After a bit of a hiatus, and a lot of teasing, Honda finally came through and gave us its 2019 Brio. With 150 total units sold in the first week of its launch, maybe the little break was all worth it.
Related: 2019 Honda Brio Review
Trust us. It was.
As Honda handed the keys of a brand new Brio RS in Taffeta White to us, we couldn't help but feel excited because this small car is a looker even when parked. The RS black top trim was a little stunner. To us at least, it is an attractive small car with modern angles and charming proportions. The front and the rear are handsome, as well as its side profile, thanks in part to the rear diffuser and front grille coupled with a spoiler to give this car a touch of sportiness
The cabin itself was spacious. Keeping in mind that this is a small car however, it did not feel like a compromise in terms of space. Leg room was good and the seats, though somewhat lacking in its bolstering, was comfortable enough for the journey. The 8-inch touchscreen head unit with Bluetooth, mated to the 6-speaker audio system was a valuable companion to us throughout the entire drive. To preface the performance of the engine, we didn't need to turn off the aircon for that extra bit of performance even on the uphill to Baguio.
The city slicker in the city.
We ended up taking EDSA to start our trip right. This is where the Brio would likely end up when it reaches the hands of its owners. With small wheels, and a relatively high stance, the subcompact was able to take on most potholes on the major thoroughfare with no problems. As we rolled on the rougher parts however, what got us was the build quality of the whole car since there was little to no rattling or vibrations.
It was very comfortable, surprisingly so. We couldn’t help but compare it with a bigger subcompact from Honda, the Jazz. Though it has a lot of good going for it, one small quirk we found was the lack of throttle response and the amount of brake pedal travel before we got a satisfying bite. The 1.2L engine proved itself on the road, going up to city speeds on a matter of a few well timed throttle inputs. Even at the lower end of the rev range the CVT transmission didn’t feel like it was confused – aside from the small bit of lag from the pedal itself. With all being said, our fuel economy was pegged at 10 km/L within the mercy of city traffic.
Small car on the highway?
Now, we would like to mention how great the Brio is on the highway. It isn’t a GT car that’s for sure, but the level of refinement that we initially felt sitting in the car extended to the highway. Don’t get us wrong, at lower speeds the 1.2L L-series engine is a capable little performer, but remember that the story changes once you need to break the 80 km/h mark on your speedometer. You do have to be more insistent with your throttle inputs. This netted us a fuel economy figure of 18 km/L semi-spirited driving.
Getting up to a respectable speed didn't take too long. Merging onto the highway and matching speed was just a matter of stabbing the throttle. What really got us was the lack of any wind noise that creeps into the cabin of cars of lesser build quality. Engine noise was kept to a minimum as well because once we were relegated to maintaining our speed, the transmission kept the engine speed low. The result is a surprisingly quiet and comfortable ride. There was not a lot of drone from the 1.2L and wind noise was very negligible. Only road noise was noticeable in this instance, but even then it was a non issue because it was tolerable; borderline negligible.
Can it Baguio? Yes it can.
Like on the highway, when the incline gets steep the engine makes a bit more noise. In the corners the little light car made easy work carving the canyons. Safe to say, even with a loaded cabin, it will manage just fine. The new platform that the Brio is based on gives you a sense of confidence to turn the wheel.
Verdict
Starting at P585,000, the Brio remains a formidable force in its segment. It offers a good feature set that is par for the course in its segment. It could use a backup sensor system though. Being one of the more powerful cars in its class, it couples that with the solid sound insulation and a quiet engine.
It's solidly built, and it is a car that can take you almost anywhere except for the trail. While the feature set isn't anemic, it is enough for your everyday needs. It'll be comfortable and well put together, the hallmark of Honda's experience with its small subcompact vehicles.
Brio Exterior Photo Gallery
Brio Interior Photo Gallery
Specifications
Engine
1.2 LFuel Type
GasolinePerformance
89 hp @ 6,000 rpmTransmission
CVT-
Summary
-
Name Honda Brio 1.2 RS Black Top CVT Body Type Hatchback Price ₱838,000 Transmission Category CVT -
Engine
-
Engine Size 1.2 L Displacement 1,199 cc Number of Cylinders 4 Number of Valves 16 Transmission Type Earth Dreams CVT -
Performance
-
Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive Max Output (hp) 89 hp @ 6,000 rpm Max Torque (nm) 110 Nm @ 4,800 rpm *estimated -
Economy & Environment
-
Fuel Type Gasoline Emissions Standard n/a Fuel Capacity 35.0 L Combined Fuel Consumption 6.5 km/L *estimated -
Dimensions
-
Length 3,815 mm Width 1,680 mm Height 1,485 mm Wheelbase 2,405 mm Turning Circle 9 m Ground Clearance 137 mm Trunk Capacity 258 L Number of Doors 5 Number of Seats 5 -
Safety & Security
-
Driver's Airbag Front Passenger's Airbag Side Airbags Curtain Airbags Knee Airbag Auto Brake System Electronic Brake Distribution Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) With Electronic Brake Force Distribution
Immobilizer Security Alarm Stability Control Electronic Door Locks Speed Sensing Door Locks ISOFIX Lane Departure Warning System Blind-Spot Detection System -
Features
-
Cruise Control Front Parking Sensors Rear Parking Sensors Leather Upholstery Push Start Button Wheel Size 15 in Wheels Metal Type RS Design Alloy Airconditioning System Manual Air Conditioning Entertainment System 7-inch Capacitive Touchscreen Audio with Bluetooth, Audio Streaming, and USB via 6 speakers Connectivity Bluetooth, USB Navigation Ready Warranty 3 Years (100,000 km) Keyless Entry Roof Rack Sunroof Electric Adjustable Seats Power Steering Power Windows Power Outlet Steering Wheel Audio Control -
Technology
-
Active Park Assist Hill Start Assist AWD Modes n/a Tire Pressure Monitoring Heads-up Display Power Liftgate Start-stop System
Colors
Latest Review
-
Black out or Back out? The New Ford Territory Sport goes dark / Review
Here’s a breakdown of what the Territory Sport brings to the table and how it holds up against the competition.
4.2 / 5 -
2024 BYD Dolphin Review / Review
We take a look at the BYD Dolphin to see if it’s a great gateway into EVs or if the affordable price is its only edge.
4.0 / 5 -
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy: bigger look, bigger price—is it worth it? / Review
The redesigned 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe captures attention with its larger size and rugged, boxy design. What can drivers expect from the latest model? Let’s go over the details.
4.4 / 5
Popular Articles
-
Cheapest cars under P700,000 in the Philippines
Jerome Tresvalles · Sep 02, 2024
-
First car or next car, the Ford EcoSport is a tough package to beat
Jun 18, 2021
-
Car Maintenance checklist and guide – here’s everything you need to know
Earl Lee · Jan 12, 2021
-
Most fuel efficient family cars in the Philippines
Bryan Aaron Rivera · Nov 27, 2020
-
2021 Geely Okavango — Everything you need to know
Joey Deriquito · Nov 19, 2020
-
Family cars in the Philippines with the biggest trunks
Sep 20, 2023
-
Head to head: Toyota Rush vs. Suzuki XL7
Joey Deriquito · Oct 28, 2020
-
Why oil changes are important for your car
Earl Lee · Nov 10, 2020
-
2021 Kia Stonic — What you need to know about it
Joey Deriquito · Oct 16, 2020
-
Top 7 tips for buying a used car in the Philippines
Joey Deriquito · Nov 26, 2020