Honda recently entered the budget segment of the market with the launch of the Brio hatchback. Now, the Japanese carmaker has added the saloon version to further bolster its budget offering.
Hatch and saloon differences
While the hatchback version of this vehicle is aimed at the 18 to 24 year olds, Honda is hoping that this booted version will appeal to the 25-to-39-year-old set – small families and young couples. It’s to bridge the gap between the Brio hatch and the Honda Civic.
Aside from the obvious design changes, there are other differences between the hatch and saloon versions of this car. The face is a bit different and the wheelbase has increased by 55 mm. The latter has freed up more legroom. The most important bit – the boot offers 405 dm3 of luggage space.
Fit and finish
At this price level, you can’t expect the same quality as in the higher-priced Honda vehicles. Almost everything in the cabin is plastic, but quality feels high. I’m not mad about the colour combination though. That beige is something to get used to…
Engine and performance
Let me say from the start that you won’t be blown away by the engine’s performance. It’s a small 1,2-litre, four-cylinder, i-VTEC petrol engine with modest outputs of 65 kW at 6 000 r/min and 109 N.m of torque at 4 500 r/min. We were two-up in the car on the day of the launch and, while the engine wasn’t labouring, you have to make good use of the rev range and five-speed manual gearbox to get the best out of this car. It feels fine when you’re engaged in city driving and moving from robot to robot, but it can get a bit loud at highway speeds. And I do worry about having a car full of people and luggage should the need arise. That engine will struggle…
Standard features
The entire Brio range has been reworked with a new specification level added. There is now the option of Trend and Comfort spec levels, with Trend being the new entry level.
All models come fitted with ABS, EBD, driver and passenger airbags, electric windows and air-con as standard. The Comfort model that I drove at the launch comes with an MP3-compatible audio system with USB and aux inputs and steering wheel-mounted audio controls as standard. The Comfort model comes with the option of an auto ‘box. All Brios come with a two-year/30 000 km service plan and a three-year/100 000 km warranty.
Specifications:*
Model: Honda Brio 1,2 Comfort
Price: R136 900
Engine: 1,2-litre, four-cylinder, i-VTEC petrol
Power: 65 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 109 N.m of torque at 4 500 r/min
0-100 km/h: 12,5 seconds
Fuel consumption: 6,1 litres/100 km
CO2 emissions: 147 g/km
Service plan: 2 years/30 000 km
*According to the manufacturer.
Click here for more information about the Brio saloon range.
