IT’S been relatively slim pickings for South African families on a budget. Shopping for a new car with R150 000 or less to spend has meant opting for a small hatchback short on space and practicality. Sure, there is the option of a flashy car from a manufacturer with less, shall we say, well-known credentials. But then long-term durability, after-sales back-up and safety levels are valid concerns.
Thankfully, a number of big names started coming up with solutions and have offered family sized cars at this end of the market. First was Chevrolet
with its Aveo saloon, then Volks-wagen launched its booted Vivo, and Toyota brought its Etios to SA in hatch and sedan versions. Now Honda has joined the party with its four-door Brio.
Like the hatchback, the Brio sedan uses a 1,2-litre, four-cylinder, i-VTEC petrol engine with a modest power output of 65 kW at 6 000 r/min. The delivery is slow but steady. To carry out any quick (relatively speaking) acceleration requires clever cog-swapping of the five-speed manual transmission to make full use of the rev range. The 4 500 r/min mark is where the maximum torque of 109 N.m kicks in and, while the Brio won’t win a drag race any time soon, the engine and slick gearbox combination does at least feel robust. The worry is when there’s a whole family plus luggage squeezed into the Brio. The added weight hamstrings this humble performer and any overtaking manoeuvres must be carried out with caution. An extra warning: should you find yourself travelling at the national speed limit and you need to safely overtake a slower-moving vehicle, keep in mind that there’s a speed limiter at 137 km/h.
The steering is lifeless and vague. As a result, you are never certain of what the front wheels are doing. However, this light steering makes for easy parking. Furthermore, the ride quality is impressive. The suspension does a good job of isolating occupants from road scars. There’s a trade-off, however; the Brio does lean a fair bit when cornering.
That said, in this segment, ride quality and handling aren’t exactly high up on the list for those looking to buy a saloon. Boot space makes or breaks a car such as this.
With a luggage capacity of 360 dm3, the Brio offers less space than the Volkswagen Vivo and Toyota Etios, which have luggage capacities of 392 dm3 and a class-leading 504 dm3 respectively. Like those cars, the Brio’s rear seats don’t fold. Rear legroom, however, is ample and there’s an airy feel to the cabin – a fact the sedan can attribute to its 2 400 mm wheelbase (55 mm longer than the Brio hatch’s).
With rising fuel prices, consumption is a big consideration, especially at this end of the market. With a fuel-index figure of 7,32 litres/100 km and a tank capacity of 35 litres, the Brio has an estimated tank range of 478 km, long enough to stretch the car’s legs and take the family on a lengthy road trip.
For this trip, the family can also sing along to its favourite tunes thanks to an audio suite comprising a radio with USB and auxiliary functionality. There’s no CD player, though, so those who like to keep it old-school should invest in an external-storage device. You also have the added benefit of steering-wheel controls. Other standard features include electric windows, air-conditioning and height adjustment for the driver’s seat.
To ensure that occupants are as safe as possible, Honda has equipped the Brio with central locking, driver and passenger airbags and ABS with EBD.
Test Summary
The Brio has its flaws. It’s not the most powerful in its class; it doesn’t offer the most luggage space; and doesn’t feel as solidly built as the Vivo. What it does have, however, is a roomy cabin and a generous amount of standard specification. These are significant attributes, making it a close call between this model and its rivals.
The Brio sedan is worth considering if you’re shopping in this segment, especially when you take into account Honda’s sterling reputation as one of the market leaders in after-sales support.
