OVERVIEW ;
Honda was always in need to hit the small hatch segment and that was answered by the Brio. It was the small hatch of the small hatches. Small, usable, idea for the city and efficient and reliable thanks to Honda. The Brio came out in 2011 and was an instant hit. But as time passed so did the sales figures. Now in 2017 Honda has introduced the new Brio. What are the changes in the new Honda Brio 2017? Are there any additional features? We share our detailed review of the new Honda Brio 2017.
EXTERIORS AN STYLE ;
The next generation Honda Brio will be based on the same platform the outgoing model is based on. The next generation of Brio will get a tweaked platform although. The modified platform will ensure rigidity and better safety. In terms of styling, the 2018 Honda Brio will come sporting a different looking compare to the outgoing model. The new generation Brio will sport aggressiveness and bit larger size. Expect the front fascia to come similar to the newly launched Honda Amaze facelift, sans the thick chrome grille.
The front grille receives a wider appearance with the Honda signature grille with the Honda logo at the centre. The headlamps sport a revamped touch as well. Expect the 2018 Honda Brio’s headlamps to come sleeker and with integrated LED daytime running lights. The lower fascia will get larger and bold looking air intake and large air dams at both sides housing the chrome highlighted fog lamp.
At the side profile, the car will sport redesigned alloy wheels, which will be available in the higher variants although. The lower variants will receive steel wheels. The wing mirrors with integrated side turning indicators. The shoulder line will be sharper and it will run upward toward the rear. The side profile would get crispy sharp character lines running upward. Moving toward the rear, the Brio might get a conventional frame instead of all glass appearance.
INTERIOR AND SPACE ;
Maximum changes are on the inside as you can notice the Honda Brio facelift gets a new dashboard, which is lifted straight from the Amaze facelift. However, the compact sedan gets a beige lower-half while the Brio gets all-black dashboard, which looks youthful. The range topping VX trim comes with all-black upholstery while the lower trims are offered with beige interiors. The steering remains the same but the instrument cluster is new featuring blue illuminated rings and new MID display. The centre console now offers a well integrated audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, audio quality is quite good for a car belonging to this segment. There is no auto climate control on offer but the digital AC controls which look like auto AC but are actually manual, is a neat touch.
There is a Max Cool function for the AC which actually puts the fan to max and lowest temperature setting, which is a good feature to have when it’s super hot and you just want the AC on full blast when you get inside the cabin. You also get power foldable and adjustable ORVMs with blinkers on the VX trim. The driver’s seat gets height adjustment along with steering wheel adjustment. The seats are comfortable and well spaced out, rear legroom is decent but three passengers at the back would be a tight fit. Boot space at 175-litres is average considering the bigger capacities of hatchbacks in this segment.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ;
The engine on the New Honda Brio 2017 is the same 1.2-litre unit. This mill churns about 88bhp of power and 115Nm of torque. The mechanicals remain the same. This engine is mated to a five-speed manual and also a CVT (automatic transmission) option. This i-VTEC engine is a highly refined mill. The good bit about New Honda Brio 2017 engine is its performance. It has more than sufficient power to drive in the city. In fact it is quite peppy. One doesn’t need to change gears often while driving in the city. Even on the highway, it can comfortably cruise at about 100-110km/hr.
Being the same engine the auto and the manual have different efficiency. Sometime back I had written an article where the automatic gave more. It is how brands develop the ecu for efficient management of power and efficiency. With an efficiency of 16 km/l and a 35 litre tank the auto can do 480 km till the next fuel pump and the manual with and efficiency of 19 km/l which is excellent for a 88bhp petrol small engine can do 580 km i.e exactly 100 km more than the automatic. If you love to drive, manual it is. If city traffic is what your nemesis is, then automatic
The new Honda Brio 2017 mileage is about 14km/l in the city and about 16km/l on the highway. The automatic will return bout 12km/l and 14km/l in the city and the highway. The ARAI mileage for the Brio will be about 19 km/l and 20 km/l (for the automatic).
RIDE AND HANDLING ;
Where this little Honda really, really impresses is in the ride and handling department. With its absolutely brilliantly damped suspension, driving over bumps, potholes and undulations is something you would barely notice. But the more impressive part is how the Honda boffins have managed to marry this great ride quality with a brilliant handling ability. While the ride is well damped and there is a bit of body roll if you chuck the car into a corner with some vigour, the almost square stance (thanks to its wide track and short wheelbase) combined with its brilliant suspension set-up and its specially stiffened chassis, allow this roll to be kept under control at all times. In fact, you’d have to be really ham-fisted and lead-footed (and slow-witted) to unintentionally break traction while going around corners. What aids this sure-footed chassis is an electrically-assisted steering that offers significantly better feedback than what any of Honda’s cars, or even a lot of its rival’s for that matter, have managed to do so far. So whether you are taking your family on a relaxing drive through the countryside, or enjoying that occasional B-road blast, the Brio does it all with the utmost of ease.
BRAKING AND SAFETY
The braking performance of the Brio is decent and on par with its rivals. The top version comes with ABS, further helping in the braking performance. The 175 mm-wide tyres also provide for a decent braking performance.
The front wheels have got ventilated disc brakes while the rear ones have drum brakes. The brakes do a good job in stopping this sprightly little hatch, thanks to the lightness of the car. The car has passive safety tech such as ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). The ABS system helps in case of sudden braking situations, and prevents the car from skidding and going out of control.
BOTTOMLINE ;
The Brio is said to be capable of delivering fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl, compared to the Jazz’s 16.7 kmpl. So, one key buyer need in the segment has been taken care of well. The cabin is roomy and fairly well insulated for a car in this segment. Suspension set up includes McPherson struts at the front and H-shape torsion beam at the rear. The ride is not the most pliant, but is fairly dynamic again for a car in this segment. The Brio is likely to be offered with four variants, with the top two variants featuring all the safety features like ABS, EBD and dual front airbags.