Honda BR-V compact SUV – Everything you need to know

Honda Cars India is preparing for its next big launch that will take place this year, in the form of the brand new Honda BR-V compact SUV. Honda India has already revealed its display lineup for the 2016 Indian Auto Expo and has announced that the BR-V will be making its Indian debut at the event.

Here is a detailed look at the upcoming Honda BR-V:

Category

The name BR-V is an abbreviation of the ‘Bold Runabout Vehicle’ and it will mark the Honda’s venture into the Indian compact SUV mass market. It will be offered as a premium compact SUV model In India. The BR-V is based on the same extended Brio platform as the Mobilio and will be place above the MPV. It will also be the first 7-seater model in its own segment.

Mechanical specs

The new Honda BR-V will get a 1.5 liter diesel motor generating 100 PS of power and 200 Nm of torque coupled to a 6 speed manual transmission. The petrol version will get a 1.5 liter unit offering 118 PS and 145 Nm mated to a transmission choice of a 6 speed manual and a CVT unit.

Exterior & Interior

The new Honda BR-V compact SUV comes with great attractive looks and sporty styling which should be one of its primary buy-points. The front fascia of the BR-V is certainly inspired by the Honda India’s flagship model, the CR-V SUV. It is quite a big SUV model as well in the compact SUV segment of India, being considerably larger than the Renault Duster and slight shorter than the Mahindra Scorpio. Though much more stylish and premium looking, being based on the same platform and due to parts sharing, the BR-V has some similarities with the Mobilio MPV when looked at from a distance. The vehicle is eye-catching from all angles. Its rear design flaunts stretched wraparound tail lights which are connected with an attention drawing red reflective strip.

On the inside, the BR-V’s design and upholstery look pretty similar to its sedan cousin, the City while the interior layout and space are again alike the Mobilio. Features like touchscreen integrated infotainment system with navigation, armrest with cup holders and roof mounted air condition with three blower settings for the rear are expected.

Pricing & Expected launch

The Honda BR-V will have high localization level of around 90 percent and is expected to have a competitive pricing at par with its primary market rivals in India. The BR-V compact SUV is expected to launch in India in the first quarter of the next financial year that is in the April-June period.

Competitors

The Honda BR-V’s primary market rivals in India will be the premium compact SUV/crossover models like the Hyundai Creta and Maruti S-Cross. However, the base models of the BR-V will aim at eating into the demands of the sub-compact SUV models like the Ford EcoSport. With time, this stylish and sporty 7-seater family mover will also get increased competition for sure.