Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) recently hosted a belated Mother’s Day outing to honor hardworking moms in the motoring beat. The intimate gathering was a perfect venue to get to know HCPI’s newly installed president, the very affable Rie Miyake, who is in fact, an empowered mother herself. Over breakfast, we exchanged stories of the challenges we face daily as moms, and how we strive to achieve so-called work-life balance. It was the general consensus that our being masters of multi-tasking was the key.
Woman empowerment is strong at Honda (L to R) Front: Marnie Manicad, Principal Director, Turbo Zone; Rie Miyake, President, HCPI; Misa Abe – Assistant Vice President, HCPI. Back: Maricel Quilao, Communications Department Manager, HCPI; Arra Castro – Tan; Hazel Imperial – Tan, Visor; Arabelle Jimenez, Motourismo; Jenny Bleza – Pineda, STV; Mika Fernandez-David, ignition.ph; Colene Jalalon, Public Relations Coordinator, HCPI; Lyka Andres, Public Relations Manager, HCPI; Maiko Viar, Product Planning Manager, HCPI.
An ideal daily driver
It’s easy to see why HCPI has sold over 27 thousand BR-V units since its launch in 2016. Similar to how moms need to wear many hats, the BR-V is versatile and has many characteristics that make it an ideal daily driver. With Waze leading the way through the backroads heading to Tagaytay, the BR-V 1.5 VX CVT Honda Sensing assigned to me was a joy to drive despite the extended distance. It had the amenities I needed for a great road trip: good air conditioning to keep the cabin cool, wireless connectivity for my navigation and music apps, comfortable seating, and dependability that made me feel safe and confident while driving.
When I say that the all-new BR-V drives like a typical Honda, I mean it in a good way. Its 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine is responsive and can pack a punch when needed, and its CVT transmission provides smooth and predictable shifting. Despite its compact size, driving beside bigger vehicles on the expressways was not intimidating because of its solid build as well as the Honda Sensing suite that came with the variant. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – Honda Sensing has one of the most refined safety-suite interphases we’ve tried because warnings are subtle yet still very effective.
According to the onboard computer, I was able to drive up to 16 kilometers per liter at one point but averaged around 13km/l driving around town for a week. Still, not bad numbers considering I was never consciously in fuel-economy mode and was just driving normally. Maneuvering (and parking!) in urban streets is an easy task without the steering wheel feeling overly light. Thanks to the driver’s seat being fully adjustable, albeit manually, attaining optimal driving position is likewise a breeze.
At its price point, the all-new BR-V offers many amenities that improve the overall driving experience. Its One-Push Start System (available on the S CVT, V, VX) and Smart Keyless Entry (V, VX) are often overlooked but are actually great quality-of-life features to have on a daily driver. Similarly, its 7-inch Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity which also displays the reverse camera and LaneWatch feeds, is also a great help.
With the styling of an SUV and the versatility of an MPV, the BR-V can go from a people mover to hauling odd-shaped cargo or a month’s load of groceries just by folding a few seats. Its size is just right, and its multiway seats and high headroom makes it possible to adjust for preference and comfort. More importantly, because its ground clearance is similar to that of a sedan, getting in and out of the vehicle is easy for kids and seniors with mobility issues.
The all-new Honda BR-V is just the right size for a daily driver | Photos by Mika Fernandez David
At Php 1,390,000, the top-of-the-line BR-V VX CVT Honda Sensing is the brand’s most affordable 7-seater with its signature safety package. For this model, the suite includes Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS); Auto-High Beam (AHB); Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS); Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN); Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane; Departure Warning (RDM with LDW); and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) – that come with an easy-to-use, non-intimidating user experience that makes drives all the safer.
Aside from fitting your budget, remember that safety, reliability, and versatility should be top of mind when choosing a new vehicle for your family. The next time you are in the market for a 7-seater, be sure to give the all-new BR-V a try.
Click here for the complete specs of the all-new Honda BR-V.
To learn more about Honda Cars, visit www.hondaphil.com.