. If you’re the type that likes to hyper-mile while on the expressways, the BR-V’s average fuel consumption can reach upwards of 21 km/L. This is the result of Honda doing the work in making the CVT and 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine work in unison.
I’m a firm believer that no matter how intelligent and smart vehicles are today, the driver behind the wheel should always focus their full attention on the road in order to avoid potential accidents from happening. With Honda Sensing, however, you get an extra"sense" should there be moments where even the driver can make mistakes.