Honda Brio Review
Honda Discontinues Brio From The Indian Car Market
Next Generation Of Honda Brio To Debut In August 2018 During IIMS
2016 Honda Brio Launched with Price Tag of Rs. 4.69 lakh (ex-showroom price, New Delhi)
Honda to launch facelift Brio on October 4, 2016
Facelift 2016 Honda Brio unveiled in Indonesia
Honda Brio Expert Review
Indian small car market is among the highest growing segment of Indian auto market. Though a little late but finally the Japanese car major, Honda has made its entry in this segment with its all new and exclusive model, Honda Brio. The stunning car model made its first appearance at the New Delhi Auto Expo and bagged great response from the audience. As Honda Brio is the second hatchback model from much reliable Japanese car major, it had become a real talk of town prior to its launch.
The compact Honda car is molded in bold looks and encircles many advanced features which make it a real interesting Hatch in Indian auto market. Honda Brio is built keeping in mind the basic needs of the Indian customers from a hatchback. The dedicated design is evident from high fuel efficiency, anonymous styling and comfortable ground clearance. Thus we can say that Honda Brio is a package of smart styling along with advanced features. Moreover the lately launched Automatic Transmission or AT of Honda Brio has taken this contemporary hatch to next levels effortlessness. Besides the AT variants, Honda has also introduced a mid-level manual variant called EX MT.
Built on the 2CV concept the exteriors of Honda Brio hold some real attractive and bold crease lines along with a forward inclined stance. The company has taken many steps to make it a vibrant model; one can choose the color option from palate of exciting colors. The most striking and identifiable part of this car is its rear view. Honda Brio is designed beautifully at the rear with back lights mounted at the lower end and a large part is made in glass. Such design is never seen on Indian roads. The use of excess glass at rear has made the looks of this car really astonishing and attractive. The little detailing at the rear is again admirable from back. Low lined lamp compliment well with the overall theme of rear view.
Furthermore the interiors of Honda Brio are very trendy and complement the advanced outer surface very well. It has got enough space for the occupants and with incorporation of latest gadgetry it makes it one of the finest compact hatches available in recent times. Being a Honda product, Brio is outfitted with quality material that makes the passenger experience pleasurable during the journey. Likewise, there are many adequate safety features that take care of the occupants at the time of any mishap or sudden braking.
The Honda Brio comes powered by 1.2 litre, i-VTEC petrol engine of Honda Jazz hatchback, which at later stage might also get 1.0 litre engine. The displacement offered by Honda Brio is 1198 cc making it a real performance oriented hatchback in India. The engine used in Honda Brio runs on petrol and smoke out a top power of 88 Bhp at 6000 rpm and beating torque of 109 Nm at 4600 rpm. With the addition of Honda Brio Automatic it has now become a complete modern hatch to feast upon.
Honda Brio Rivals
Japanese automaker’s inaugural compact hatch Honda Brio forays in the entry level hatchback segment in the country, with hope to make it big in the coming times. But to sustain here, one need nerves, of which Honda Brio is capable. One of the close competitors at hand is Hyundai i10. Both the engines are of around same size that is 1.2L. But the performance is better of the Honda’s iconic i-VTEC engine that delivers more power output and torque figures compared to Korean hatch. Hyundai i10 has been the most hi-tech hatch prior to the arrival of Brio, which holds an upper hand in the same.
In terms of interior and exterior looks, i10 stands a bit aged compared to refreshed Honda Brio. The trendy appearing glass tail gate adds to the uniqueness of the Japan based hatch. The most vital aspect called—mileage-- actually makes i10 disappear from the scene, against Brio, as it has got much better figures of more than 18 kmpl on papers. Practically, Honda Brio caters around overall 15-17 kmpl, whereas i10 is pretty much lower in comparison. The small car offers such exciting features at a competitive price that it won’t take long to become the segment leader or the most preferred car in the base level slot.
On the other hand, is Maruti Swift, although the hatch is bigger in size but carries same 1.2L engine. In the tough battle of looks, Honda Brio grabs the award as it has all-new and modish design, while Swift’s is not a new one, rather it’s an extension to the earlier one. The interiors are more stylish and up market ones against Swift. However, the Maruti car interiors are not at all bad, but stand a bit lower in ranking compared to Brio’s futuristic. The overall performance and fuel efficiency in the petrol models is near about similar.
