Disclosure: Honda Cars Philippines Inc. kindly lent me a 2023 Honda BR-V S CVT for nine days. It arrived with a full tank of gas and loaded RFID cards. The company also treated me and other motoring media to breakfast, snacks, and lunch during the BR-V media drive. AutoFun Philippines paid for additional fuel, RFID load, and a carwash.

When I was in college, I owned an Isuzu Hi-Lander.

Those of you old enough to remember that car would know that it was the boxy predecessor to the venerable Isuzu Crosswind. My Hi-Lander was the midrange SLX model, which included power windows, power locks, power steering, two-tone paint, and not much else.

The test units I’ve been driving at AutoFun Philippines this past year often have whizzbang gizmos that were pipe dreams in mainstream cars a decade or two ago – stuff like adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, Android Auto, and air-conditioned seats.

Even the top-of-the-line Honda BR-V VX is loaded to the headliner with luxury and safety features, including the brand’s excellent Honda SENSING active-safety suite.

Many contend that all this tech not only waters down the driving experience but also makes drivers less proactive on the road.

But these are certainly not accusations that could be leveled against the Honda BR-V S CVT, which is the cheapest automatic model in the lineup. Much like my old Isuzu, you get “all power” features, alloy wheels, and nothing else.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) said the S CVT will be the best-seller of the BR-V range. But just what do you get when you go back to basics?

Anonymous styling

I’ll get it out of the way now – the BR-V doesn’t look as cool as its spaceship rival, the Hyundai Stargazer.

But this all-new model looks much better than the old BR-V, which I felt was just a Mobilio with far too much black plastic cladding tacked on. 

This 2023 model still has the cladding, but it’s more tastefully executed on the bottom part of the body and around the wheel arches. In addition, the 17-inch alloy wheels suit the BR-V well.

Up front, the pointed LED headlights lead to a large rectangular grill. These complement the trapezoidal lower grill and the inserts for the LED foglights.

At the rear, you get a fairly raked rear windscreen and large LED taillights. A character line across the tailgate sets off the number plate holder.

Overall, it’s a fine-looking multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), but I feel that it could have used some more of the styling mojo from its gorgeous crossover sibling, the Honda HR-V.

Plasticky cabin

When I had my BR-V test unit, HCPI invited me to a media drive with a few other motoring journalists driving other BR-V variants.

Comparing the S to their V and VX models, I found that my unit had a cloth interior, while theirs had leather. However, I found the hard-wearing fabric too rough, taking away from the more premium feel that the BR-V wants to exude among other MPVs.

This is worsened by the hard and scratchy plastics used on the dashboard and the door cards, which are not upholstered in the S (the V and VX get leather inserts). Overall, the materials really make you feel that you are in the base model.

Nonetheless, all the controls are easy to reach and logically placed, while the gauge cluster is clear. There are also plenty of cubby holes and cupholders to keep all your occupants happy, along with a maximum of 1,032 liters of cargo space.

The BR-V’s third row is roomy enough if you’re no more than 5’4”. However, the second row is not quite wide enough to fit three passengers comfortably, with the middle seat better suited for bags (or people on really short trips).

But one of this MPV’s saving graces is the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The other is the superb air-conditioning system, which could give me hypothermia even though my test unit had no tint.

Sprightly, but needs more comfort

Taking off from our breakfast spot in Bonifacio Global City, we were instructed to drive to Gourmet Farms in Silang, Cavite.

The one-and-a-half-hour trip took me out of the metro, through the South Luzon Expressway, and around some interesting mountain roads that tested the BR-V’s mettle.

It was very apparent that the BR-V is the most powerful MPV in its class, with decent torque starting 3,000 rpm and a strong and linear powerband all the way to its 6,800 rpm redline.

The steering was very light and direct, although lacking in feel, and the brakes provided strong stopping power, albeit with a spongy pedal. The ride comfort, however, is not quite so stellar.

The suspension on the BR-V felt a bit too hard compared to its rivals, especially the excellent Mitsubishi Xpander Cross. And although the Honda was very planted on smooth expressways and around corners, it jiggles and crashes over bumps in the city.

Making things worse was the driver’s seat which lacked thigh, lower back, and side support. The BR-V could also do with more soundproofing, as engine noise was particularly raucous under hard acceleration.

By the time I arrived at Gourmet Farms, my bones were not happy.

Excellent fuel consumption

But what made my tummy happy were the delicious pastries and fresh lemonade upon arrival.

Gourmet Farms is the first organic farm in the Philippines and offers a wide range of salads, coffees and tea blends in its shop. It also has a restaurant that uses ingredients that it grows.

We were treated to a coffee-roasting workshop by Gourmet Farms deputy director for sales and marketing Judd Reyes. There was also a chance to make coffee art like they do in fancy coffee shops.

With the activities done, we headed off to Escala in Tagaytay for a hearty lunch with a spectacular view of Taal Lake.

Accounting for all the driving I did that day, the BR-V returned superb fuel economy. I easily got 8 to 11 km/l in the city and 17 to 20 km/l on the expressway. Cruising at 100 km/h is at a steady 2,000 rpm.

You get what you pay for

At ₱1,150,000, the Honda BR-V S CVT offers a decent alternative to a top-spec subcompact sedan.

You give up the leather and goodies for a spacious and highly capable MPV that can seat seven-ish passengers and haul lots of cargo. The infotainment system and four standard airbags do their part to make the entry-level experience more palatable.

Overall, the BR-V S CVT is a fine, no-frills MPV that’s easy to drive – and HCPI is likely correct in going after buyers who want a car that fits this description. It’s the same sort of people who bought vehicles like my old Hi-Lander over two decades ago.

However, the BR-V will feel much more rewarding in the long term if you shell out some more for the V or VX models. Make sure to give them a try before you make a final choice on the variant you want.

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