The updated 2024 Honda City made waves ahead of its July 13, 2023 launch for having the Honda SENSING active-safety suite as standard in all variants.

But apparently, it’s not the only revamped model that’s coming out that day. Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) announced that it is also officially debuting the facelifted 2024 Honda Brio hatchback.

Like the City, the revamped Brio will be on display at the SM Megamall Mega Fashion Mall in Mandaluyong City from July 13 to 16.

The timing is interesting – HCPI’s announcement was made after Toyota Motor Philippines made public that it would launch the Brio’s biggest rival, the all-new Wigo, on July 14, 2023.

Stronger styling

Although HCPI has not yet announced the final specifications, the updated Brio was first unveiled on May 2023 in Indonesia.

It comes in two variants there – the regular model and the RS. Changes were generally cosmetic, with subtle interior and exterior revisions to give the little Honda hatchback a fresher look.

The standard Brio gets new 14-inch alloy wheels, revised front and rear bumpers, redesigned headlights with LED daytime running lights, a revamped chrome grill and new gray cloth upholstery.

Meanwhile, the sporty RS model receives full LED headlights and foglights, a dark-chrome front grill, gloss-black retractable side mirrors and dark-chrome 15-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the Brio RS, drivers now face a restyled dashboard with red and gray lining, a new seat design, a push-start button and a sporty gauge cluster with red accents. There’s also a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with steering-wheel controls.

Bigger engine

Under the hood, the updated Brio has an ace against the upcoming all-new Wigo.

It retains its 1.2-liter, single-cam, 16-valve, inline-4 gasoline engine producing 90 PS and 110 Nm.

Meanwhile, the little Toyota will likely get the 1.0-liter, twin-cam, 12-valve inline-3 gasoline engine from its siblings, the Perodua Axia and the Daihatsu Ayla. This pumps out 67 PS and 89 Nm of torque.

In other markets like Vietnam, the Wigo gets the 1.2-liter inline-3 motor from the larger Toyota Raize. This larger motor better competes with the Brio because it produces 88 PS and 113 Nm of torque.

In Indonesia, the revamped Brio only comes with a continuously variable transmission. However, the Philippine-market model will likely carry over the 5-speed manual available in the current model.

Looks like next week is going to be a subcompact hatch showdown. Which do you think is better?

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