Honda Brio Direct Competitors Table | |||||
Model | Engine | Mileage (City/Highway) | Acceleration (0-100 kph) | Unique features | Price (Ex-Showroom, Delhi) |
Honda Brio Petrol | 1198cc | 14.5 kmpl/18.4 kmpl | 14.5 seconds | trendy looks, tested engine, price | Rs 4.12 Lakh |
Hyundai i10 Petrol | 1197cc | 16.5 kmpl/20.36 kmpl | 13 seconds | compact, variety of variants to choose from, features | Rs 4.66 Lakh |
Maruti Swift Petrol | 1197cc | 14.5 kmpl/ 18.6 kmpl | 12.2 seconds | best selling hatch, value for money, Maruti assurance | Rs 5.68 Lakh |
Special Features of Honda Brio
Fuel Economy - The light weight Honda Brio mileage is really impressive, with the high performance engine the car can give 19.4 kmpl of mileage in standard conditions (as per the ARAI test reports).
Light Weight - The kerb weight of Honda Brio is only 930 kgs, only the Etios Liva (900 kgs) is lighter than Brio in this segment. It light weight structure helps in improving the overall performance as well as the mileage of the car.
Smaller Size - With the 3.6 meter of length and 4.5 meters of turning radius, Honda Brio is a perfect city car with its small size. The car is smaller than all the competitor models of this segment, except Polo in height.
Tail Lamps - The tail lamps of Honda Brio is one of the eye catchy feature of the car. The triangular shaped newly designed tail lamps are neatly fitted at the corner of rear side and it easily catches the attraction of people driving behind it.
Glass Tail Gate - The all new Honda Brio doesn’t have the conventional metal tail gate, instead of that it has a large glass. Placing this large glass helps to reduce the overall wait of the car which further enhances the performance and mileage. Also, the visibility from this rear glass is excellent but safety and durability could be a point. However, the company claims that they have used a 5 mm thick tempered glass instead of conventional 3 mm glass by considering safety and durability. Honda has also made the rear frame of Honda Brio bit high to make the glass safe in case of any collision at rear side but it might not be a good thing for loading and unloading luggage.
Alloy Wheels - The top variants of the Honda Brio are available with the alloy wheels which not only give the car sporty and stylish look but also enhance the performance and mileage of car due to its light weight.
Honda Brio Mileage and Fuel Efficiency
Variants | Mileage (City) | Mileage (Highway) |
Honda Brio Manual Transmission | 14.5 kmpl | 19.4 kmpl |
Honda Brio Automatic | 12.5 kmpl | 16.5 kmpl |
The new eye candy from Honda is not just something from the horse’s mouth but also uniquely distinctive in the superb mileage performance that it showed. The Honda Brio is capable of delivering a mileage of 14.5 Kmpl in the city and significant 19.4 Kmpl (ARAI) on the highways. The Mileage of Honda Brio offered is truly amazing and something that will attract a lot of attention. These were the facts associated with the only petrol engine variant in the lineup, however the recently launched Honda Brio AT mileage is also capturing awareness as it get an ARAI validation of 16.5 kmpl, whereas the city mileage is comes near by 12.5 kmpl. Moreover, the upcoming Honda Brio diesel will surely provide a variety to the Brio fans as its 1.2L power train will provide an amazing fuel economy of nearly 25 kmpl.
