High on the highway: The 1198cc four-cylinder engine in the Brio is zippy yet frugal

Honda’s track record in India is one that many a premium brand would snap up in an instant if it were up for grabs. The fact that Honda has successfully dominated almost every segment it has entered is a testimony that only bolsters this theory further. Their cars reek of quality and reliability and those kinds of traits have now become synonymous with the brand.

With its latest offering, the Brio, Honda plans to further cement this fact and breaking the stronghold that Maruti and Hyundai have in the small car segment. On the outset, the Brio seems to be a capable rival that can fend off the likes of the Swift and the premium i20, but will it have the appeal to dominate the category like the other cars offered by the brand?

One of the first things to strike you once you get in is that Honda has optimised this car to make the front seats a priority with regard to space. The rear seat and boot space, as a result, are slightly compromised. On the outside, Honda has been quite aggressive with the design; the tipped forward stance of the Brio with the large, fighter aircraft-like fake air intakes under the headlights give this car plenty of attitude. The low window line gives great all-round visibility from the front seats.

Under the hood, you will find the same engine that powers the Jazz in India. The 1198cc four-cylinder engine with 90bhp feels extremely active. The power-to-weight ratio is also bumped up in comparison to the Jazz, thanks to the 70kg deficit that the Brio enjoys. The engine remains smooth and rev-happy while providing class-leading fuel efficiency.

The electrically-adjusted steering found in this Honda small car is a breeze to work through traffic, and as a result, cross-town journeys feel less stressful too. The steering does suffer from a slightly vague feel and a complete lack of communication with the road though. Also, low speed ride quality has suffered to a certain extent with many road undulations filtering into the cabin. High-speed mannerisms are much better, and the Brio feels quite planted. While taking corners slightly hard, the Brio has good grip and adequate stopping power. Overall, this Honda makes for quite a relaxing car to drive, much like the Jazz. In fact, the only significant differentiator between the two cars is the contrast in cabin sizes.

The Brio’s wheelbase is shorter than the one on the Jazz by 150mm. In spite of that, it can still seat four six-footers in decent comfort. Honda has installed seats with thin backrests, the scooped-out glovebox allows the passenger a bit more legroom and the doorpads used are very minimalistic as well, yielding plenty of additional space in the process.

Cost cutting, however, is evident. The seats have no adjustable headrest, only a pane rear glass is used instead of a costly hatch and there is no rear defogger or wiper. Despite the general cost savings, the Brio’s interiors feel well-made. The chunky steering is nice to hold, the hooded dials look attractive and the plastic quality is better than you would expect.

The Honda Brio marks itself out by being an excellent city car with spacious interiors, a zippy, yet, frugal engine, attractive looks and a Honda badge to further sweeten the deal. If Honda can price the Brio well, then Maruti and Hyundai can expect to have a rather feisty fight on their hands. Post the terrible earthquake in Japan, Honda is looking to launch the car by the end of the year.

spec check

honda brio 1.2 V

Price: Rs 4.5 lakh (est)
L/W/H: 3610/1680/1485mm
Wheelbase: 2345mm
Kerb weight: 925kg-950kg
Engine: 4 cyls in-line, 1198cc, petrol/ front, transverse, front-wheel-drive
Power: 90bhp at 6000rpm
Torque: 11.2kgm at 4800rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual/ CVT automatic
Suspension (F/R): MacPherson struts with anti-roll bar/ torsion beam
Brakes (F/R): Discs/ drums