2017 Honda BR-V Previewed In Malaysia – An Alternative To Rush, Alza, Avanza, Grand Livina

Buying Guides

Honda has previewed the long-awaited 2017 Honda BR-V at the Malaysia Auto Show 2016, which opens today at the MINES Convention Centre in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

Due to be launched in early 2017, the seven-seater Honda BR-V is aimed at the Toyota Rush, Toyota Avanza, Nissan Grand Livina, and to a certain extent, the Perodua Alza and Proton Exora.

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What is it?

It is a seven-seater crossover that despite the name, is completely unrelated to the City/Jazz-based HR-V or the larger CR-V.

Instead, the BR-V is entry model seven-seater that is closely based on the Honda Mobilio – a seven-seater MPV sold in Indonesia, and the Brio/Brio Amaze hatchback-sedan twins sold in Thailand and Indonesia.

While it is marketed as an crossover, the BR-V does not come have 4WD, but instead comes with third row seats, making it a direct competitor to Toyota’s slow-selling Rush.

Its seven-seater capacity also puts it in competition with other entry-level MPVs in the market – namely the Toyota Avanza, Nissan Grand Livina, and higher range variants of the Perodua Alza and Proton Exora.

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What is the engine powering it?

Power comes from a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC engine that produces 120 PS at 6,600 rpm – which Honda claims is the highest in its class, and 145 Nm at 4,600 rpm. Drive is transferred to the front wheels via a CVT-type automatic.

The engine and transmission are shared with the Honda Jazz and City.

How safe is it?

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The full specifications have yet to be announced but higher range variants of the BR-V will certainly be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC, or VSA as Honda calls it).

The car has been given a 5-star rating by ASEAN NCAP, applicable only to models equipped with VSA.

That’s a lot better than all of its competitors in the segment, most of which don’t have ESC. Only the hi-specs variants of the Proton Exora come close, which has side airbags and ESC but no curtain airbags.

The Toyota Rush, Avanza, Nissan Grand Livina and Perodua Alza – all are rated 4 stars by ASEAN NCAP, only makes do with a basic two-airbag and ABS combo. 

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Is it any good inside?

The BR-V is developed as an entry-level product so don’t expect to be as refined as the HR-V inside. As the car has yet to be launched, the display car's first row section is covered, but based on our brief driving experience of a pre-production Indonesian-market model in Japan, the dashboard looks similar to the ones used in the City, Jazz and HR-V, complete with piano-black trimmings and touch-screen infotainment system, which makes for a good first impression.

During our brief driving impression of a pre-production BR-V model in Japan late last year, we noted that the car does not come with dome light (but it has a map light in front) in the cabin, and the boot is not illuminated.

There is however a roof-mounted blower on the second row section, which draws cool air from the front and directs them to the second and third row – a major plus point over the Nissan Grand Livina.

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The two halves of the second row seats can slide forwards and backwards individually, freeing more legroom for occupants in the third row. That’s a major plus point over the Rush, Avanza and Grand Livina.

Both sides of the second row seat can be folded and tumbled forward with just a one-touch operation, and is a lot simpler to operate than the Nissan Grand Livina.

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The third not only split folds 50:50, but can also be tumbled forward simply by tugging a strap.

Honda also claims that the BR-V’s legroom in the third row is class-leading. The third row’s seatbacks can also be adjusted to either of two angles for better comfort.

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How much is it?

Prices will only be announced when we get closer to the BR-V’s launch date in early-2017, but it will certainly be priced close to the Toyota Rush, Avanza and Nissan Grand Livina, so do expect a starting price of around RM100,000 or less.

Read about our brief test drive of the Honda BR-V here.

Gallery: 2016 Honda BR-V @ GIIAS 2015 Live Gallery

Gallery: 2016 Honda BR-V Quick Review In Japan

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