Honda Brio Models and Features
Honda Brio Model | Special Features |
Honda Brio E MT | The entry level model has many striking features that comprise of Chrome front grille, Body colored front and rear bumpers, High mount stop lamp alongside electronic Power Steering and AC with Heater. The others aspects include convenient aspects like Front Power Windows, Central Locking and Tachometer along with Ignition off reminder. |
Honda Brio EX MT | The newly added variant has body colored outside door handles and ORVMs, 1-DIN music system that plays radio, MP3, USB with AUX-in and 2-speakers at front. Moreover the aspects are more or less similar to that of the base EX model of Honda Brio. |
Honda Brio S MT | The mid variant comes loaded with elements such as full trim wheels outside alongside integrated audio system that plays AM/FM, MP3 and supports USB and AUX-in. The other important features in this model consist of keyless entry, front & rear power windows together with convenient feature of accessory socket and others. |
Honda Brio V MT | This is the high end variant and it comprises of some exclusive features like solid looking alloy wheels, front bumper integrated with fog lamps for better safety and silver accented inside-door handles along with dual tone beige upholstery for apt up market feeling inside. The other features are more than the ‘S’ variant . |
Honda Brio VX MT | This tempting variant is kept just below the VX AT top end model. It brings you elements, like full trim wheels, tilt steering wheel, front & rear power windows along with front windows with one touch-down features. |
Honda Brio VX AT | The novel Automatic Transmissoin system top end model has got everything that makes life easy for occupants inside the cabin. And this consists of features such as dual tone beige interior, seat belts with load limiter. It is carries a 5 speed automatic transmission system. The other features are same as regular top end VX MT version of Honda Brio. |
Honda Brio Diesel | With the assistance of Honda’s admired project ‘Earth Dreams Technology’ the diesel plant ‘i-DTEC’ is under development in Japan. The most anticipated diesel-run mill will initially power Honda Brio diesel variant with its 1.2L motor under its bonnet that will smoke out sheer power and peppy torque along with efficient performance that is sure to excite the diesel car lovers in India. |
Honda Brio Colors
The Japanese beauty Honda Brio soothes every eye with its elegantly designed modish exteriors that senses a kind of incompleteness without its scintillating colors. The impressive Honda Brio colors comprise of Taffeta White, Alabaster Silver, Energetic Blue, Crystal Black Pearl, Urban Titanium and Rally Red. The most in demand colors of cute hatch are Rally Red and Energetic Blue.
Crystal Black Pearl | Alabaster Silver | Energetic Blue | Urban Titanium | Rally Red | Taffeta White |
Click Here to see more Honda Brio Photos
Honda Brio Engine, Power and Performance
1.2L i-VTEC Petrol
The already gaining attention, Honda Brio is power packed with the same technology as Jazz, loaded with superior 1.2L i-VTEC petrol engine with a displacement of 1197 cc which is very much impressive. The 4-cylinder engine based on the Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control which is very much common with other cars from the company such as Jazz is indeed a power house of superb performance and credibility. The refined Honda Brio engine outpours 88 PS of maximum power and peak torque of 109 Nm at 4500 rpm. Moreover these numbers get added refinement with the addition of Honda Brio AT model, which delivers superb performance with hassle-free gear shift.
Also there is much of expectation from the company releasing another engine with more capacity for Brio in the near future. The most awaited Honda Brio diesel variant will have a 1.2L motor under its bonnet that will be skilled enough to smoke out sheer power and peppy torque along with efficient performance for the diesel compact car lovers in the country.
Honda Brio Pick Up and Acceleration
Engine | Power (PS/RPM) | Torqure (Nm/RPM) | Acceleration (0 - 100 kmph) | Top Speed |
1.2L, i-VTEC Petrol Engine | 88/6000 | 109/4600 | 14.5 seconds | 164 kmph |
The bold and powerful 1.2L I-VTEC petrol engine of Honda Brio has got decent acceleration that is much needed in the urban environment. Hence it churns out a sheer power of 88 ps at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 109 Nm at 4500 rpm. The Engine has a superb pickup reaching 0-100 within a span of 14.5 seconds and delivers a top speed of about 164 Km/h at an effortless ease. Together with the I-VTEC Technology, Honda Brio turns out to be a perfect blend of power and performance. Furthermore your ride will now be effortless with the incorporation of AT mechanism under the hood of Honda Brio. On the whole, Honda Brio pickup is superb, tested from every angle and up till now rated as the best offering in terms of smooth acceleration in the segment.
Honda Brio Interiors and Features
Though compact and a bit tiny but Honda Brio still matches excellence in craftsmanship with the overall packaging of the car being very thoughtful. The cabin has enough space for four people to sit in and relax with comfort; however trying comfort with three stout people at the rear would definitely be difficult, but with medium sized adults it will do. The Honda Brio has a good comfortable legroom with ample headroom as well. The only thing that looks a bit too odd is that the car appears relatively small from inside, although there is pretty apt room. The seats are beautifully designed with thin backrests giving minimal occupied space and hence increasing the space for the passenger. The scooped out glove box also occupies less space and increases the legroom somewhat. The door pads utilized are minimalistic as well. Yielding plenty of space with not even a single aspect to have compromised, the Honda Brio interiors are definitely well made.
