Introduction

The BR-V is Honda Cars India’s next big ticket item. And its USP or unique selling point will be the seven seats. It will be the only car in its class to offer three-row seating. And it will come with the option of both diesel and petrol engines.

I drove one in Japan recently, but a prototype meant for the Indonesian market, on a well-paved, closed circuit, for four laps in all, at snail’s pace. So, I can’t give you a complete lowdown on what the Indian-spec BR-V will be like in terms of driving dynamics – handling, ride, braking, NVH, et al. But, I can tell you this: The Honda BR-V is a promising product. And here’s why…

First the basics

The BR-V Prototype is based on the Honda Mobilio, but it sits on a longer wheelbase, has wider front and rear track lengths and it is higher above the ground. The former two changes are in place to negate the higher centre of gravity resulting from increased ground clearance.

The Honda BR-V is also longer, wider and taller than the Mobilio but runs the exact same tyre sizes – 195 section tubeless rubber all round on nice looking 16-inch alloy rims.

Honda engineers say the body shell is stiffer too, and though the car is heavier, thanks to the changes in the body shell and the suspension tuning, it should still result in a good ride and handling balance.

Now the crucial bit

Honda says the BR-V isn’t an SUV! In fact, the company is calling it a ‘crossover utility’ internally. Which in simple terms means something with MPV practicality and utility but a hint of SUV visual appeal. It has an imposing face with a bold chrome grille, large headlamps and an aggressively styled bumper. It also gets mild body cladding and roof rails. The rear is pleasing too with large tail lamps that run into the tail gate, a thick chrome hatch handle, and again, a bumper that is overtly styled but doesn’t look out of place.

However, it’s in profile that the BR-V loses its butch appeal. The doors are the same as on the Mobilio (as a cost-saving measure) but are reskinned for differentiation. And with a similar roofline and overhangs to the Mobilio, the BR-V ends up exuding an MPV aura in profile instead of the typical stout and tough SUV look.

Improved insides

The Honda BR-V might be based on the Mobilio or the stretched Brio platform, but thankfully Honda has upped its game on the inside. The BR-V gets a completely new dashboard design, and it looks more upmarket, current and welcoming than the Mobilio’s insides. The dash is layered with different looking finishes, the design is more striking, and it has the depth that gives you the feel of being in a much bigger car.

One sits higher in the BR-V too. But, the difference is minute and is the result of increased ground clearance more than anything else. The seat design hasn’t changed (though the Indonesian model had adjustable headrests for all three rows) and neither has the space all round. So the BR-V, like the Mobilio, scores high on head and knee/legroom but the shoulder room still isn’t great (compared to something like the Renault Duster, for instance). Boot space even with all three rows of seats in place is impressive, however, and the loading lip height is one of the lowest and most convenient in its class.

The powertrains

The BR-V will not be sold with a 1.6-litre diesel as has been reported by some. It will stick to the tried and tested engines seen on the Honda Mobilio. The diesel will be the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, all-aluminium motor with almost 100bhp of max power and it will come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The big news, though, is that the petrol engine on the Honda BR-V too will get a 6-speed manual gearbox. This is bound to up the claimed fuel efficiency of the 1.5-litre 118bhp petrol engine. According to Honda engineers, the power and torque outputs will continue unchanged from the Mobilio but the mapping plus the gear ratios will be revised to suit the BR-V’s character.

Expect a little more pep from standstill and better driveability thanks to closer set gear ratios on the new gearboxes. There will be no automatic at the launch however. But, since the prototype we drove did have the 1.5-litre petrol mated to a CVT transmission, Honda could easily bring it to India if there’s demand.

Worth waiting for?

The short drive of the Honda BR-V Prototype might not have explained a lot, but it did tell me this: If you like the way the Mobilio drives, the BR-V is bound to impress you. Moreover, I expect better NVH, and equally sound driving dynamics. The BR-V has good visibility and light controls too (which should make it easy to live with), and of course, it has its USP - seven seats.

As I see it, this new Honda makes a strong case for itself against the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Duster. Moreover, the quality of plastics, the fit and finish and the equipment list on the inside is tipped to rival the Creta. The pricing will be key, of course, but given the timid sales of the Mobilio, Honda wouldn’t want to risk another slow seller by outpricing itself.

So, yes, the Honda BR-V should be worth waiting for. It will be launched by mid-2016 and will sit above the Mobilio in pricing terms…but hopefully not by much.