The Honda BR-V is ready for launch and has just recently passed the ASEAN-NCAP series of crash tests. The model has also received a 5-star rating for the adult passenger protection features offered on some of its variants.
Scheduled for launch on the very first day of May, the crossover offers Electronic Stability Program, and Seatbelt Reminder on is top trim variants. The Seatbelt reminder feature is offered on both, the driver’s seat and the co-passenger’s seat.
The base and mid-trim variants also have salient safety features that have earned them 4-star rating for the adult passenger safety department. On the child safety front, all variants of the model have received 4-star rating and 72 percent score overall.
The standard safety features available across the various variants of the model include dual airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Advanced Compatibility Engineering for impact buffering, and Vehicle Stability Assist. The Indian spec model is expected to get the full-frontal airbags and the ABS as standard across all variants.
The exterior features of the BR-V is a perfect mix of uniqueness and familiarity to the brand. The sleek front fascia resembles the Honda City sedan, owing to the headlamps design. The front grille is muscular and the overall exterior gets generous chrome accents. The back profile of the car features uniquely styled tail lamps with prominent chrome accents at the tailgate.
The interiors of the 7-seater is spacious and comfortable. The car get a beige profile with leather option for the upholstery. There will be push start and leather seats, and a large touchscreen display with the infotainment system.
The engine the car is getting is the 1.5 liter i-VTEC and i-DTEC units. The petrol mill will offer up to 119PS of max power and a max torque of 145Nm. The diesel variant will churn up to 100PS power and 200Nm torque.
The petrol engine is reported to be mated to a 5-speed MT as standard, with the option for CVT. The diesel version might get the same, or even a 6-speed MT. Automatic transmission is however, still not in the cards. The car will get the AWD powertrain in the future, but as of now, it comes with FWD.
Launching on 1st May, the BR-V is being produced at the Tapukara plant of Honda, located in Rajasthan. The car is being produced with a huge percentage of localization. When in the market, the car will battle with segment leaders like the Renault Duster, the rapidly growing success of the Hyundai Creta, and also the Nissan Terrano. It will face competition from the Vitara Brezza, the first homegrown launch from Maruti Suzuki.
With all the top brands aggressively notching up their crossover and compact SUVs game with the rising demand for the segment in the market, the competition will not be easy. But Honda is ready for competition with the above-mentioned cars, and also with the Mahindra Scorpio, arguably the most popular product from the SUV specialist of the country. The Tata Safari Storme too stands the chance of a setback in sales after the BR-V is launched.