However, there are several other issues that count in the cost cutting including the lack of adjustable headrests. Moreover, the outside panorama view from the pane rear glass looks wonderful. There compact Honda car boasts a trendy and sporty looking steering of that is nice to hold with firm grip and the attractive hooded dials with the gauges look beautiful and well illuminated. Moreover, the dashboard of Honda Brio beautiful & well finished, whilst the moldings are nice together with the instrument panel well in place. The armrests are quite comfortable, the gear knob, body colored mirrors, the in-built audio system with USB support and the super cool AC of Honda Brio are some truly brilliant features.
Honda Brio Exteriors and Features
These days the hatchbacks are not merely for commuting to and fro but are a style statement especially for the young blood in India. Taping the same, Honda has presented its first hatch with all that a young mind would ask for. And they said ‘style statement’ begins from first impression that is the outer surface. The fashionable looking exteriors of compact hatch Honda Brio has got all sorts of ‘trendiness’ in it. First of all, the colors that are offered are fantabulous with some deep glossy paint job done elegantly on Honda Brio exteriors results in perfect finish.
The distinct sculpture of Honda Brio has been excellently designed and appears simply eye grabbing. The drop-shaped headlamps resemble a compact form of headlamps that were seen in previous generation Toyota Innova. The fascia looks truly elegant and beautiful with the chrome strip and grille featuring the company insignia at the centre. Honda Brio has got ideal aerodynamics and honest cuts through the air in a firm and swift manner. The sides have flared-out wheel arches that go well with the overall design of Honda Brio. The experimentative rear has come good and looks first-class with all glass tail gate, which is of a solid make and fitted aptly, moreover it is not fragile and can be shut with heavy hands too. The crystal clear tail lamps are cutely placed on the either sides.
The shoulder line of the vehicle is attractive and the C-pillar provides a unique flow towards the front edge and the top. The sight of fine-looking Honda Brio becomes bold and threatening with use of 175/65 R14 tyres that come with 10-spoke alloy wheel. Here Honda has very well managed to end up in giving a diverse product and not embracing any styling cues of larger hatch Honda Jazz and that too with very smoothly.
Safety Features in Honda Brio
Honda has always been practical when it comes to safety and hence has incorporated many safety features in this compact car, which ensures the safety of driver and occupants. This includes G-CON technology that absorbs the major impact at the time of accident, while there are dual i-SRS airbags that reduce the impact on the driver along with co-driver in the front. Passive feature include Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) which act sin better control of the compact car Honda Brio. Moreover, there are seatbelts with pre-tensioners that have load limiter, which tightens to keep the body firmly in place at the time of mishap, besides that, this trendy hatch has also gone through the toughest crash tests at the Honda Crash Test Facility.
Honda Brio Driving and Handling
The Incredibly light weight machine is swiftly on to 100 Km/h with tremendous acceleration and steering responsive. The Electric Steering is super responsive. With a shorter wheelbase, the car has a good turning radius. Moreover, the new Honda Brio offers a relaxing drive all the way with stable speeds. Despite the light weight, grip is significantly firm even at the corners. Not to forget the suspensions those are equally appreciable and provide a less bumpy ride. The Car definitely suits Indian Roads and meets all driving standards. Together with a good braking pedal action and a smoother transmission, the all new Brio will soon be watched rocking the roads.
Honda Brio Accessories
Honda here offers the accessories for Honda Brio in a new form with two accessories packages to choose from, one is Active Package and other is Mode Package. The accessories for outer surface comprise of Chrome accented door protector at the door handles, front and rear protector along with side protector. Moreover, there is side step garnished with blue illumination together with cargo space protector at the rear.
The Active package includes sporty tail gate spoiler teamed up with chrome exhaust finisher for utmost premium-ness at the back and door-visors for all four doors. In order to lighten up the interiors more there is Wood finish interior panel that provides a feel of high-end luxury sedan at the front with wooden inserts-like finish at instrument panel and center console, furthermore there is floor mats in beige and black shade.
Honda Brio Road Test Report
Honda Brio hatchback is the first offering from Brio that has been priced so aggressively, else Honda is known for rendering pricey cars. This hatchback has been able to upsurge Honda’s pale sales in India, leaving behind the flagship City sedan in monthly sales and emerging a crusader for the Japanese car cos. Under the hood resides the 1.2 litre i-VTEC petrol engine, the same tried and tested mill that powers Honda Jazz. The tweaked engine comes with a displacement of 1198cc, engendering power and torque figures of 88 PS at 6000 Rpm and 109 Nm of torque at 4,600 Rpm respectively. Accorded to a five speed manual transmission, it flings power as well as torque to the wheels in the front side of the car, and has altered ratios that are appropriate to utilize the changed mode of the engine.
The mammoth amount of precision rendered to the tweaked engine is what makes it render a good performance. One major difference between the Brio’s engine and that of Jazz’s is the gearing along with ECU factors. The mill can propel from zilch to 60kph in just 5 seconds and can achieve the mark of 100 kph within 12 seconds. The petite hatch from Honda gets full marks in the ride and handling segment.
Thanks to the magnificently moistened suspension, the car rides smoothly even on erratic areas, bumps, potholes and as series of wavelike bends on the roads. What is even more imposing is the way the Honda engineers have managed to harmonize the outstanding ride quality with a magnificent handling ability. There is a slight body roll if you toss the car into a corner with some vehemence. The carriage of the hatch is close to square which when combined with the excellent suspension and solidified chassis, permits this roll to stay under control all the time.
The electrically assisted steering supports the solidified chassis which offers a much improved feedback in comparison to any other car from Honda stable or any of its contemporaries for that matter. Hence Honda Brio is a perfect choice to be ridden on the rural terrain while you are out on a trip with your family and folks or the incidental B-road.
Packed with features that are mostly seen in the sedans, it renders it an urban look. The top end version is also bestowed with safety features like the anti brake system, the electronic brake force distribution and SRS airbags, all these features make Brio an irresistible grab.
Honda Brio can therefore be tagged as a perfect city car with an uber chic look and ample of features equipped inside. Brio gets it right in all the departments including the convenience, comfort, driving pleasure and this time Honda has not priced it too high, it is within the reach of a middle class family. Its styling and design make it conspicuous amongst its rivals and that what Honda in known for, though present only in petrol version, the hatch still has been able to pull good numbers so far, wonder what the diesel version will do.
Honda Brio Conclusion
Honda deserves a pat on its back for coming up with a distinctive compact car in the crowded hatchback segment. The small car was the most awaited among the Honda lovers in the country. The company has been serving mature people with its executive sedan Honda City for more than a decade, and it now wants to penetrate its brand image into country’s younger hearts. And in the same, it has been very well succeeded; the overwhelming booking orders at the reopening are a practical proof of that. The pricing across its range has also been the crucial turn-on for the hatchback lovers in India. Be it compact exterior designing or the trendy and quality interior in the cabin along with engaging and handy features, the compact mini car is very well adapts to the needs of today’s driver and occupants.
Now the company wants to cherish Brio’s success for long, hence it decides to use this win-win platform for the development of Brio based compact sedan called ‘Honda Amaze’ and an unnamed compact MPV. The amazing part with Amaze saloon is that it will also be offered in one of a kind diesel guise, which will also pave way for Honda Brio Diesel hatchback in coming times. Currently, the newly launched Automatic Transmission (AT) variant of Honda Brio is also gathering many accolades in the market.
Honda Brio FAQs
Q1: What is the mileage of Honda Brio AT model?
Answer: The ARAI certified Honda Brio AT mileage is of 16.5 kmpl, while practically in city one can achieve around 10-11 kmpl and on longer routes it will go up to 14 kmpl.
Q2: Which are the Honda Brio versions that have Automatic mechanism?
Answer: There are two models offered in the lineup of Honda Brio that consists of S (O) AT and V AT. Both these models are top two of the manual transmission range.
Q3: Is Honda Brio Diesel coming to India?
Answer: No. There are no confirmations from the company about the Honda Brio diesel launch in India. Moreover, Japanese automaker is launching Brio-based Honda Amaze sedan in the country.
Q4: What is the price of Honda Brio for entry level model?
Answer: The base model is Honda Brio E MT, which is priced at Rs 4.10 lakh (ex showroom, Delhi).
Q5: What is the top speed and acceleration of Honda Brio?
Answer: The Honda Brio top speed is of 164 kmph and it also accelerates well from 0-100 kph in only 14.5 seconds.
Honda Brio Variants
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